Thinning Hair In Women – 3 Main Causes Identified

Hormones have a powerful effect when it comes to hair growth and often they can be a major factor in causing thinning hair in women.

DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is identified as a main underlying factor in hair loss in both men and women and it is caused in part by hormonal changes in the body involving the male hormone testosterone which is present in both sexes.

As women may be affected by hormonal imbalances at certain times in their lives it stands to reason this will have an effect on the rate of hair growth.

Here are 3 main reasons involving hormones which cause thinning hair in women:

Pregnancy and Childbirth

Thinning hair in women or even more dramatic hair loss may occur in the weeks following childbirth.

Increased hair growth is often experienced during pregnancy but then once the child is born and hormone levels change, between 20 and 45% of women according to some estimates experience hair loss.

As hair is in various stages of growth, resting and shedding, the sudden drop in hormone levels after childbirth can cause a large number of hair follicles to shed the hair. often this takes place about 12 weeks after childbirth.

Although initially it may be alarming, the stage soon passes and normal hair growth is resumed. often within a year many women find their hair growth has returned to normal.

Contraception or Pregnancy Termination

Some oral contraceptives may be responsible for thinning hair in women and such cases should be referred to your doctor. a different contraceptive may be prescribed or some other treatment to balance the hormones.

Miscarriage or pregnancy termination can likewise result in major changes in hormone levels which result in sudden hair loss. As with childbirth, the hair growth resumes some months later in most cases.

Menopause

Lack of ovulation during menopause causes progesterone levels to drop with the body responding by producing more hormones with male characteristics that include male pattern baldness.

Once menopause has passed hair growth may resume although some hair that is loss may never be replaced. however, women can be comforted by the fact that they are unlikely to lose more in the post-menopausal phase of life due to hormonal imbalance.

Some claim Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can minimize thinning hair in women due to menopause. however, a thorough consultation with a qualified medical practitioner is important as results are not conclusive and HRT can have negative effects such as increasing the risk of breast cancer or heart disease according to some authorities.

Keeping Hair Loss in Perspective

Thinning hair in women therefore may not be as serious as it seems. any hair loss can cause major emotional reactions as the condition of our hair can deeply affect how we feel about ourselves.

If thinning hair in women is due to a hormonal imbalance, the comforting factor is that the situation will probably rectify itself given a little time.

Reassuring women with thinning hair due to a hormonal imbalance can do much to reduce the stress and anxiety level which only adds to the problem.

Thinning Hair In Women - 3 Main Causes Identified