Excessive hair loss in women

There is a saying "The hair is a women's crown" and based on this many women fret when they start to lose their hair even if it was a strain or two - what more to say when excessive hair loss in women occurs. Although it seems unbelievable but yet it is true and profound with each year women are made to believe that there are possibilities of them losing their hair.

This is a rising epidemic in the United States and some can be seen even in younger ages according to the American Acedemy of Dermatology (Of course those who do not have follicle growth problems will complaint about having too much hair. But that's another matter altogether).

According to Fred Lally, a dermatologist specialising in female hair loss treatment, women as young as 15 to 16 developing hair loss problems has became a new finding.

To understand the cause of hair loss among women, including problems pertaining to excessive hair loss in women, first we have to understand something on hair growth.

Every month our "tresses" usually grow about one-half inch and each hair have a growing phase of two to six years. When the tresses reach this limit, it will come to rest and fall. However, a new strand will grow from where the follicle previously sprang. This cycle will then continue to our senior years. Unfortunately when a group of hormones called androgens interfere with this natural process, it will caused abnormality especially for those with genetic predisposition. This group of androgen hormones including testosterone, androsteinedione and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are found largely in male bodies rather than in female's.

To those with genetic predisposition, the testosterone will intervene with the enzymes residing in the hair cell resulting more potent DHT that binds with the receptors deep within the follicle. Slowly this binding process will cause the follicle to shrink and interrupt the natural resting and growing phase of the hair. Some follicles may die while others will render incapability to grow healthy hair thus finally resulting in hair loss. This condition is called androgenic alopecia.

For many years, we have been made to believe that androgenic alopecia being the main cause of balding or excessive hairloss in women and men but now we know that it is just a myth.

Dissimilar balding pattern for men and women

The term "androgenic alopecia" is unlikely to be linked to women anymore instead of a broader term like female pattern hair loss could be more appropriate in which it encompasses many possible cause, some might link to excess of testosterone and some might not. Among possible cause could be related to hormone receptors and blockers. Other enzymes might also contribute to the loss of hair in women.

The difference between balding in men and women is determined by its pattern in which the hair loss occurs - such as male pattern baldness. In the female pattern, balding occurs on the whole top of the head whereas in male the loss of hair is at the back of the head. This shows the hormone and enzyme receptor spots in the head are differ from male to female making doctors believe the loss patterns are caused by different precipitating factors.

The other differences is that most men losing their hair due to genetic predisposition combined with age factor, meanwhile it can happens anytime to women. Besides, underlying medical condition also has been known to be the cause that contributes to hair losses, including excessive hair loss in women and men.

Common medical conditions causing hair loss suffering

There are common cases where women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome losses their hair as a sign of the illness itself. Other than that, an autoimmune disorder known as alopecia areata can also cause a slight different and less dramatic hair loss in women. It is an inflammatory condition that caused the hair to fall from the scalp in clumps or patches.

Another medical condition known as telogen effluvium can cause a temporary hair shedding problem in women, usually an after effect of childbirth, crash dieting, surgery, or post traumatic events. Sometimes undiagnosed medical conditions such as thyroid disorder, anaemia, the use of certain medications and chronic illness could really contribute the women's hair loss.

This is why it is strongly advised that women go for the right diagnosis and in case of any underlying medical condition that might contribute to the problem it has to be dealt with primarily. This can be done by consulting a doctor specialize in female pattern balding (such as excessive hair loss in women) to ensure that they get the right diagnosis either via blood test or scalp biopsy if needed to identify the core of the problem.

Next up: Sudden hair loss in women