What Causes Female Hair Loss?
Most male hair loss is usually attributable to genetics and more specifically, to the conversion of the male hormone testosterone to DHT. DHT causes hair follicles to shrink and gradually disappear. Drugs that prevent hair loss, such as Propecia (finasteride), work by blocking the formation of DHT. Because women have more estradiol and estrone than testosterone, female hair loss is rarely caused by DHT nor is it ameliorated by drugs that block its formation.
So, what does cause hair loss in women? Very often, an underlying medical condition is to blame. Some health issues that can cause diffuse hair loss include:
- Obstetric and gynecologic conditions such as recent childbirth, menopause, or ovarian tumors
- Anemia (iron deficiency)
- Thyroid disease
- Connective tissue diseases such as Lupus
- Nutritional abnormalities caused by crash diets, bulimia, protein/calorie deficiency, essential fatty acid or zinc deficiency, malabsorbtion, or hypervitaminosis A
- Stress or emotional problems
- Surgical procedures, general anesthesia
Drugs can also cause hair loss. Some of the most common culprits are:
- Blood thinners (anti-coagulants), such as warfarin and heparin
- Seizure medication, most commonly dilantin
- Medication for gout, colchicines and alopurinol (Xyloprim)
- Blood pressure medication, particularly the b-blockers (such as Inderal) or diuretics
- Anti-inflammatory drugs such as prednisone
- Medications that lower cholesterol and other lipids
- Mood altering drugs – lithium, tri-cyclics, Elavil, Prozac
- Chemotherapy
- Thyroid medications
- Oral contraceptive agents, particularly those high in progestins
- Misc. – diet pills, high doses of Vitamin A, street drugs (cocaine)
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