Causes, Treatment and Prevention of Hair Loss in Women

Medical Causes of Hair Loss in Women
Hair loss in women can include total balding, thinning or anything in between the two. It can be temporary or permanent. Often women experience hair loss due to a medical condition and when the condition is discovered and controlled, the hair loss subsides. The medical name for hair loss is alopecia. People often mistake alopecia for something only men experience however more women are beginning to come forward as sufferers of hair loss.

Some women experience hair loss due to a hormone imbalance (common after childbirth and during pregnancy), an undiagnosed disease or stress. Often, women are born with gene making them susceptible to genetic hair loss associated with aging. Other causes of hair loss in women are linked to the thyroid, vitamin deficiency and diabetes. If a woman's hormones are not balanced, she can experience hair excessive loss. This is a common occurrence in women who aren't very tolerant of birth control pills or other hormonal contraception options.


Treatment Solutions for Balding
When it comes to hair loss treatments for women, there are many options. Women must first obtain a medical physical from a dermatologist, a general practitioner or a doctor with knowledge in dermatology of the head. Most physicians aren't thrilled with the idea of using a systemic treatment (a medication/pill that will affect your entire body system). Thus, topical scalp treatments are most commonly prescribed.

Minoxidil is one of the most common hair restoration treatments. It was once used to treat high blood pressure. However, patients using it noticed increased hair growth. It was tested and discovered when applied topically to the scalp it helped restore hair growth. Most women begin treating their hair loss with Minoxidil. While it works for many, it doesn't work for everyone.


Hormone Deficiency Can Cause Hair Loss in Women
If women are lacking estrogen or progesterone and are experiencing hair loss, they will likely be prescribed a hormone replacement therapy system (HRT). This will give their bodies the hormones they need and naturally help restore hair growth. Much like the loss of testosterone in men, a loss of female hormones can be the cause of hair loss in women.

A popular drug for preventing prostate problems, Propecia is now being used for hair loss in men and women. It is quite effective. However, it cannot be taken by women who are pregnant because of a possible risk to male fetuses.

While hair loss in women can be difficult to cope with, it's important to know there are many solutions available. Women now have access to many treatments and medications which can quickly restore hair growth. In addition, while they're waiting for the hair growth treatment to take action they can take advantage of terrific wigs and trendy hair extensions made for those with thinning hair!