Hair Loss and Hair Thinning in Women

Hair loss for a women can be a life altering complication especially when premature hair loss occurs. For many women, the loss of hair often leaves us feeling confused and unsure how to how the situation occurred. Understanding the causes of hair loss as well as the options for improving hair condition, will provide for reduced anxiety associated with many hair loss processes and improve the overall look and beauty of hair.

For most when, hair loss is a predictable process by which we begin to lose hair, through a thinning effect, as we age. As a slow process, initially, we are often shocked to find our hair becomes increasingly thin in a rather fast and progressive nature later in life. For some women, this thinning process may be unnoticeable for several years as it tends to occur all over the top of the head.

In most women, the loss, or thinning, of hair is simply a genetic factor, uncontrolled by our own actions and tends to occur shortly after menopause. In the genetic predisposition to hair loss, a woman's hair follicles become more sensitive to a naturally occurring hormone known as DHT, dihydrotestosterone, found in some degree in women but more proliferate in men. When these hair follicles become sensitive to DHT, the follicle will simply discontinue in hair growth which results in thinning hair for women.

To offset the potential complications associated with hair loss and hair thinning in women with a predisposition to genetic loss, there are medications which can be administered to reduce the level of DHT in the blood stream, thereby reducing the sensitivity of the hair follicles. When taking these medications, most women will begin to notice a change in hair growth and fullness within just a few days, especially around the front and top of the head where hair loss is most common in women.

Another cause for hair loss in women involves the complications associated with dermatological issues. In these cases, women suffering from hair loss will commonly find the hair is missing or thinning in patchy areas. For women suffering from this type of hair loss, consulting with a dermatologist is highly recommended to first rule out the loss of hair as it relates to a dermatological complication requiring medication intervention.

In addition to dermatology intervention, the increased use of iron supplements, or consuming foods rich in iron, will also work to naturally boost hair fullness through increased and improved blood circulation and oxygen to tissues. Nutritional deficiencies, as well as psychological complications and stress, often lead to secondary complications of hair loss and should be treated through therapy with a mental health counselor and dietitian or nutritionist. The key to this type of hair loss is the patchy presentation versus the genetic hair loss which is an all over effect.