Alopecia in Women

Alopecia, or hair loss, is a problem common in men which can lead to a lot of distress and embarrassment. It can also occur in women however, and this can be an even more serious assault on their identity and quite embarrassing in some ways.

Alopecia in women can sometimes be transient, meaning that it is only temporary, so if you are showing signs then you should not worry too much yet. Interestingly too, it does not only affect the scalp but can occur anywhere on the body (though you are less likely to notice it in other places, and it may even be quite useful in certain areas).

Hair loss can have many causes. There are genetic elements related to hair loss and if your parents lost their hair at a young age, then you will be more likely to suffer the same fate. Unfortunately this is a sign that the problem is permanent and makes recovery less likely. Here there is an interplay of both age and genetics. Alopecia can also be related to your hormones, your autoimmune system and your psychology. The symptoms in particular will differ depending on the cause and the type of alopecia, and this will affect prognosis and treatment.

In alopecia areata the immune system attacks the person’s hair follicles discriminately resulting in patches of baldness, often round. This can eventually lead to ‘alopecia totalis’ (or complete baldness) or ‘alopecia universalis’ (which is lack of hair all over the body). To attempt to treat this then you may use corticosteroids injected into the damaged hair follicles which in some cases will promote re-growth but is not 100% effective. In some cases this autoimmune behaviour may be part of a more serious condition such as myositis.

If the hair loss is age related and presents itself more as thinning of the hair, then this is more likely ‘female pattern baldness’. This often occurs after the menopause and is caused by an altering of the hormones � and in particular the extra testosterone in the body. This is the case if the person has a genetic sensitivity to testosterone, and some hormone supplementation can help to combat this problem.

Infections in the scalp and hair follicles can also sometimes lead to hair loss, often in a very localised area. To combat this doctors can prescribe antibiotics and medication to help the immune system to drive out the infection. Hair loss can also be linked to a range of other conditions such as diabetes, as well as being a reaction to a range of medication (most famously chemotherapy). If you are experiencing hair loss of any sort you should see a doctor or hair specialist so that they can identify the cause and recommend the best course of action.

Stress can also lead to hair loss, often in large ‘clumps’ that may come out when washing or combing. This is just one example of the powerful link between mind and body, and in other cases the hair can turn grey. This in turn leads to a vicious circle, as the alopecia itself causes further hair loss. Of course this is difficult to overcome, but just like many purely psychological conditions such as anxiety disorders it is necessary to break this cycle. Try taking a holiday, identifying and combating the stressors in your life, or learning meditation or another form of relaxation and stress-fighting.

Regardless of the cause of hair loss and your prognosis, there are many coping strategies that can help to combat the appearance of alopecia. A wig for example is one option, which can also be quite fun if you buy several allowing you to try out hairstyles and colours that you might never have tried. Alternatively just trying different styles or combing in a certain way can hide less complete hair loss. For those who are really upset by hair loss there are also a range of cosmetic procedures that can permanently give you a full head of hair. Choosing the method you use to help cover up your hair loss will depend on its severity, on your prognosis, and on personal preference. However just knowing that there are many ways that you can have a full head of hair again or at least cover up your hair loss can often help you to deal with the problem and this in turn can help you lose less hair through stress.

Finally it is important to eat a full and healthy diet in order to prevent hair loss as much as possible. Ensure that you get a good amount of protein, and include all your minerals and vitamins. A supplement of essential fatty acids can also help to give you strong hair. Additionally it is important to ensure you have a good hair care routine and use a well respected shampoo and conditioner.