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Hair Loss in Women - Causes and Treatment Options

Hair loss in women is more common than most people think. Medical experts estimate that nearly 40% of all females will experience some sort of thinning or balding by the time they reach 60 years of age. For generations the main focus of baldness research was not on female hair loss treatment, but in the last two decades that has begun to change.

Common Hair Loss Patterns in Women

A woman often experience hair loss in temporary patterns as well as genetically caused permanent patterns. Temporary balding may occur due to hormonal fluctuations, stress, and illness or as a result of some medications or treatments. Genetically influenced baldness, on the other hand, typically occurs gradually and tends to appear as general thinning of the hair or a receding hairline. Sometimes hair loss in females will occur in patches at various locations on the head, such as on the very top or in the back.

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Causes of Hair Loss in Females

The causes of balding in women are similar to those that affect men, but do differ in some respects. The most common causes for losing hair include:

Because women experience unique hormonal fluctuations that men do not have, there are some causes of hair loss in females that may not require any treatment. For example, when a woman is pregnant her hair typically grows faster and thicker with less normal shedding. About three months after giving birth, though, as her hormonal levels adjust back to normal, extra hair will generally start to fall out. Some females literally report handfuls of hair falling out, but the process is usually completed quickly and hair returns to pre-pregnancy characteristics.

Hair Loss Solutions for Women

There is currently only one treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and that is Rogaine (also known as minoxidil). This hair loss product is also effective for male pattern baldness, but not all treatments suitable for a male are appropriate for a female. For example, finasteride (marketed under the brand name Propecia) is very effective for men but is known to cause birth defects in women. For this reason, the FDA has not approved finasteride for treating hair loss in females. Despite this, some doctors will recommend finasteride for women who are not at risk for pregnancy.

How do I Know Which Solution is Right for Me?

There are nearly as many products promoted to treat the loss of hair in women as there are for men. Other than minoxidil and finasteride, though, the majority of remedies for females have not been scientifically studied or evaluated for effectiveness. It does not take much time on the Internet or watching TV to see multiple advertisements for “natural hair loss treatment”, “new hair loss treatment” and the like.

The best choice for women experiencing thinning or balding is to see their doctor and talk about preventive or restorative options. A doctor is the best resource for diagnosing the causes of female hair loss and recommending treatment.

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