Main Cause of Female Hair Loss



Hair loss experts do not all agree that there is a main cause of female hair loss. Some believe that hair loss in women is really the work of many different contributory factors. It is reasonably safe to say though that most women who suffer from hair loss are affected by their susceptibility to DHT and hormonal changes.

DHT

Hair loss in both men and women has a lot to do with the actions of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Both men and women have testosterone but women do not have as much as men. In hair follicles, testosterone is converted to DHT by an enzyme known as 5-alpha reductase. DHT may shrink hair follicles of individuals who are genetically predisposed to the effects of DHT. Once the follicles are shrunk, hair will fall off and new hair may be unable to grow because of the condition of the follicles.

Hormones

In women this cause of female hair loss is regulated by estrogen. It is because of estrogen that hair stays in place despite the presence of DHT. In a way this does make sense because men who are at a disadvantage when it comes to estrogen supply end up with larger hairless areas.

This is where estrogen comes in as part of the cause of female hair loss. A woman does not always maintain the same estrogen levels throughout her life. There will be certain points in time in which estrogen levels may drop or fluctuate. These include such instances as childbirth and menopause. This explains why even young women may suffer from hair loss. In general though, most females who suffer from hair loss are those who are approaching or just about done with the menopause stage.

Other Factors

For some female hair loss experts, DHT and hormones are not the end of the story. Hair loss conditions in women may also be partly affected by different enzymes and different receptors for enzymes and hormones. In other words, there is a possibility that female hair loss may be more complicate than it seems. Researchers are still working on it.

The main cause of female hair loss is definitely more difficult to analyze than male causes. This is why it is always important to be careful when it comes to choosing hair loss treatments for women.


————————————

Disclaimer: The data contained in this article is for information purposes only. The article is a product of thorough research but should never be treated as a substitute for medical advice. This site will not be liable for the use of any part of the contents on this page.