Potential Causes Of Hormonal Hair Loss In Women And Men
Along with the many symptoms of hormone imbalances that affect how we feel physically, there are also possible symptoms that negatively impact our looks, self-confidence, and identity hair loss is one of those.
Man or woman, we all want to look and feel our best. Hair loss is hard as it is, but hormonal hair loss is somehow worse its as though our bodies are turning against us.
Can a hormonal imbalance cause hair loss? In some cases, yes. Lets discuss in detail.
Thinning Hair Following Pregnancy
Other hormonal imbalances can also lead to hair loss, especially the wildly fluctuating hormones that occur following pregnancy and childbirth. It takes time after pregnancy for hormone levels to return to normal, so its not at all uncommon for post-partum moms to notice thinning hair or even patches of baldness. This often occurs about three months after babys arrival. Dont worry as the rest of your body recovers, so will your hair follicles. The hair loss is only temporary your hair will grow back.
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Who Is At Risk Of Losing Hair
Hair fall that is caused by fluctuating testosterone levels is linked to both male and female pattern baldness.
Female pattern baldness usually affects women post-menopause as their androgen levels tend to rise and estrogen levels drop. Researchers also tend to link genetics with this form of balding.
Did You Know?
- Male pattern baldness may affect one in their teenage years but is more common among adults. According to the US National Library of Medicine, over 50 percent of men above the age of 50 are affected.
Wrapping Up
Fluctuating testosterone can result in balding in both men and women. Testosterone produces a hormone called dihydrotestosterone which is responsible for balding in males and females.
Some may be genetically sensitive to this hormone where as others may have high levels of it. Using proven medications to block DHT from binding to hair follicles can prevent hair fall.
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Bioidentical Hormones And Hair Loss
Some researchers believe that bioidentical hormones do fight the symptoms of menopause, hair loss included. Bioidentical hormones have the exact molecular structure of the hormones that a womans body produces naturally. In other words, these hormones are no different from the hormones that womens bodies produce from about age 12 through 51. Bioidentical hormones are just as effective in eliminating symptoms of menopause as synthetic hormones at balancing the fluctuating hormones that cause hair loss and other menopausal symptoms.
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Eat Protein At Every Meal
Consuming an adequate amount of protein at each meal is extremely important, as protein influences the release of hormones that control appetite and food intake.
Eating enough protein can and stimulate the production of hormones that help you feel full.
To optimize hormonal health, aim to consume a minimum of the recommended 20 to 30 grams of protein per meal.
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How Too Much Progesterone Causes Hair Loss
The best way to explain that correctly is that it can actually cause it. Heres the explanation.
When you are treating estrogen or progesterone deficiency, you must use natural progesterone to correct the problem. However, it must be used with caution because the excessive application of progesterone tends to lead to hair loss.
How does this happen? When the hair follicle is exposed to excessive progesterone, it shuts down and stops responding. You only need small doses of progesterone, thyroid hormone, and estrogen to take care of the problem.
However, one good way to solve the problem is to return to normal ovulation instead of depending on pills or other medications.
When you are tempted to add more to the number of hormones you are already taking, then you really need to reduce it at that point. If you are not sure what to do, you have to see the doctor for further directives.
What Causes Male Pattern Baldness
DHT
The hormone dihydrotestosterone is a major contributor to male pattern hair loss. Dihydrotestosterone is a byproduct of testosterones interaction with Type II 5-alpha reductase. Type II 5-alpha reductase is contained in the oil glands of hair follicles.DHT shrinks sensitive and susceptible hair follicles. As follicles shrink, hair becomes progressively thinner. Total pattern baldness occurs when thinning hair becomes so miniaturized that it stops growing altogether. Unfortunately, this hair-follicle sensitivity is genetic, shared by men within familial lines. While DHT is present in all men and women, not everyone has the same level of DHT-sensitive hair follicles.
Hair follicles that are sensitive to DHT grow back thinner with each hair growth cycle. If left untreated, these hairs will eventually disappear altogether.
There are areas of the head that are genetically resistant to the effects of DHT, even in the baldest men. These areas are where donor hair is taken during hair transplants. It is important to note that follicular unit extraction method of graft harvesting takes donor hair from outside this permanent zone, as this method cannot obtain as many grafts as follicular unit transplantation , also known as the Strip Method.
The donor area/permanent zone is an area of hair that is genetically resistant to DHT, so it is not prone to thinning. This limited area is where grafts are taken for hair transplants.
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Can You Reverse Or Slow Down Dht In Men
Absolutely. Medical advancements have improved significantly and are now able to target patientsâ individual needs instead of a one-size-fits-all approach. Slowing down the impact of too high or too low levels of DHT is easy with the aid of a DHT blocker.
While DHT isnât exactly the same as testosterone, it is similar enough it can be blocked much the same with products like Biotine or Rogaine. Consider putting down the over-the-counter shampoos and reaching out to your doctor for a proper prescription. Youâll receive a more accurate diagnosis that gets to the root of your hair loss.
When used consistently and correctly, a DHT blocker can take a minimum of three months and a maximum of six to seven to show results. While your hair is unlikely to look the same as it did a few decades ago, targeting the hormonal imbalance will slow down hair loss, improve hair thickness, and promote more even coverage significantly.
How Hormones Affect The Growth Of Your Hair
At Honest Hair Restoration in Bradenton, Florida, we understand how thinning hair and hair loss can change your confidence levels and negatively impact your life. Led by board-certified hair transplant specialist and medical director , our team offers comprehensive hair restoration services to patients in the Tampa, Sarasota, and Ft. Myers areas.
If youre struggling with hair loss, you may wonder about the causes and whether theres anything you can do to prevent it. Although hair loss is common, different risk factors and underlying issues may cause changes in your hair growth, including your hormones.
Learn what you need to know about how hormones affect the growth of your hair.
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How Is Hair Loss Defined
Hair loss, a medical condition called alopecia, can affect your scalp or your entire body, and it may be temporary or permanent.
While anyone can lose the hair on their head, its more common in men than in women. Still, some hair loss in both men and women is normal on a daily basis, usually around 100 hairs each day. The difference is that with a healthy head of hair, the old hairs are quickly and continually replaced by new ones.
As a result, it may be difficult to notice thinning hair at the crown, often a first sign of male baldness. This is the most common type of alopecia and accounts for nearly 95% of hair loss in guys. While thinning at the crown is fairly common, if patches of hair are falling out of your beard or other areas of your body, you may have a much more serious type of alopecia.
What Is The Pattern Of Hair Loss
- Patchy? You may have a cortisol imbalance, a deficiency in B vitamins or zinc or heavy metal exposure.
- Thinning? You may have a hormonal imbalance, such as thyroid.
- Top of the head only? Testosterone, progesterone, cortisol or estrogen may be out of balance.
- Total body hair loss? DHEA, blood sugar regulation or circulation may be at play.
- Balding all over? You may be experiencing poor circulation or a deficiency in protein, essential fatty acids, B vitamins, silicon or zinc.
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Why Is Hair Loss More Common In Men Than Women
Statistics show that men are much more likely to experience hair loss at some point in their lives than women are. More than 55% of women and 85% of men are likely to experience some kind of hair loss in their lifetime. Although hair loss in men is commonplace, it does not make it any less embarrassing or disheartening for the person experiencing in. Losing ones hair can really knock your confidence and make you feel an array of emotions that can lead you to feeling quite depressed about the whole thing.
Many men choose to hide their hair loss for as long as possible before looking for a solution, such as hair loss surgery. However, hair loss doesnt need to be a reason to hide away when the solution is a quick and easy procedure which can give you back a full, healthy head of hair.
Whilst both men and women can experience hair loss, it tends to be more noticeable in men. This is due to the fact that men and women lose their hair in very different ways. Here well examine why hair loss appears to be more common in men than women.
Other Causes Of Hair Loss In Men
If you are experiencing hair loss it could also be indicative of an some other underlying problem, like diabetes or lupus. Some fungal infections can lead to hair loss as well.
Since its not always possible to determine the cause of rapidly-occurring or significant hair loss, it is always a good idea to seek out advice from a medical professional in order to properly pinpoint the cause of your hair loss.
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Can Hormonal Hair Loss Be Reversed
Hormonal hair loss can be difficult to detect, but once diagnosed, you can work towards ways that can help in reversing this condition.
Hormonal hair loss is reversible, but, you need to ensure that you closely work with your dermatologist, so as to understand the root cause well and to take necessary steps to balance-out your hormonal levels. Along with the cosmetic treatments, suggested by the doctor.
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Hair Loss Due To Medication
Hair loss is a common side effect of a variety of medications. Blood-thinning medications , antidepressants, beta blockers, NSAIDS, and vitamin A-based drugs have all been linked thinning of the hair or baldness. Chemotherapy is also known for causing hair lossoften the loss of body and facial as well. However, as with chemotherapy, the hair follicles will re-grow once youve stopped using whatever medication was causing the hair loss.
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Can Testosterone Replacement Cause Hair Loss
Androgens like DHT are known hair loss culprits, so is excess Testosterone also bad for hair health? Learn more about testosterone replacement and hair loss.
For men who want to look good and feel their best as they get older, they may be looking into ways to help reduce hair loss as well as potentially undergoing testosterone replacement therapy if their levels are low. This often comes along with a lot of questions, as there are a few myths out there regarding testosterone replacement therapy and how it can affect your hair.
Having normal amounts of testosterone in your body can be fine for your hair, as hair loss has more to deal with how your specific hair follicles respond to another hormone which can be derived from testosterone called dihydrotestosterone . For men who have a genetic sensitivity to DHT, their hair follicles are more sensitive to the damaging effects of the hormone, and may experience hair shrinkage, shortening, and the eventual loss of the hair from DHT hanging around. It is this genetic sensitivity to DHT that is the main culprit behind male pattern hair loss, and not necessarily the testosterone itself.
How Estrogen Affects Hair During Menopause
It is inevitable that the anxieties increase in women who have entered the menopause period. There are many questions about menopause, which has a very important place in womens life. Apart from hot flashes, weight gain decreased sexual desire and loss of thinning and elasticity of the skin, one of the things women are most concerned about is hair loss. In the female body that produces both estrogen and testosterone before menopause, hair loss is faced because the level of estrogen hormone together with menopause is less effective against testosterone hormone. With the continuation of the menopause process, hair loss can also increase.
The hair loss mechanism of women in this period is similar to that of men. Therefore, treatments for male pattern hair loss can be applied in its treatment. Menopause increases hair loss, but not every woman who enters the menopause will necessarily lose her hair. Because, in addition to hormones, genes also have an effect on hair loss during womens menopause. Approximately two-thirds of women who enter menopause have hair loss. Others only have thinning hair.
In the majority of polycystic ovarian patients, the male-type hair loss that develops as a result of the effect of increased androgen hormones and the hormone balance that deteriorates in women is a significant complaint, and with the treatment of the disease, hair loss stops and the hair grows again.
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Hair Loss And Thyroid Imbalance
Hair loss is a typical symptom of thyroid disorders. Thyroid disease a form of hormonal imbalance and when the thyroid gland isnt functioning properly, other hormones throughout the body are affected as a result. Thyroid-related hair loss is often preceded by changes in the hairs texture, usually becoming dry, coarse, and easily tangled. Facial and body hair growth can also be stunted by a thyroid imbalance. In fact, a symptom unique to hypothyroidism is thinning of the outer edge of the eyebrows.
How Can Hair Loss Be Treated
Youve heard the ads and infomercials touting the latest scheme for regrowing hair and ending thinning. Heres the reality. Lets walk through the available options.
- Minoxidil Minoxidil is the only over-the-counter medication for hair loss approved by the FDA for use by both men and women. It wont return hair to areas it has left, but it will slow hair loss. Brand names are Rogaine and Theroxidil. These products, and the generic form, work for about two thirds of men and women. They are most effective when the patient is under age 40 and has just begun to lose his or her hair.
- A Prescription strength pill is also available but it is used for blood pressure.
- Finasteride Finasteride is a prescription oral tablet used to treat male pattern hair loss. Brand name is Propecia. Also prescribed to treat an enlarged prostate, finasteride works by decreasing the amount of the hormone dihydrotestosterone in your body. DHT normally causes the prostate gland to grow larger, but the decrease also leads to increased hair growth and decreased hair loss. Finasteride doesnt affect hair growth on other parts of the body.
- Anti-Androgen Therapy Androgens include testosterone and other male hormones. These can accelerate hair loss in women. Some women who dont respond to minoxidil may benefit from the addition of the anti-androgen drug spironolactone for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as female pattern hair loss.
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Understanding The Hair Cycle
Generally, the average adult human loses about 50 to 100 strands of hair per day . Thatâs a natural part of the hair cycle. Some hairs fall out while others grow. The anagen phase is the active growth period when new hairs grow from their follicles. Next, the hair continues its growth cycle while the root of the hair gradually detaches from the follicle. Lastly, during the telogen phase, the hair has stopped its growth and eventually gets shed .
For those with female pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia, the anagen phase gets shorter and shorter while the telogen phase gets longer. Eventually, there are no new hairs to replace those that have fallen out .
What Hormones Cause Hair Loss In Males
If you are a man, the stats for maintaining a full head of hair can look grim.
Approximately 35 million men in the United States will suffer some type of hair loss during their lifetime.
And roughly 25 percent of men with hereditary male pattern baldness begin losing their hair before their 21st birthday.
By the time they reach 35, around66 percent of all menwill have some degree of hair loss.
While genetics play a major role in hair loss, hormones are also a huge piece of the hair loss puzzle.
Ultimately,testosterone and thyroid levels are to blamefor hormonal imbalance hair loss in men.
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Androgen Hormones And Hair Loss
For males we know that this relationship between androgens and hair loss is very strong. In females it’s not always clear that androgens are playing a role. However in some women, it’s very clear that androgens do play a role. This lack of clarity comes from inconsistent results when looking at blood and serum levels of the circulating androgens in women that lose their hair. Most women with frontal and central hair pattern baldness have normal circulating androgens and do not present with hyper androgenization, like facial hair growth, acne, and lack of ovulation. This type of hair loss has also been found in women lacking actual androgen receptors. On the other hand, many women with hyper-androgenization also exhibit and complain about this same type of hair loss in the front and in the central part of the scalp. In one sense there is a clear role for androgens. In another sense, there does not appear to be in the women.