Balding in females – what it says about their health

Balding in females could be an indicator of some underlying health condition.

Dr Anitha Anchan | Updated: June 6, 2016 8:41 am

Tags: Balding

Are you losing more hair than you should? Losing around 50-100 strands per day is normal but increased numbers isn’t. It is a sign of hair loss which could leave you bald. Balding is having little or no hair on the scalp. And the term is most often associated with males. But you couldn’t be more wrong. Balding is not strictly a man’s disease. Women can lose their hair and go bald too. But unlike males, females tend to lose hair uniformly all around the scalp.

The thickness, as well as volume of hair, reduces as you age. This type of hair loss is called involutional alopecia. The hair follicles gradually go into the resting (telogen) phase and the remaining hair becomes shorter and fewer. Many other factors contribute to hair loss. Since hair loss isn’t life threatening little attention is paid to it. But losing hair can be devastating to a woman’s self-image and emotional well-being. Balding isn’t a healthy sign and it could also be an indicator of some underlying condition.

1. Hormonal imbalance

Are you a female with general thinning of the hair over your entire scalp or extensive hair loss at the crown with intact hairline? If yes, you have female pattern hair loss (FPHL). This type of balding is attributed to excessive androgen levels. Hair thinning may start in your 20s but it may be noticeable only in your 40s or later. With time, your hair part becomes wider and the scalp becomes progressively more visible. You may also suffer from other problems like acne, irregular or scanty periods and excessive body hair growth.

If you have menstrual irregularities and your hair starts to feel markedly thinner, it may be a sign of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) which is commonly seen as a hormonal imbalance in women.

2. An autoimmune condition

Do you have one to two totally smooth, round patches of hair loss on your scalp? This condition is called alopecia areata or patchy hair loss. It is an autoimmune disorder in which your body attacks its own hair follicles and destroys them. An extensive form of this condition is called alopecia totalis wherein the entire scalp goes bald. Hair may also be lost from the eyebrows, face, arms or legs. The onset is sudden and the hair usually grows back in six to twelve months.

3. Infections in the scalp

You may have a scalp infection. Bacteria can cause inflammation of the hair follicles (folliculitis) of the scalp mainly attacking the crown or base of the scalp. It can cause severe hair loss.

4. Psychological disorder

If you notice hair patches with broken-off hair, trichotillomania or hair pulling disorder could be the culprit. It is a psychological disorder in which you will have the habit of voluntarily twisting or pulling your own hair from the scalp and eyelashes.

5. Chronic conditions

Your hair loss could be caused by chronic illnesses like diabetes, thyroid disorders or even arthritis. Poor blood supply to the hair follicles in diabetes causes the loss of your existing hair and also prevents the growth of new ones. Has your once thick and lustrous hair turned fine and limp? Check your thyroid hormone levels. The haywire metabolism of the body in thyroid disorders doesn’t spare your hair. Similarly, using painkillers to treat acute arthritis pain can also affect the health of your mane.

6. Genetic conditions

Genetics is one factor over which you have no control. At times, you might have to just compromise on less, weak hair because your hair is genetically programmed so. There are other genetic factors like lupus, etc. that can lead to hair loss.

7. Skin conditions

Poor hair quality and reversible patchy hair thinning or bald patches may be a sign of severe local skin disease. Skin conditions like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, cutaneous lupus erythematosus, etc.

8. Hair shaft defects

Some structural abnormalities of the hair shaft are associated with hair fragility leading to hair loss [1]. The defect can be inherited and congenital. It may also be acquired due to excessive brushing, traction hair pulling, hair straightening, perming or dyeing, hair dryer heat or disease.

Tying your hair too tightly in a bun or ponytail may keep them well-kempt. But doing so all the time can damage the hair roots and lead to a condition termed as traction alopecia. The and often caused due to pulling of hair, causing. The balding may occur near the forehead or area near the neck.

9. Stress

Stress is known to take its toll on your hair too. The exact reason why stress leads to excessive hair loss is not established yet. It could probably be related to the hormonal imbalances caused by elevated stress levels could. A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology says that stress induces catagen (the phase where hair growth stops) in the hair cycle and inhibits hair growth.

10. Nutritional deficiencies

Anemia, common in many women due to heavy menstruation or inadequate folic acid and iron in their body, results in low production of hemoglobin. Decreased hemoglobin means less oxygen to your organs including your hair follicles. Your hair tends to be weak and break easily resulting in hair fall.

Are you on a crash diet to lose weight? Maybe you have been successful in losing a few kilos. But it must have cost you your hair! These diets usually deprive your body of essential nutrients. Deficiency of some nutrients, vitamins or minerals can cause dull, limp and lifeless hair and can lead to excessive hair fall too.

11. Medications

Did you abruptly stop using hormonal pills? If yes, then your hair fall could be the side effect. Chemotherapy drugs, antidepressants, etc. can also have a similar effect.

Reference

1. Selvåg E. [Structural abnormalities of the hair shaft]. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 1996 Mar 20;116(8):965-7. Norwegian. PubMed PMID: 8650658.

Image source: Shutterstock (Image for representational purpose only)

Published: June 2, 2016 11:28 am | Updated:June 6, 2016 8:41 am

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