Many women face hair loss at any time of their lives. Hair loss can be secondary to many reasons. Unfortunately, the emotional and psychological consequences in women are more severe compared to men, because the common social belief mandates strong and beautiful hair for women throughout their lives. Therefore, baldness is not an acceptable condition for women at any stage of the life. Hair loss has direct effects on social life and psychology of the person, but it can be treated with various modalities, while hair transplant surgery is an option for permanent hair loss cases.
REASONS OF HAIR LOSS IN WOMEN
AGA (Androgenetic Alopecia) is secondary to genetic predisposition and concentration of androgen hormone in body and it is the most common cause of hair loss in women, as is the case with men; the condition usually begins in menopausal period after the age of 40. It is manifested by thinning and loss of hair. The male hormone testosterone, which is secreted from the ovaries and adrenal glands, is responsible for this condition. Although it is much less synthesized compared to men, it interacts with the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme found in the capillary bulb and converts to dihydrotesterone (DHT). DHT leads to thinning and eventually loss of hair. Since concentration of 5-alpha-reductase is low in women, hair loss is significantly less compared to men.
Pregnancy, giving birth, birth control pills and thyroid diseases, which have direct effects on hormones, are also the factors that lead to hair loss in women.
Traction-type hair loss is, unfortunately, another common cause. Hair loss is also caused by ponytails and hairstyles that stretch hair backwards as well as use of tight combs for a long time.
Anemia and low blood iron levels are also among the most significant causes of hair loss in women. Hair loss recovers when they are corrected.
It has been reported that hair loss can be also a side effect of drugs used in cancer, gout, hypertension, arthritis, heart problems and depression.
The conditions that result in heavy stress and emotional trauma are also potent factors that cause sudden hair loss in scalp and trunk. A father, who learned that his son had been imprisoned, presented to our clinic for hair loss that occurred within 2 days even in the eyelashes. In such cases, psychological support will be one of the important steps to solve the problem.
It is also reported that irregular eating habits and excessive weight loss can be important underlying factors.
CLASSIFICATION
“Ludwig Scale” is the most common classification used for hair loss in women.
Stages I, II and III are shown in the image.
Hair loss in women does not occur in the form of an M-shaped backward opening of the hairline that is the usual pattern in men, but it is usually manifested by thinning at the top of the scalp. In the image above, hair loss stages of the “Ludwig Scale” are seen.
The first step should be to understand the causative factors of the hair loss in order to prevent hair loss and restore healthy hair. At this point, blood tests are done and all results are reviewed in detail. Other tests may also be requested to diagnose the diseases that may lead to hair loss. The date of onset and the progression of the hair loss are important in the diagnosis process.
Hair pull test can be performed by the physician at the diagnostic phase. It is a simple test performed by the physician by grasping the hair close to the roots and pulling them downwards from the hair shaft. Microscopic methods can be used to examine hair follicles, while scalp biopsy and tests, such as phototricogram, help evaluation of the scalp at the diagnosis stage.
It is important to diagnose hair loss at the right time and to initiate the treatment before progressing to advanced stages. All causative factors of hair loss are taken into consideration in women, while the treatment is planned. Patients can be started on medical treatment or a surgical procedure can be considered.
Medical treatments mostly include medicines, such as minoxidil and finasteride, which repair the hair follicles. Although it is reported by some patients that these medicines caused side effects such as dry skin and lack of appetite for sex, studies on these side effects did not reveal significant differences between control and placebo groups.
Laser therapy is another method used in the treatment of hair loss. This treatment involves irradiating the hair follicles and it may be effective in strengthening the hair follicles, but it is not a definitive solution.
PRP is performed by injecting blood of the patient with hair loss into the hair follicles. This method is commonly preferred among treatment options of the hair loss and successful outcomes are mostly obtained.
Mesotherapy is a treatment method based on subcutaneous injection to feed the capillary vessels of the hair follicles a mixture that is rich in vitamins, minerals and enzymes. This option has high success rate of treatment.
Hair transplantation is an effective treatment, not only for male patients with hair loss, but also for women who are suffering from this problem. It is important that the procedure is performed by physicians, who are experienced and specialized in relevant disciplines, while state-of-the-art equipment is used, procedure is performed in a hygienic environment and psychological state and comfort of patients are taken into consideration. Various techniques can be preferred for the hair transplant surgery.
Hair loss is a problem that can be alleviated, stopped or prevented by regenerating the hair follicles with various treatment methods. You can have a free-of-charge video conference with our physicians and take support for the detection and treatment of the factors that lead to the hair loss. We, Smile Hair Clinic, are renowned by global efforts in this field and have treated thousands of people to date; our physicians determine the underlying cause of your hair problems and perform a hair transplant surgery, if required.
For detailed information, you can contact us through our website.
