Top 5 Reasons for Female Pattern Baldness
Visible hair loss can be deeply distressing and affects women of all ages. Women can experience hair thinning or complete hair loss, as well. Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) occurs mostly when women are in their 50s and 60s. (Source: AARP) According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, female pattern hair loss is the most common cause of hair loss in women. And prevalence increases with advancing age. Affected women can experience psychological distress and impaired social functioning.
Reasons for female pattern baldness
There are numerous reasons of hair loss in women. These include medical conditions, certain medications and physical or emotional stress. Here are five top reasons for female pattern baldness.
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Aging
Women are more likely to develop female pattern baldness once they enter their 40s. (Source: American Academy of Dermatology)
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Pregnancy
Hair loss during pregnancy is a short-term problem. Hair growth can be seen in 2-6 months. Once the baby is born, estrogen levels drop, and more hair lapses into the resting phase.
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Menopause
During and after menopause, hair might become thinner as hair follicles shrink. They develop significant levels of thinner hair shafts. Also, it has been noticed that the hair growth rate slows and hair falls out more easily than before.
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Family history of pattern baldness
Hair loss is passed down to the children from parents. Many different genes are involved. You can inherit these genes from either parent. You might be inclined to have female pattern baldness if your mother, father or other close relatives are bald.
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Stress (physical or emotional)
A major illness, severe psychological trauma, significant weight loss and childbirth might trigger an episode of hair loss. This begins a few months after the episode. This is called telogen effluvium.
Medical reasons of hair loss in women
Hair loss in women can be due to many medical reasons. Let’s take a look at some of these.
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An underactive/overactive thyroid:
Hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism might cause hair loss. It is easy to rule out with a blood test that measures levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
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Anemia:
Women with low iron levels often experience hair loss.
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Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS):
When you have PCOS, your body produces too many androgens. This can decrease hair growth.
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Medications:
Some common causes of medication-related hair loss include beta-blockers, antidepressants, anticoagulants, and chemotherapy medications.
Read More: What is Female Pattern Baldness? What causes it?
If your hair loss is more than usual (approximately 50-100 hair strands), then it shouldn’t be ignored. Since women develop hair loss for many reasons and each requires a different treatment, it’s wise to consult a homeopathic doctor. He/she can diagnose the root cause and come up with a customized treatment plan. Dr Batra's® has treated more than 7 lakh hair loss patients successfully. We have safe, effective and lasting solutions for your hair loss problems .
If you are not sure why you are losing hair, book an appointment with our hair specialists for a consultation.
