Hair loss affects women of all ages and origins, and can be caused by a range of factors. Many opportunists exist who do not care about women's overall health and well-being, and instead only want to hawk products in order to turn a profit. The tricky thing about baldness and hair loss is that few treatments actually do work, and the ones that are effective do not work the same for everyone.
Hair Loss: Lifestyle and Natural Remedies
Very little evidence exists that shows that hair loss can be caused by lifestyle factors. For example, many specific diets or lifestyle regimes are touted as being able to cure baldness. A woman's diet probably does not impact hair loss. Some research suggests that women with diets low in iron may be more likely to experience hair loss. It's important to ensure that you are getting enough iron, but it may not have a drastic effect on your hair.
Other natural treatments and remedies such as herbal medications, acupuncture, aromatherapy, and head messages also usually have very little impact on hair growth.
Hair Loss Medications
It can be difficult to find treatment for hair loss because there are not many effective options available. It is even more difficult for women to find an adequate treatment, being there are fewer approved prescription treatments for women than there are for men. Less is also known about the hormone interactions that may cause hair loss in woman than the hormone changes that cause hair loss in men. However, some of the most effective treatments include:
Minoxidal: This product is available both over-the-counter and as a prescription, and is one of the most widely-used treatments for baldness. It is applied topically and regularly to the scalp. Studies done on women using minoxidal showed that 19% experienced moderate regrowth and 40% experienced minimal regrowth.
Spironolactone: This treatment reduces the amount of fluid in the body. It also slows down the production of androgens in the ovaries and in the adrenal glands. Androgens have been connected to baldness, so this interaction may help to resolve the issue.
Treatments that do not aim to cause hair growth are also available. This includes makeup, tattoos, hats, and wigs that can conceal hair loss or replicate the look of actual hair.
More Information
Hair loss can be difficult to experience, especially for women, because we are often judged based on appearance and our hair plays a large role in this. There are many support groups available for women who experience hair loss, so it may be helpful to join one. It is also a good idea to talk to your doctor, who will be able to completely go over what treatment options are available for you.
Sources
- Mayo Clinic.(n.d).Hair Loss.Retrieved from www.mayoclinic.com
- American Hair Loss Association. (2010). Treatment. Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://www.americanhairloss.org/women_hair_loss/treatment.asp