There are actually three common causes of hair loss in women, the treatment for each is different.
As always you should consult your physician or doctor if you are suffering from hair loss so that a proper diagnosis can be given.
Hair Loss Condition 1: Androgenetic Alopecia
This is actually the same type of hair loss that most men suffer from. However when it appears as hair loss in females it looks rather different.
Instead of losing hair at the hairline or back of the head, women usually notice a gradual thinning of hair on the top and sides of the head.
The same as with many men, the vulnerability to androgenetic hair loss in women is inherited. Women with this inherited trait may produce too much of the male hormone testosterone, or their hair follicles may be vulnerable to the effects of DHT, also known as dihydrotestesterone, a byproduct of testosterone.
All women produce some testosterone in their bodies. However, the women who produce an excess of it can develop deeper voices, suffer hair growth on their abdomen and face, and also the thinning of the hair on their heads.
In particular hair loss in females, can be seen when female hormones are changing, for instance after the birth of a baby, during pregnancy or at menopause.
Hair Loss Condition 2: Telogen Effluvium
All hair is subject to a natural growth cycle. The first stage, anagen, is when the hair is growing.
Hair will normally grow at about ½ inch per month and will continue to grow for about four to seven years.
Hair loss in women that are undergoing chemotherapy is actually caused by anagen effluvium, this is where the hair falls out due to the medications poisoning the hair follicles.
The next stage is called telogen, this is a resting stage that can last several months. The hair is no longer growing, but is still fully attached to the follicle.
Hair loss in women via Telogen effluvium happens when too many hairs enter the resting stage and eventually, fall out. Consequently, this means that the hair loss is commonly caused by an event that happened some time ago.
