Research shows that up to two thirds of women experience hair
loss at some stage in their life and this can often be a very
stressful time for women and is an integral part of their self
image.

The most common causes of hair loss in women is not related to
inherited genes but usually associated with other factors such
as pregnancy, stress, chemotherapy, certain diets, thyroid
hormone deficiency, some drugs or infections. Unlike men the
hair loss in this case is usually temporary and healthy
re-growth can occur over time.

Unlike men, women rarely go bald but may experience significant
thinning and reduction of the hair shaft diameter around the
forehead and crown of the scalp as they age.

If you are one of the millions of women who suffer from hair
loss the most important factor is to understand why you are
losing your hair before you seek out a remedy or solution.

Causes of hair loss:

1. Genetics: The most common cause of hair loss is rooted in
your genes also known as androgenetic alopecia, hereditary hair
loss can begin any time after puberty, but usually sets in
before the age of forty and may accelerate around the time you
reach menopause.

2. Pregnancy: A large amount of oestrogen is produced during
pregnancy causing the hair follicles to go into their growth
phase. Once the birth is over the hormonal balance is restored
and the opposite happens with the hair follicles going into a
hair loss phase.

3. Alopecia areata: The reasons for this are relatively unknown
but research has shown that the cause is thought to be an auto
immune disorder where the body mistakenly attacks the hair
follicles. What follows is an inflammation of the follicles and
surrounding hair structures. This causes the hair follicles to
retreat into the deeper layers of skin shutting off an important
nutrient supply, the follicles starve and the hair starts
shedding followed by a dormant period. 4. Stress: Another common
reason for hair loss in women is stress as known as Telogen
Effluvium. What happens is that the growing healthy hairs enter
the resting (telogen) phase of hair growth. The hairs matrix
appears to stop dividing causing the hair to begin falling out.
Women in their 40‚s to 60‚s will be affected by this kind of
hair loss. 5. Drugs or Supplements: The most common drug
treatment that causes hair loss is Chemotherapy. This kind of
medication attacks the hair cells of the matrix causing 90% hair
loss from the scalp. Prescription drugs are also known to thin
hair out. These can be Blood thinners, high blood pressure and
cholesterol drugs. Some dieting supplements can also be causes
of hair loss. 6. Hair pulling: Also known as trichotillomania.
Unlike other types or hair loss this is not a medical but more a
psychological disorder. There are literally millions of people
around the worlds that suffer from this condition. These are
mostly adult women that suffer from low self esteem, anxiety,
depression or are dissatisfied with their bodies. This condition
can be treated with counselling.

About the author:
Grant Marwick is a freelance writer and owner of
www.no-gray-hair.com that provides solutions and advice on the treatment of gray hair and
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