In women Alopecia or hair loss has long been a devastating condition and albeit the fact that it is not a life-threatening condition, the condition has far-reaching consequences on the emotional well being of the sufferer. This may stem from the fact that while baldness or hair loss in men is treated as a normal occurrence, a topic of banter among family and friends, and especially so when it happens after a particular age in women, the same thing is perceived as psychologically damaging. Baldness in women can have a very negative impact on her self-image often leading to anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. The saying “Hair is a woman’s crowning glory” does actually mirror the vanity value, hair holds for women.
Hair loss in women can be categorized as temporary and long–term. When the cause behind the hair loss is easily identifiable and the condition arrested, it is considered to be a temporary hair loss. On the other hand, if the cause is difficult to ascertain or if there has been an incorrect diagnosis, it tends to result in long-term hair loss. The cause for hair loss, whether in men or women, can, in most cases, be traced to a malfunction or disease in the body. The normal pattern of hair growth and shedding may also be affected by short-term changes like pregnancy, stress or medication, in which case, the condition may get reversed once the short–term effect passes over. Certain genes that are responsible for pattern baldness may also cause hair loss as do hormonal imbalances and a host of diseases.
Diagnosis
Proper diagnosis for hair loss in women is based on a battery of tests that focuses more on eliminating possible disorders that triggers it rather than finding the actual causes. Some of the common tests include: checking hormone levels; serum iron; serum ferritin; total blood count (TBC) total iron binding capacity (TIBC); screening for syphilis; hair pull test; densitometry; and scalp biopsy.
Common Hair Loss problems In Women
Alopecia Areata- This affects both genders. Unlike in males, total baldness is not so common among females, but the condition alopecia areata certainly is. Characterized by rapid hair loss on a restricted but well-defined area of the scalp, alopecia areata may or may not be associated with other diseases. A genetic predisposition appears to have a strong influence on the incidence of this kind of hair loss. Besides genetic factors, certain autoimmune factors which trigger the body to produce antibodies to hair follicle structures have also been proved to cause this type of hair loss. Treatment options for alopecia areata ranges from allowing the hair to regrow – in case hair loss is less – to using strong topical steroids on the patch.
Androgenic Alopecia- commonly referred to as male pattern baldness, this condition causes hair loss in women too, although the pattern of hair loss in women differs from male pattern baldness. In women, the hairline does not recede and the hair becomes thinner all over the head. This kind of hair loss can be attributed to both genetic and environmental factors. Sedentary lifestyle and a high-calorie diet are also seen to exacerbate this kind of hair loss – it is known that pattern baldness was rare or non existent among traditional societies. Stress related hair loss has also become a common problem lately and is seen to affect both genders.