Why Do Women Experience Thinning Hair? Possible Treatments Explained
Hair loss can be caused by many different factors.
The most common cause of thinning hair in women is hereditary and hormonal changes that are experienced during menopause, pregnancy, or childbirth.
Women also experience the effects of aging more than men do which means that they may have a higher risk for experiencing thinning hair as they get older. There are some other possible causes of hair loss such as stress, lack of sleep, dieting too much, or not enough protein intake to name a few.
Women often turn to medication or supplements to try and regrow their hair. This article will go over some of the possible treatments for thinning hair.
What Does Thinning Hair Mean for Women?
When a woman experiences hair loss, it means that her body isn’t absorbing the nutrients she needs to support healthy hair growth.
Thinning hair can be caused by a number of reasons like stress, malnutrition, hormonal changes such as pregnancy or menopause, iron deficiency anemia, or thyroid issues. It can also result from chemical damage that worsens over time.
With all these hormones in flux, hair can become thin or dry (among other issues). Experts agree that hair loss in a woman will trigger significant social and emotional issues which lead to low self-esteem or depression as they struggle with their new appearance.
It is true that there are many causes of hair loss, but luckily there are a lot of treatments that work for most people! Recognizing the underlying problem is crucial so you can consult your doctor before assuming what you need to do.
It’s important to moisturize regularly and take care of the skin beneath the surface as well.
The first step should always be switching out processed food and sugar with natural ones like fruits, vegetables, cheese, etc.
You’ll also want to get enough sleep and exercise on a regular basis because they help regulate hormone levels which affect how our bodies make use of the important nutrients we eat.
Why Do Women Experience Thinning Hair More Than Men Do?
Women are more susceptible to thinning hair because they experience hormonal changes during their lifetimes.
A woman’s hormones fluctuate and change as she goes through different stages in her life like puberty, pregnancy, menopause, or childbirth which can cause a lot of stress on the delicate follicles that produce new hair cells.
Hair loss is also one of many symptoms experienced with thyroid disease conditions so be sure to have your doctor check for this before assuming what you need to do. The same goes if you’re experiencing extreme weight loss, anemia due to iron deficiency, or other health issues such as diabetes.
This is also why post-menopausal women have a much greater risk of developing conditions linked to hair loss. Lack of estrogen accelerates deterioration at every level. This deterioration manifests as increased thinning, brittle hair that tends to separate from the root prematurely.
Women also experience thinning hair more often because they use a lot of chemicals on their hair from dandruff shampoo to shelf produce. It is important to note that every time we wash our hair with any product, it causes the follicles of the scalp to lose tiny scales which makes them unable to produce new strands.
Men typically do not have this problem because they usually do not treat their hair with as many products, and additionally because male testosterone naturally lowers estrogen levels which help promote healthy thickness in the follicle shafts.
Types of Treatments for Thinning Hair
There are a wide variety of treatments that can be used to help women with their hair loss. The first step is differentiating the cause and then figuring out which treatment will work best for you.
Some possible options include:
Medical Treatments
Medication: This includes taking medication like Rogaine (minoxidil) which is applied topically to the scalp. It can slow hair loss and stimulate new hair in some cases, but it’s not a cure-all solution.
Typically, your doctor will prescribe medication to help you with the underlying issue so that hair loss ceases.
Oral Contraceptives: Some doctors believe this is one viable option for women experiencing thinning hair because it has been shown to help.
Oral supplementation with Biotin: This is a vitamin that has been shown to increase hair thickness and strength in some cases, but it’s not always successful for everyone because the results are inconsistent.
Surgery: A hair transplant is a surgery that moves healthy hairs from the back of your head to the front, which can be a good option for some women who have very thin hair on top but still have lots of thickness in the back.
Non-Medical Treatments
Natural remedies that can help with female pattern baldness – castor oil, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar
Also, modern technology showed that there are hair loss prevention products, hair regrowth products, and hair thickening products we can use.
Shampoo: If you’re experiencing thinning hair, it’s a good idea to switch out your store-bought shampoo in favor of something natural like baking soda or apple cider vinegar. This is because the chemicals and dyes found in regular shampoos can cause dryness which contributes to breakages that lead to hair loss.
CO-Washing: This is a cleaning method that avoids the traditional shampoo and conditioner routine by washing with only conditioner or co-washing which stands for “conditioning only”. This will allow your natural oils to stay in place, making it easier for them to provide nutrients while aiding in moisture retention.
Hair Extensions: A hair extension is a clip that attaches to the natural hair on top and extends it in order for you to wear your own hair as if it were longer than what it actually is.
Hats, Scarves & Headbands: Wearing hats or scarves can help hide thinning patches of the scalp while headbands can be used to cover up a receding hairline.
How to Prevent or Slow Down Your Rate of Balding – Lifestyle Changes That Can Help With This Problem
The following is a list of lifestyle changes that can help you prevent or slow down your rate of balding.
It’s important to take care of your hair itself, which includes washing it with natural products and avoiding over-conditioning because this will dry out the follicles. You should also avoid brushing your hair too often and wear protective styles to limit damage from braids or tight weaves.
In order to prevent or slow your rate of balding, you should lose weight and get regular exercise. It’s also important to appropriately tackle the ills that may be making your hair fall out – such as stress, hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiency, poor sleep habits, and other factors.
Just for good measure – a healthy diet is essential! Eat lots of leafy greens, maintain protein intake at about 25% of total calories with moderate fat intake, and don’t overdo the carbohydrates.
Remember to include enough B vitamins like vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) which can stimulate hair growth while keeping it shiny and strong. Drink plenty of water – around 5-20 cups a day – and have at least one cup of green tea each day for its antioxidant properties.
A healthy diet rich in omega-rich foods like flaxseed oil, walnuts, eggs, trout as well as plenty of green vegetables is all essential for maintaining overall health including preventing thinning hair.
The Final Word on Women’s Thinning Hair
It’s been said that up to 50% of women experience hair loss, and it can be a devastating blow. Fortunately, there are treatments available for every type of female pattern baldness out there – from Rogaine through laser therapy. Talk with your doctor about the options that will work best for you based on your lifestyle and budget!
Prevention is key so if this sounds like something you might experience down the road, consider doing things such as wearing protective headgear when playing sports or taking certain medications which could contribute to hair growth problems later on in life.
So, if you’re experiencing hair loss, don’t panic. There are many possible treatments available to help reverse the effects of thinning hair and even regrow your locks.
