Hair Loss in Women - Hair Loss & Hair Transplant Surgery Guide

Hair loss is quite common in women, but it can be particularly difficult to deal with, and there can be a number of causes.

Many women feel that hair loss is a male condition, and so when they experience it they feel that they are becoming masculinised. However, the majority of cases of hair loss in women are unrelated to male hormones.

Women are as likely as men to suffer from the types of patchy and total baldness described above, and the causes are unrelated to male hormones. Additionally, it is common for women to experience thinning of the hair after the menopause. This pattern of hair loss is similar to male-pattern baldness, and is caused by the hormone testosterone. However, all women have testosterone in their bodies. Those who develop thinning hair do not have more testosterone than other women, their hair follicles simply become more sensitive to testosterone following the menopause. This type of thinning hair will never lead to complete baldness.

There are also medical conditions that can lead to hair loss in women. Particularly if there are other symptoms such as the development of facial hair, acne, and irregular periods, there may actually be a problem where the body is producing too much testosterone (a condition known as polycystic ovary disease). This can be identified by blood tests, and possibly an ultrasound scan, so it is important to visit your doctor if you are concerned about hair loss.

Many other conditions such as anaemia, stress, thyroid dysfunction, childbirth and any severe physical illness can all affect hair growth. There a variety of treatments available depending on the cause, some of which are detailed below. There are also many support groups available for women to help them cope with the experience of hair loss, which many sufferers find particularly useful.