Hair Loss in Women
Hair loss is a condition that affects both men and women, but it is rarely talked about in women. It is often viewed as a taboo subject, which is unfortunate because it is incredibly common and can be caused by a variety of conditions.
There are many different causes of hair loss in women, including:
Hormonal contraceptives
Iron deficiency
Mineral deficiencies
Food and nutritional imbalances
PCOS
Hypothyroidism
Pregnancy and the postpartum period
Stress, and physical trauma
One of the main contributing factors can be hormonal changes and imbalances. Post-menopausal changes can also cause hair loss, which may be more permanent. This is due to a hormonal shift that occurs over time, and it can be challenging to reinvigorate growth and correct any nutritional deficiencies. Women will typically experience increased hair growth and quality during pregnancy and childbirth due to the influence of oestrogen, which prolongs the anagen phase, or active growth phase. However, birth trauma and increased stress (both physical and emotional) can trigger telogen effluvium, a sudden and rapid loss of hair in response to stress.
Androgenic alopecia, commonly referred to as male pattern hair loss, often occurs in women with PCOS. This is a mismatch of the hair shedding vs. hair growth phase and is the most common cause of hair loss in women. It can be challenging to address without addressing the root cause of the PCOS, which may be a result of diet, lifestyle, and/or hormonal imbalances.
Hair loss can also be one of the first signs of a nutritional deficiency. This can be a result of chronic under-eating, which can cause hormonal imbalances and decreased hormone production. Contributing nutritional factors for hair loss may include really low carb diets, malabsorption issues, chronic under-eating, over-exertion/over-exercising, gluten intolerance and celiac disease, coffee, and iron deficiency (not necessarily anemia).
Hyperthyroidism can also be involved in hair loss as thyroid function is involved in the development and maintenance of hair follicles. This is typically characterised by thinning of the outer third of the eyebrow, as well as other hair loss patterns. Talopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where the body/immune system attacks the hair follicles, resulting in one or more bald patches.
If you are experiencing hair loss, these are my top tips:
Increasing your intake of good quality protein, carbohydrates, fibre, and good fats can be beneficial.
Removing gluten from your diet and supplementing with zinc, which has been associated with hair loss.
Topical rosemary oil can be used to stimulate hair growth, and it has been shown to be comparable to some pharmaceutical treatments like minoxidil.
Topical and oral magnesium supplementation has also been anecdotally beneficial.
Additionally, increasing oxygenation/blood flow and increasing your intake of vitamin B12 may help.
It is also essential to consider how hormonal contraceptive choices may be contributing to hair loss.
In conclusion, hair loss in women is a common condition that is often viewed as taboo. It can be caused by a variety of conditions, including hormonal changes and imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, and autoimmune disorders. If you are experiencing hair loss, it is important to address the underlying cause and consider implementing the top tips outlined above. Remember, you are not alone, and there are many resources available to help you on your journey to healthy hair.
Most importantly - Address the underlying cause
Until next time, be well
Yours in Great Health,
References
Cwynar, A., Olszewska-Słonina, D. M., & Czajkowski, R. (2020). The impact of oxidative stress in androgenic alopecia in women. Postȩpy Dermatologii i Alergologii, 37(1), 119–120. https://doi.org/10.5114/ada.2019.81685
Cela, E., Robertson, C., Rush, K., Kousta, E., White, D., Wilson, H., Lyons, G., Kingsley, P., McCarthy, M., & Franks, S. (2003). Prevalence of polycystic ovaries in women with androgenic alopecia. European Journal of Endocrinology, 149(5), 439–442. https://doi.org/10.1530/eje.0.1490439