The number of women around the world who suffer from some form of hair loss appears to be rising.  Often traumatic, the syndrome seems to affect a significant number of older women.  Thinning is bad enough, and baldness in women can be emotionally devastating especially when she doesn’t know what to do about it. It doesn’t help when society regard hair as a symbol of desirability and beauty.

The comforting news about hair loss in females is that the predominant cause is not genetics related, but due to temporary metabolic problems. These are often associated to:

-    emotional stress
-    pregnancy
-    child birth [post-pregnancy]
-    anorexia
-    diet [with too little protein and iron; high doses of vitamin A]
-    chemotherapy
-    certain medication
-    hormonal imbalance [e.g. thyroid abnormalities, birth control pills, menopause]
-    major surgery
-    allergic reactions to hair treatments
-    anemic conditions
-    fungal infections
-    prolonged illness.

As many of these conditions are temporary, regrowth may be possible as the hair follicle remains alive. However, it may take anything between 3 – 6 months after the cause has been removed or treated before they experience regrowth of hair. Some women may find that they will not fully regain its former luxurious state.

Genetic-related hair loss in females known as androgenetic alopecia affects approximately one-third of susceptible women, and is usually mild to moderate. Unlike male pattern baldness which thinning are at the temples and crowns, ladies hair loss usually causes hair to thin all over the head but the frontal hairline is maintained. A small percentage of women may develop thinning patterns similar to males.

Hair loss in females may be treated by drugs like minoxidil and finasteride. Effectiveness of these drugs varies from individual to individual, and the condition often reversed once treatment stops. There are also minor concerns about side effects as a result of long-term usage. The other drug which is under testing stage for women is Propecia; however, its effects on fetus is still being investigated.

Other possibilities include hair transplants; however, the results tend to be less satisfactory compared to hair transplant in men.

The best option to managing hair loss in females is accepting the condition if it is not serious.  Otherwise, consider wearing wigs as it is relatively inexpensive and easy option.

If the condition is due to some temporary health condition, natural approaches like taking a balanced diet, exercise, scalp massage, selective nutritional supplements and tropical application of hair tonics may be the best options as these activate hair follicles and makes hair grow faster after the underlying causes have been removed.