Women’s Hair Loss

A normal amount of hair loss or shedding in women is 100 hairs per day. Anything in excess of this would be considered thinning or losing hair.

Although the main culprit for hair loss, DHT is the same in both men and women the reason and the timing for which it is created are quite different.

Over 40% of women will experience the hormonal form of hair loss Androgenic Alopecia (female-pattern hair loss. This type makes up approximately 95% of hair loss and is commonly referred to as hair thinning as it’s experienced consistently across the scalp and is the least severe form.

Women’s hormonal hair-loss is generally experienced due to fluctuations in their hormone levels. Oestrogen is a natural blocker of DHT so at certain times of life for Women the level of Oestrogen in their system changes. Typically, these are things like pregnancy and pre/post menopause. As Oestrogen dips more DHT is created at the hair follicle causing hair loss in women.

There are other types of hair loss women may experience that are far less common and more like to be server like: alopecia areata, alopecia areata totalis and alopecia areata universalis. If you are unsure of your type of hair loss we would recommend consulting your physician.

The Effect Of DHT On Your Hair

What Causes Excess DHT?

Inherited Genes

Men and women are susceptible to inherited genes.If your parents had thin hair, the likelihood is that you will follow in their footsteps. Genetic make up can determine how much free form testosterone is in a person blood supply, and what the concentration of androgen receptors is in their hair follicles. These are the two vital factors that create DHT.

Stress

Stress causes changes to hormones which can shock hair follicles into shedding more hair than normal. However, it’s important to note the stressful event may not cause hair shedding for some months later.

Diet

What we eat can impact negatively hair growth.Lack of protein, lack of vitamin B and too much vitamin A can all have a negative effect on hair production as reported by the American Academy of Dermatology.

Hormones or Pregnancy

Changes in the levels of female hormones can cause hair loss, so switching birth control pills or coming off the pill may have an effect. Pregnancy related hair loss tends to occur post partum and some women experience accelerated hair shedding as the hormones resettle.

Changes in hormones during menopause can also cause hair thinning as oestrogen levels drop more DHT is created. Oestrogen is a natural blocker of DHT.

Illness

There are a number of illnesses and medications which can negatively impact your hair growth, including but not limited to: anemia, thyroid issues, lupus, lichen planus and scalp infections.

Medications can also have a negative effect on hair growth and are too numerous to mention, but can be caused by medications used to treat: fungi, cancer, depression, auto immune disorders and high blood pressure.

Hair Styling

Traction Alopecia is on the rise due to the hair being pulled tightly into pigtails, cornrows or hair extensions which put too much stress on the follicles, eventually causing the follicle to weaken and die.