Cause and treatment of hair loss in women
According to the Academy of Dermatology, daily hair loss of 50 to 100 hairs is normal. Still, when it comes to abnormal and excessive hair loss in girls and young women, it can be a concern because hair loss during puberty is usually unexpected and for several reasons.
Almost all causes of hair loss are temporary, so do not worry because some natural ways to prevent hair loss in young women and girls, possible causes of excessive hair loss, and treatment options are introduced.
Is hair loss different in women than in men?
Men’s hair gradually thins from the front of the head due to hereditary hair loss, loses its coverage, and the forehead hairline recedes.
Genetic hair loss causes thinning of all the hair on the scalp and poor hair transplantation in women.
Possible causes of excessive hair loss in young women and girls:
Androgenic alopecia in adults
This is due to the high levels of androgen hormones, including testosterone, produced by the adrenal glands in women. The disease has a genetic origin and causes androgens to mature, and increased levels of growth hormones affect the hair follicles, thus eventually causing hair loss.
Infection
Some fungal infections, such as alopecia areata or fungal infections of the scalp, can cause hair loss in children and adults, and these symptoms include hair loss in some parts of the scalp, bald spots, and itchy scalp.
Trichotillomania
It is a mental disorder in which a person tends to pluck the hair. Mokni disorder occurs in adulthood and adolescence.
Stretching alopecia
This problem occurs when women weave their hair or tie it in a ponytail or rabbit tail.
Medications
Hair loss can also be a side effect of medications such as beta-blockers, amphetamines, heparin, and warfarin because cancer-related medications can also cause excessive hair loss.
Improper nutrition
Unhealthy diets and disorders such as bulimia nervosa during puberty can cause hair loss, affecting a person’s weight.
Iron deficiency
One of the causes of hair loss in women is iron deficiency, and blood tests can detect iron deficiency. However, a doctor should be treated with iron deficiency and should not take iron supplements arbitrarily because too much iron in the body can lead to some problems.
Medical conditions
Some hormonal conditions such as thyroid, uncontrolled diabetes, and polycystic ovary syndrome may cause premature ejaculation in young women and girls, and in both hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, hair loss occurs.
Decreased estrogen
One of the causes of hair loss in women is reduced estrogen secretion in the body. Some women experience hair loss during and after menopause due to decreased estrogen secretion.
Hormonal changes after pregnancy
Women may experience hair loss for up to 6 months after giving birth, during which estrogen levels in the blood return to normal.
Skin diseases
Another cause of hair loss in women is skin diseases such as lichen planus, which is very common.
Other causes
Stress, disruption of the natural hair growth cycle, and chemicals in hair-related products can damage the hair and cause hair loss.
Although some of these causes may be corrected by the above steps, they require medical care and treatment in some cases.
When to see a doctor?
When natural remedies are ineffective in preventing hair loss, it is best to see a doctor identify the root cause of excessive hair loss and recommend treatments based on a medical diagnosis.
Natural ways to prevent hair loss in young women and girls:
- Having a healthy diet and healthy hair can be effective in having healthy hair. The following measures can also prevent excessive hair loss: Foods rich in vitamins, minerals, iron, and protein help strengthen hair.
- Be gentle when combing and washing your hair. Use mild shampoos and conditioners as care products can cause bumps and tears.
- Massage your hair with nourishing oils such as coconut oil, which is effective in strengthening hair.
- Do not use a hair iron to prevent long-term damage to the hair.
- After bathing, dry your hair naturally and avoid using a hairdryer with high heat because it will cause damage and hair loss.
- When tying hair in a ponytail, do not pull the rabbit or hair tissue tightly, as this will cause the hair roots to come out and hair to fall out.
- Control your stress and anxiety because it prevents excessive hair loss.
Hair loss treatments for young women and girls:
Medication
Minoxidil helps new hair growth but may not be good for all women and girls. If your doctor recommends it, you should use this medicine regularly and regularly. Your doctor may also prescribe anti-androgen drugs to treat androgenetic alopecia and polycystic ovary syndrome in girls and young women whose bodies produce more androgens. In addition, the use of cyproterone, metformin (hypoglycemia), and spironolactone esters reduce hereditary hair loss in young women and girls.
Rogaine
It is used topically, meaning that it increases blood flow to the scalp when blood vessels in the scalp dilate. Topical application of the drug increases blood flow to the scalp, and the hair receives more nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles. As a result, the hair follicles begin to grow, and after a while, the hair thickens, and pregnant and lactating women should not use this medicine.
Finasteride or Propecia
The drug is sold in pill form and is prescribed to treat hair loss in men and prevents hair loss in women. It prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone or DHT (dihydrotestosterone is a hormone that gradually shrinks hair follicles and shortens the hair growth cycle). Pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant should not use this medicine.
Iron supplements
If hair loss is diagnosed due to iron deficiency, your doctor may prescribe iron supplements.
Antifungal therapy
If your hair loss is due to a fungal infection, your doctor may prescribe shampoo and antifungal medications.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is one of the effective factors in reducing hair loss in women. Unfortunately, the age of marriage has increased, and women get ovarian cysts very soon. With pregnancy, many women’s problems in the field of women’s problems are solved.
Hair transplant
Hair loss can usually be treated with medication, but your doctor may recommend an invasive hair transplant in severe cases, an invasive procedure. This option is suggested to the person as the last step. However, because the benefits of this method outweigh the problems caused by hair loss, you may have to wait years for the hair transplant results to be known.
Hair loss is normal at a young age. It can usually be prevented by a change in lifestyle and a healthy diet, but if the hair loss is due to medical or hereditary conditions or excessive thinning hair, or severe bald spots. If you were, you would need treatment for your underlying illness.
