On-Going Bad Hair Days: About Women's Hair Loss

Demi Moore recently shunned the Golden Globes because she was having a bad hair day, but the images she posted on Twitter would more likely make other women envious rather than sympathetic to her apparent hair problems.

For about 4 in 10 women, a bad hair day holds more weight than a mere can of hairspray. After all, whilst it may not be as talked about as Male Pattern Baldness, it’s not unusual for women to experience hair loss and there can be many reasons behind a seemingly unending bad hair day.

Areas of the scalp affected by specific women's hair loss conditions

Menopause

Menopause is often a trigger of women's hair loss. The link lies in hormonal imbalances, stress and ageing. With lowered oestrogen levels, it is believed the presence or effect of DHT increases, so hair loss is likely to present itself in those who have the genetic susceptibility. Physical and emotional stress may also trigger hereditary hair loss, or may at least lead to the temporary hair loss condition, Telogen Effluvium. And unfortunately, hair naturally becomes thinner to a certain degree as we age, regardless of the presence or absence of underlying reasons for hair loss.

Childbirth

Hair loss during pregnancy is quite rare, but after childbirth it is very common. This is known as Postpartum Alopecia. Contrary to the effects of menopause, the hormone changes that take place during pregnancy foster a superior environment for healthy and extended hair growth. But bad hair days may seem unrelenting following the birth, when those hormones level out and get back to normal. The hairs that should but did not fall during pregnancy shed with the other average 10% that fall naturally daily.

Poor Health

Any dietary deficiency or poor health regime has the potential to lead to bad hair days. Anorexia, bulimia and iron-deficiency anaemia are health concerns that commonly result in hair loss among women and although they are usually only temporary, they could manifest in genetic patterns of thinning where hereditary tendencies are apparent.

View Belgravia's Women's Hair Loss Treatment Success Stories (Results May Vary and Are Not Guaranteed)

It is wise for women with thinning hair to undergo blood tests to ensure their iron and zinc levels are normal. Iron or zinc deficiency may lead to hairloss so, if this is established as the problem, normal hair growth should resume within three to six months. If it does not clear up within this time, however, an additional issue may be at play and professional advice should be sought.

Other Reasons for Hair Loss in Women

A number of other problems can lead to hair thinning among women.  It’s often a side effect of medical conditions like thyroid problems, diabetes and coeliac disease, as well as of some drugs and medications used to treat depression, heart problems, arthritis, and high blood pressure. Taking birth control pills also may result in hair loss for some women.

For most women, hair loss isn’t about going bald; it’s about thinning, lifeless hair and inexorable bad hair days. But Belgravia hair specialists say once women are aware of what's causing their excess hair fall, they are often able to deal with and overcome the problem.

"It's important to inform women about the possibilities that might have them in this situation and then advise them on how best to manage it," says senior Belgravia hair loss specialist Leonora Doclis. "If an externals factor is responsible and then addressed, normal hair growth usually resumes within a few months. Other times the problem is genetic, or an otherwise temporary condition has triggered that underlying trait."

Regardless of temporary or hereditary thinning, there are hair loss treatment options available to help address the problem. Belgravia Centre specialists say it is often possible to manage women's hair loss conditions without turning to these treatments, but that they are worth keeping in mind if there is any problem in stimulating normal hair growth or if the rate of hair fall continues.