Hair Loss in Women

Did you know that frequent blow drying--and even overenthusiastic brushing--can exacerbate hair loss in women? We usually think of hair loss as something that only affects men, but at least 20 million American women suffer from this!  The causes of hair loss or even baldness in women are poorly understood, but may result from a combination of genetic factors, hormonal changes, improper hair care, stress, certain diseases and certain medications. Fortunately hair loss in women typically does not usually result in complete baldness, as is often the case with men.

Did you recently have a baby, start taking birth control pills or are you nearing menopause? Increased hair growth during pregnancy and then hair loss afterwards is common, but levels off after 3 months.  Similarly, hair loss can also occur after a woman stops taking birth control pills.  Crash diets, hyper or hypothyroidism, polycystic ovaries, and lupus can also cause hair loss.  Chemotherapy is infamous for causing reversible hair loss, but other medicines such as beta blockers, antidepressants, and some cholesterol-lowering drugs can also cause this.

Classic male baldness begins with a receding hairline.  In women, hair loss is common over the crown of the head.  A diffuse thinning may occur, but frank baldness is rare.  Hair loss can also begin at the time of menopause.  Estrogen levels decrease and androgens ("male hormones") levels rise in proportion, resulting in some hair loss for nearly 60% of menopausal women.  While most women react by covering it up, talking to your doctor may help:  if you have a medical condition responsible for your hair loss, treating it may help.

Created: 11/15/2004  -  Donnica Moore, M.D.