Hair loss treatments are important for women that are faced with this problem. Hair loss in women is not as common and not as serious as in men, since it does not usually lead to complete baldness. However, in women, this condition can appear as early as the age of 20, although it is not very common.
In most cases, hair loss is caused by hormonal changes and genetic predisposition, and therefore some treatments address this particular problem. Estrogen and Progesterone treatments are recommended to restore the hormonal balance.
Causes of Hair Loss in Women
Hair loss is a worrisome problem that some women are confronted with. It is normal for everyone to lose a certain amount of hair daily (from 5 to 100 hairs per day), but this problem becomes more stressful as the quantity of lost hairs increases. There are situations when hair loss is caused by genetic factors, including androgenetic alopecia. In these cases, androgen hormones (testosteron, androtestosteron and DHT) are present in the body above normal levels. There are also non-genetic causes for hair loss due to:
- Perimenopausal periods
- Pregnancy
- Thyroidal conditions
- Emotional or physical stress
- Surgeries or illness and associated medication
- Vitamin deficiencies and deficient nutrition
- Styling products
- High fever
- Skin conditions
In most cases, the cause is hormonal. Heredity, menopause, pregnancy and stress are situations when women experience hormonal changes.
Hormonal Imbalance and Hair Loss in Women
Both men and women inherit the gene responsible for hair loss from their parents. In women, testosterone is produced by the adrenal glands and the ovaries, but it cannot cause hair loss due to the protection offered by Estrogen and Progesterone. These 2 hormones reduce the production of DHT (resulted from the metabolism of testosterone) and prevent it from attaching to the follicle. Any situation of hormonal imbalance, which results in low amounts of Progesterone and Estrogen in the body, can cause hair loss, especially in women who have a hereditary predisposition.
Estrogen and Progesterone
If you lose hair in amounts that worry you, it is best to go to the doctor for a correct diagnosis. Since causes of hair loss can vary and the condition can be permanent or temporary, it is highly recommended that you start treating it under medical supervision. If the condition is triggered by hormonal imbalance, medical advice is absolutely necessary. Hormonal substitution therapy consisting of an intake of Estrogen and Progesterone is frequently prescribed for women dealing with menopause.
Estrogen and Progesterone, pills or cream, are probably the most frequent form of systemic treatment for women during menopause or for women who have low Progesterone or Estrogen levels due to other causes. The hormonal substitution reinstates the hormonal balance to a normal level, especially during the post-menopausal period, and can help with hair loss. In many cases, only Progesterone or Estrogen has to be supplemented.
Consult your doctor to ensure correct treatment, for doses, intervals of administration, and the exact type of hormones needed to help with the hair loss.
