Female Hair Loss

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Female hair loss, also known as alopecia may be caused by specific hormonal changes within the female body or it may be due to a condition that occurs in both sexes.

Causes of Female Hair Loss

The causes of female hair loss include:

Anemia

Stress

Hormone disorder

Genetic

Inflammation in the scalp

Hair care chemicals used for bleaching, perming or straightening

Hairstyles that pull the very root of the hair, such as braids or dreads locks

Medications such as warfarin, heparin, propiltiouracila, carbimazol, retinol A, isotretinoin, acitretin, lithium, beta blockers, colchicine, amphetamines, and cancer drugs

Treatment for Female Hair Loss

Treatment for female hair loss includes a nutritious diet; home remedies for hair growth may also be effective. For some conditions like infections or hormonal imbalances, medication may be required.

Medication for Female Hair loss

Some drugs like minoxidil work by increasing circulation. Others like estradiol act as hormones to stimulate hair growth signals. If your hair loss is a result of a fungal infection, then Ketaconazole is prescribed to get rid of the fungus. Here is a list of common medications used to treat female hair loss:

Minoxidil

Propecia (finasteride)

17 Alpha Estradiol

Ketoconazole

DHT inhibitors

These drugs are effective for alopecia, but only if used in the proper doses in relation to the condition that is the causing your hair loss. A dermatologist will help you pinpoint that condition and the course of treatment.

Postpartum Hair loss

Hair loss after giving birth to a child may be troubling, but is most likely normal and will not progress to the point where you get bald spots. The reason for this is that you aren’t actually losing hair, but returning to the quantity of hair you had before pregnancy.

The hormones associated with pregnancy cause an increase in the growth phase of the hair. This means that hair grows longer before shedding. You may notice a fuller head of hair when this is happening.

After giving birth, your hair returns to the normal cycles of growing and shedding, with many hair strands long overdue to start the process anew. Because so many of the hair follicles are in the shedding phase, you may notice a lot of hair falling out. This condition is known as postpartum hair loss.

Adequate intake of nutrients that are important to hair growth will keep your hair healthy and help with this transition. There are many foods that prevent hair loss and keep hair healthy.