Women's Hair Loss - What Women Need to Know

Sally lost her hair from breast cancer treatments of chemo and radiation. She had grey hair and it is growing back gray but it is thinner and more fine.

Gretchen also lost  hair from chemo therapy only she dyed her hair red when it grew back. The problem is not much hair grew and the extreme sparseness of hair is very obvious. Gretchen is very upset as are most women when they lose their hair. Magazines and books are published about hair fashion and hair style because hair is a defining point in the personality of a woman and losing hair, whether or not it's for medical reasons, is traumatic.

If you are losing hair you are not alone. The American Academy of Dermatology reports that hair loss now affects some 30 million women in the U.S. and the numbers are increasing. Report also says that in recent times, some forms occur at earlier ages. Hair loss in teen age girls, 15 and 16, is not yet common but it no longer is rare.

The main type of hair loss for both men and women is alopecia or male or female pattern hair loss. In men it usually begins above the temples and the receding hairline forms a characteristic M shape. Hair at the top also thins often leading to baldness.

For women, alopecia begins with gradual thinning at the part line, followed by more thinning radiating from the top of the head. A woman's hairline usually does not recede and women do not become bald. Even so about 30 percent of women experience problems with severely thinning hair some time in their lives especially postmenopausal.

The problem is that female pattern hair loss tends to severely affect the emotional health and quality of life because it is not socially acceptable whereas men's baldness is acceptable.
There are many potential causes of hair loss including medical conditions, medications, and cancer treatments and sometimes physical or emotional stress. If you notice unusual hair loss of any kind talk to your physician or dermatologist to determine why you are losing your hair and if there is an appropriate treatment. You may also want to ask your clinician for a referral to a therapist to help you with any emotional difficulties. There are also support groups  that may help you.

Hair loss can be frustrating, but more attention is being paid to the condition and there are more resources available for women to cope with the problem.

And I invite you to find more information on how you can maintain healthy hair and help prevent possible hair loss. Discover natural remedies that you can use to encourage hair growth and prevent loss at http://besthairandbeauty.blogspot.com/

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