What You Should Know About Female Hair Loss For a female, having a full head of hair is a symbol of beauty and virility. It can be styled, colored, and brushed until it gleams and is generally a source of great personal pride. However, what do you do when your hair starts to look dull and lifeless, or even worse it starts to come out of your head altogether? Read on for a few things that you should know about female hair loss.
On average, a human loses 50 to 100 hairs per day so seeing a little in your hairbrush or sitting at the bottom of the shower is not a situation to be alarmed about. New hair will replace that which is lost and is a part of the hair’s natural cycle. Excessive hair loss though can be a sign of something more serious occurring within the body.
There are several medical reasons why hair loss may be occurring. After pregnancy is one time when it is quite normal for more than average numbers of hair to come out. If you have had major surgery or lost a large amount of weight, the body may be feeling stressed and will shed hair as a result. Additionally, certain types of medication will also cause hair loss so if you have experienced any of these situations, do not be overly concerned at this stage.
The most common cause of hair loss is simply genetics. The way your hair will behave is hereditary and can be based on either your mother or your father. However, if both parents have suffered hair loss in the past then your chances are high too. Within females, this will show up as a thinning around the hairline and behind the fringe. It could begin as early as your 20’s and it could be severe enough that it will spread over the whole scalp. A dermatologist can examine this type of hair loss and will rule out any medical condition through blood work.
Hypothyroidism may be the reason behind your hair loss. Millions of people suffer from this medical condition which occurs when the body is not producing enough of the thyroid hormone. One of the effects of this is that skin, nails, and hair can all become quite brittle and break a lot more easily than normal. If you suspect that your thyroid is not doing its job properly, seek the advice of your medical practitioner so that they can prescribe the appropriate medication as needed.
Females are prone to iron deficiency anemia if they suffer from heavy monthly cycles or do not eat enough iron-rich food. One of the side effects of iron deficiency includes hair loss. A blood test can measure your iron levels and this can be remedied by way of supplements in the diet.
This is just a small list of things that could be behind your hair loss if you are seeing more than the average number flowing down the drain. Take the time to discuss this situation with your physician to rule out any medical conditions. While hair loss can certainly be a situation that is cause for concern, do not let a temporary loss of follicles overtake your life as it most likely can be remedied over time.
