Female Pattern Hair Loss: What Causes it?
Female pattern hair loss occurs in more than one pattern, and often, these patterns are not as easily recognizable as those in men. Hair loss in men is likely to occur primarily between the late teenage years and ages 40-50. This is generally recognizable as male pattern baldness, or medically known as androgenetic alopecia, are more common among men. Men with male pattern baldness may have an expectation of continued hair loss if they have male relatives who have lost their hair in a similar pattern.
Unlike hair loss in men, female hair loss may develop at any age and continue on throughout the age of 50 or later. Female hair loss may not have any obvious hereditary association and may also tend to have less obvious patterns of hair loss than men. In addition to that, a woman who notices the beginning of hair loss will have no way of knowing if the loss is going to be temporary or permanent.
For example, a woman may be experiencing hair loss due to circumstances that justify temporary hair loss, such as pregnancy or illness. Therefore, self-diagnosis is often ineffective and a woman suffering from Female Pattern Hair Loss should consult a trained and experienced physician for accurate assessments.
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What causes female pattern hair loss?
Female Pattern Hair Loss is caused by a combination of genetic and hormonal factors. The hairs produced by the affected follicles become progressively smaller in diameter, shorter in length and lighter in colour until eventually the follicles shrink completely and stop producing hair. Female Pattern Hair Loss can be associated with conditions in which androgen (a group of hormones) levels are elevated such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Acne, increased facial hair, irregular periods and infertility are all signs of PCOS.
Some other causes of Female Pattern Hair Loss can include:
- Stress
- Childbirth
- Crash diets, which can force your hair into the resting phase (telogen)
- Medications
- Menopause
- Iron Deficiency
- Lack high quality protein in your diet
How Female Pattern Hair Loss Happens
The most common reason for hair loss in women is androgenetic alopecia (AGA), also known as female pattern hair loss or hereditary hair loss. Genetics, hormones, and age cause changes to your hair follicles, which lead to this condition. Genetic hair loss normally occurs in women that are in their 50s or 60s and often gets worse during the menopause when estrogen reduces drastically. However, it may start earlier with women in their 30’s or 40’s.
Living with hair loss
