Home / All / Hair loss in women-hormones maybe to blame
Posted on : October 14, 2016 | Category : All | Author: John Kahen
For women, thinning hair or outright hair loss is more than just a cosmetic concern. Besides being so important to first impressions, your hair is also a reflection of your overall health picture including your hormonal health. Once you understand the underlying causes of hair loss in women you’ll see how by consulting with a hair restoration doctor can help you slow the thinning process and with surgery as a possible option restore the thickness you once had.
Accelerated hair loss and thinning hair are most common in women during menopause and peri-menopause, due to declining estrogen levels. As estrogen levels fall, the resulting imbalance between estrogen and testosterone can cause thinning hair on certain areas of the head that are sensitive to androgens, commonly referred to as male pattern baldness. The same imbalance can also contribute to unwanted hair growth on the chin and face.
For similar reasons, thinning hair often accompanies polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is characterized by high levels of circulating androgens, which can cause hair loss from the scalp, increased facial hair, acne, weight gain, and decreased fertility. PCOS is most common in women with insulin resistance, caused by years of poor nutrition and consuming too many simple carbohydrates and sugars.
Hair loss can also be a sign of certain nutritional deficiencies, including deficiencies of vitamins A and D, iron, and protein. It should come as no surprise that one of the first recommendations we make to women concerned with accelerated hair loss is to check their diet and add a medical-grade multivitamin to fill any gaps.
Stress is also an issue for women with hair loss. Elevated stress hormones can shock hair follicles into their resting phase, causing hair to fall out at the slightest tug. Most women we see at our clinic experience unremitting stress that doesn’t give the hair follicles the chance to switch back into their active growth phase, leading to thinning hair on the scalp.
If you are experiencing hair loss, please go to our website at www.bhhr.com and schedule a complimentary consultation with world-renowned hair restoration surgeon, Dr. John Kahen.
