Do You Know What Causes Hair Loss In Women?

There isn't much that upsets a woman more than the prospect of losing her hair. This can be a huge blow to a woman's self-image. Hair loss in women is a lot more common than you would expect. Did you know that 40% of people who are losing their hair are women? This article will examine what can cause hair loss in women. First we'll look at how hair normally grows.

Normal Hair Growth Cycle


A single hair will normally grow for two to six years. During this time, each hair grows about a half inch per month. At any one time, 90% of the hair on your head is growing, with about 10% in a resting phase. The resting hair will eventually fall out in a couple of months, and new hair grows to replace it. So you can see that it's normal to lose some hair every day. But sometimes you lose too much, and your hair starts to thin. What can cause this?

Causes Of Hair Loss In Women

At the top of the list is hormonal problems. Many women lose more hair about three months after having a baby. This will correct itself as the hormone levels fall to pre-pregnancy levels. Birth control pills can also contribute to hair loss. Also, many women are faced with thinning hair after menopause.

Certain medications can also cause this problem. Most people think of chemotherapy drugs, but blood thinners, antidepressants, medications used to treat gout, and even too much vitamin A can all be culprits.

Some diseases like diabetes and lupus can also cause hair loss in women. This can be the first sign of these diseases, so be sure to visit your doctor for a check-up to rule out any medical problems.

Hairstyles that pull the hair tightly can also cause trauma to the hair follicles, leading to hair loss. Braiding, cornrows, tight ponytails, extensions, and anything that pulls at the hair over a long period of time can cause this problem. The good news is that if you see what's going on soon enough and stop styling your hair like this, it will regrow.

Sometimes women lose hair due to Female Pattern Baldness, or Female Pattern Hair Loss, which is genetic.

What Is Women's Pattern Baldness?

Unlike men, women usually don't go completely bald. Instead, the hair gradually becomes sparser, usually over the top and front of the head. Why does this happen? When hair is shed normally, the new hair that grows in is shorter and shorter. Eventually this hair grows in as almost invisible "peach fuzz." The genetic predisposition for this condition can come from either side of the family.

A Traumatic Experience

Losing her hair can be traumatic for a woman. There are many causes for this condition, including hormones, medications, trauma to the hair, and heredity. It's important to find the cause so you can choose the proper treatment.

By: Darlene Norris

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Darlene Norris invites you to read What Women Need To Know About Hair Loss for facts on hair loss in women. Discover how you can prevent and treat this problem at Provillus For Women.

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