Hair Loss in Women: Facts and Solutions

Hormonal problems, a change in hormonal levels during menopause, and certain autoimmune diseases are among the leading causes of hair loss in women. Sometimes the loss will only be temporary such as following childbirth, after experiencing an event that traumatizes the emotions, following major surgery, poor eating habits resulting in nutritional deficiencies and as a side effect of dieting. Certain ongoing medical conditions such as thyroid disease and anemia can cause hair loss in women, as do certain medications. in some instances, female hair loss can be linked to heredity.

If a woman suspects she may be affected by female pattern baldness, it is wise to get an examination by a medical doctor specializing in this condition in order for an effective treatment program to be pursued. The American Academy of Dermatology offers a referral service to find a suitable physician to address the problem. A complete blood count is one of the tests that can often determine if balding is occuring, along with taking a complete patient history in order to determine the most likely underlying cause for hair loss and to recommend the most effective treatment method.

Drugs such as propecia are often administered orally as a treatment for thinning hair, although certain drugs are not recommended for women in child-bearing years because they can cause birth defects. Certain solutions applied topically to the scalp and hair such as Rogaine and other creams and sprays have proven effective in many cases to help restart hair growth that has become hormonally blocked. Often a dermatologist will recommend a combination of orally taken drugs with topically applied medications to solve the problem of female pattern baldness.

Other treatments to encourage hair growth involve using medicated shampoos on a rotating basis or the use of such new technology as a laser comb to stimulate hair growth. some women during the treatment period use a concealer which can hide bald areas on the head and give the appearance of a full head of hair while giving the treatment method time to work.

Hair loss in women can cause a lack of self-confidence and even depression if it is severe. but the best antidote to hair loss is first, a professional medical evaluation by a dermatologist specializing in female pattern baldness, and then working with the physician in following a specific treatment program that can help arrest hair loss at the same time it encourages and stimulates new hair growth.

Hair Loss in Women: Facts and Solutions