Top tips for women concerned about hair loss
Alopecia a medical term used to describe the loss of visible hair and there are many different causes. Most people loose 50-100 hairs a day throughout their lives. When the hair loss exceeds normal levels or is worse in a particular area this is known as 'pathological hair loss'.
Male and female pattern baldness (when the hair starts to recede over both temples and on the top of the head) is common. In men it is known to be hereditary, but in women the cause is less well known.
Other causes of hair loss are usually excluded by a visit to your GP. So if you are one of those patients who has been told that there seems to be no medical cause for your hair loss, here is what I recommend.
Look at what has changed recently to see if there is an obvious cause for the hair loss
Excessive shedding of the hair (known as telogen effluvium) causes thinning of the hair rather than bald patches and can be a reaction to hormonal changes (such as changes in the post natal period when many women loose lots of hair), emotional or physical stress, changes in diet or new medication. The menopause can also be a time when women notice hair loss.
Get your GP to check your thyroid gland is functioning normally
An under-active thyroid gland can cause hair loss and is common particularly if there is a family history of thyroid disease. It is easy to treat and worth knowing about
Take some Zinc
There is some evidence that zinc deficiency causes hair loss and so it is worth trying a zinc supplement to see if this helps.
Consider taking an iron supplement
One of my patients was told by a specialist that for optimal hair growth the ferritin (iron store level in the blood) needs to be greater than 100. Over the years I have found that this is a useful tip, many patients have seen improved hair thickness when they keep their iron stores boosted by taking an iron supplement.
Don't use hair straighteners or heated curlers
Some patients have reported that stopping straightening their hair has greatly improved their hair loss symptom, so this is definitely worth a go.
Don't worry as this only makes things worse
This one is hard, but as we know that stress causes hair loss this one is important. Anything that you can do to help manage stress and anxiety in your life is worthwhile. Try mindfulness or talk to a friend or counsellor.
I hope that this has been helfpul.
With best wishes
Dr Amanda Northridge
Male and female pattern baldness (when the hair starts to recede over both temples and on the top of the head) is common. In men it is known to be hereditary, but in women the cause is less well known.
Other causes of hair loss are usually excluded by a visit to your GP. So if you are one of those patients who has been told that there seems to be no medical cause for your hair loss, here is what I recommend.
Look at what has changed recently to see if there is an obvious cause for the hair loss
Excessive shedding of the hair (known as telogen effluvium) causes thinning of the hair rather than bald patches and can be a reaction to hormonal changes (such as changes in the post natal period when many women loose lots of hair), emotional or physical stress, changes in diet or new medication. The menopause can also be a time when women notice hair loss.
Get your GP to check your thyroid gland is functioning normally
An under-active thyroid gland can cause hair loss and is common particularly if there is a family history of thyroid disease. It is easy to treat and worth knowing about
Take some Zinc
There is some evidence that zinc deficiency causes hair loss and so it is worth trying a zinc supplement to see if this helps.
Consider taking an iron supplement
One of my patients was told by a specialist that for optimal hair growth the ferritin (iron store level in the blood) needs to be greater than 100. Over the years I have found that this is a useful tip, many patients have seen improved hair thickness when they keep their iron stores boosted by taking an iron supplement.
Don't use hair straighteners or heated curlers
Some patients have reported that stopping straightening their hair has greatly improved their hair loss symptom, so this is definitely worth a go.
Don't worry as this only makes things worse
This one is hard, but as we know that stress causes hair loss this one is important. Anything that you can do to help manage stress and anxiety in your life is worthwhile. Try mindfulness or talk to a friend or counsellor.
I hope that this has been helfpul.
With best wishes
Dr Amanda Northridge
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