In our culture, the very topic of women’s hair loss remains a big taboo. We joke about men going bald, and accept male hair loss as natural and normal, but women’s hair loss is just not something we talk about. Yet, it’s very real—and in fact, more than 30 million women struggle with the emotional scar of hair loss in the United States alone. The cause of your hair loss can be attributed to a variety of factors.

Hormonal Factors

One thing to consider is hormones. In many instances, women’s hair loss can be linked directly to hormonal conditions. In fact, any hormonal irregularity can contribute to hair loss, be it menopause, pregnancy, a thyroid problem, or a condition such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Ultimately, any issue that impacts the endocrine system can play a role in hair loss.

Medical Factors

Nonendocrine factors can also contribute to female hair loss. This includes a wide range of medical conditions, such as lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney failure, yeast infections, and cancer. Medical treatments can also factor into hair loss, including, most notably, chemotherapy and radiation, but also other medications and treatments. Additionally, anything that taxes the body can ultimately contribute to hair loss; think weight loss or weight gain, surgery, an extended period of illness or fevers, and in some cases even trauma and stress.

Genetics

Androgenetic alopecia is a genetic form of hair loss in both men and women, though it is significantly less common in women. For women, the condition is referred to as female pattern baldness. Like the male version, female pattern baldness occurs when dihydrotestosterone (DHT) hormones attack weak hair follicles, resulting in hair loss. 

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Alopecia Areata

Some women may suffer from a condition known as alopecia areata. The identifying symptom of this is hair loss in clumps, leaving bald patches around the head. While this condition usually passes on its own, and all hair is regrown within a year, in some cases the hair loss can be permanent. This condition can come on suddenly, even for those who are otherwise perfectly healthy.

Trichotillomania

Another potential cause of hair loss is trichotillomania, an illness that causes the individual to pull out or chew her own hair. This is a nervous condition that typically begins as a response to some kind of trauma. That it can do long-term damage to hair and to the scalp goes without saying, and the condition is ultimately more common than you might think. Many of our clients suffer with this issue.

Join Us for a Free Consultation

You don't have to settle for thinning hair, no matter what the cause of your hair loss is. At Mane Image, we offer a variety of different surgical and non-surgical solutions that are available to you. We invite you to join us in our studio for a FREE consultation. During the consultation, we are able to answer any questions you may have and discuss what solutions are right for you. Contact us today to schedule your FREE consultation in Merrillville, IN.