One of the things you can count on if you are female is that your body will go through many different changes over your lifetime.
Unfortunately, some of those changes result in hair thinning or hair loss. Other times, it’s a matter of lifestyle, personal habits, medications, and other issues that cause women to lose those luscious locks that they love.
If you feel that you are losing your hair, but don’t know where to even begin on how to address it, keep reading! We are going to explain the top 10 most common reasons women lose their hair.
- PCOS
Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, PCOS for short, leads to abnormal hormone levels in the body which can result in too much hair in unwanted places, such as the face or armpits, and lack of hair on the scalp. This is due to an overproduction of male hormones. If you feel this might be your problem, see your OBGYN.
- Menopause
Once women hit their 50’s, menopause is about to, or has begun, to take place. The main event in menopause is a lack of estrogen production. This not only makes hair dry and brittle, but can cause it to fall out or break off. Menopause can be rough, so be sure that you take extra care of your body, and your mane, during this time.
- After Baby Hair Loss
Some women experience significant hair loss after giving birth. This is, again, due to the fall in estrogen that occurs after giving birth. Rest assured that this problem is only temporary and your hair should start to grow back to its normal thickness in just a few weeks.
- Medications
If you suddenly go off of or switch your birth control pill for another brand, this can sometimes lead to a temporary loss of hair. Other medications, especially chemo or hormonal therapies, can also cause hair loss. If you think your medication may be to blame, speak with your doctor about a possible alternative. Otherwise, the problem is usually temporary and hair growth should resume in a few weeks.
- Lack of Protein
Your hair is made up of keratin, which is a type of protein. Some women, in their efforts to maintain a slim figure, do not eat enough protein rich foods. This depletes the body of protein and can lead to serious health problems, in addition to weak, brittle hair that falls out easily. Be certain you are getting enough protein each day. On average, a woman needs about 1 gram of protein for every kilo of body weight.
- Chronic Medical Conditions
Of course, ongoing acute or chronic medical problems, such as psoriasis or diabetes, can affect hair growth. Diabetes, for example, has a profoundly negative impact on blood circulation. This causes less oxygen and nutrients to be delivered to the upper and lower portions of the body, causing hair to die due to lack of nutrients. Normal hair loss is between 60 to 100 hairs every day, but if you feel that you are losing far more than that, speak with your doctor.
- Poor Hair Care
Most women think they spend plenty of time with their hair and that is certainly isn’t neglected, but perhaps that is exactly the problem. The constant or overuse of hairspray, coloring agents, bleach, hot rollers, blow dryers, straightening irons, gels, mousse, frequent color changes, and curling irons all lead to dry, brittle hair that can fall out easily. For most women, it’s not a lack of care, but too much messing with the hair that can cause it to fall out excessively. Speak with a professional hairdresser about ways you can help care for your hair and still look stylish.
- Anemia
Just like protein, the body needs iron for healthy hair. Iron causes your body to make red blood cells, which feed the hair oxygen. For some women, a lack of iron occurs due to a heavy menstrual cycle, for others, it’s a poor diet. Speak with your doctor about having your iron level checked. Consider taking a supplement or changing your diet if your iron levels are low.
- Crash Diets or Low Body Weight
There is a reason most super thin stars wear wigs and weaves; they don’t weigh enough to hang on to their hair! Crash diets that cause you to lose a great deal of weight quickly usually do so by causing you to eat a minimal amount of calories. This means that your body, including your hair, is not getting the nutrients it needs. Low body weight is usually a sign of improper eating, which can also lead to hair loss. Speak with your doctor about a healthy diet plan that causes you to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week. You should also discuss what would be a healthy body weight for you.
- Thyroid Problems or Autoimmune Disease
Your thyroid is responsible for most of the hormones your body makes. A malfunctioning thyroid can result in hair loss due to low or fluctuating hormone levels. Autoimmune diseases often attack our own cells, including our hair, causing it to fall out. Have your doctor check your thyroid function if you feel this might be the cause of your hair loss.
Every woman wants thick, beautiful, shiny hair she can be proud of. If you have concerns, please see your doctor for a full checkup and speak to them about your hair loss problem or visit your local hairdresser for tips on how to properly care for your locks.
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