Discover the Truth Behind Hair Loss in Women.

There are currently more than 25 million women in the United States, who suffer from premature thinning of the hair. In some cases the effect of losing one's hair can trigger severe depression. The most common causes of hair loss in women are related to pregnancy, ,poor nutrition, major surgery, severe stress, thyroid disease, chemotherapy, high fever and other infections. These conditions, however, tend to be temporary and resolve once the root cause is addressed.

Unlike men who become totally bald as they age, many women experience significant hair thinning, especially around the forehead and the crown of the scalp. This usually begins at the beginning of menopause. As women age, their skin also ages due to a reduction in estrogen levels, which also causes thinning of the hair. At the onset of menopause, a women's estrogen levels decline and more testosterone becomes available resulting in a shorter hair growth cycle and finer hair strands. Eventually thinning of hair occurs. At the age of 80 to 90, the women's hair follicles have shrink so much that hair growth completely stops.

Experts say that the typical growth pattern of hair is at the rate of about ½ inch each month with each hair having a growth phase of 2 to 6 years. The hair then "rest" for some time and begins to fall out. This cycle goes on until maturity. However, a group of hormones called androgens alter this natural process of hair growth. According to dermatologists, androgen may include DHT or dihydrotestosterone. When testosterone comes in contact with the enzymes in the hair cell, it is transformed into the more potent DHT and this binds with receptors inside the follicles. Build up of DHT causes the follicles to shrink. Some follicles die resulting in significant hair loss.

Whatever the cause of hair loss in women, it is simply hard to accept. After all, many people feel that hair makes a woman's face prettier. Absence of hair alter the look of even the most beautiful face. If hair loss cannot be prevented, it is best to initiate treatment to slow down the hair loss. There are many treatments available. Some treatments are over the counter while others are more drastic and would need the supervision of a medical practitioner like doctors and dermatologists. Two of the FDA approved and most popular drug-based cures for hair loss is minoxidil and finasteride, also called the wonder drug Propecia. Only these two drugs are approved by the Food and Drug Administration to cure hair loss in the U.S. The methods that would require the doctor's help are surgery, hair implants, low-level laser therapy, hair multiplication and the like. Concealment of hair loss may also be an alternative. There are also many ways to do it like wearing a wig or toupee and through various ways of combing the hair.

As you can see there are many things that can cause hair loss in women. Fortunately, there are proven therapies and resources available. For more information on how to stop hair loss, you can read the following article.