The thinning and thinning of hair worries the female half of humanity no less than the male.
The causes of this condition of the hair can vary from the simplest, which you can deal with yourself, to serious and deep, which is pointless to solve without the help of a specialist. We tell that it can be.
Physical stress
Any injury or condition of the body – after a car accident or a long illness (including the flu) – can lead to short-term hair loss. Hair has a programmed cycle of several phases – growth, rest, and loss. Physical impact on the body and the subsequent recovery period can literally shock the hair – to bring down the regular cycle (about the same as it happens with menstruation) and increase the phase of hair loss. Usually, increased rates of hair loss become noticeable 3-6 months after injury.
Pregnancy
It is one of the examples of physical stress, albeit natural. Hair loss, which is caused by hormonal changes, usually catches up with women after childbirth, not during the “interesting state” (and is often still supported by a strict “breastfeeding mother’s diet”). Doctors advise not to tear the remnants of hair on this occasion – when the hormones return to normal, and the body recovers after the baby is born, the hair follicles will resume their normal life cycle.
Too much vitamin A.
Its overdose – in vitamins and/or supplements – can cause hair loss. The daily norm of vitamin A is 2300-3000 IU for adults over 19 years, while dietary supplements may contain from 2000 to 10,000 IU. Everything is easy here: as soon as you reduce the excess of vitamin A in your daily diet, hair growth stabilizes.
Too little vitamin B
Vitamin B deficiency can also cause thinning and thinning hair. The problem is solved by adjusting the menu. First of all, analyze the diet for red meat, sea fish, vegetables, and citrus fruits, as well as supplements in the form of “good” fats (avocados, nuts). If all is well with the menu, you can connect vitamin B supplements, after which the situation with the hair should improve.
Lack of protein
If you go on a not very balanced diet with low protein, hair can slow down growth: the body will receive protein by inhibiting the work of the hair follicles (they also need protein). This usually happens 2-3 months after a change in diet. You need to fight against thinning hair at the table – eat more protein in the form of meat, fish, eggs.
Heredity
The genetic factor is decisive for male pattern baldness, but it is also important for explaining the causes of female pattern baldness. Trichologists advise a sober assessment of the condition of the hair of dad and grandpa (as well as grandparents) – if they started losing hair early, most likely, you may also be at risk.
Hormonal drugs
Oral contraceptives can regulate not only the birth rate but also hair growth (hormonal imbalance, which occurs with the onset of menopause, often leads to the same result). The mechanism is as follows: the male hormones of the hair follicles are activated, and as a result, the bulbs themselves seem to “miniaturize”, stopping reproduction, and hair loss begin. If you start to notice more streaks on the comb after switching to oral contraceptives or replacing some birth control pills with others, it’s time to visit a gynecologist to discuss alternative methods of contraception.
Emotional stress
It is less common than physical stress, causes thinning hair, but is a likely cause of hair loss. Severe shock – divorce, death of a loved one, caring for a seriously ill father – can be a trigger for baldness. More precisely, trichologists say that this is unlikely to be the main reason – most likely, the preconditions have already been, but the experience will definitely speed up the process.
Anemia
There is evidence that today at least 1 in 10 women between the ages of 20 and 49 suffer from iron deficiency anemia. And this is one of the most common causes of hair loss. First, in order to confirm anemia, you need to do a blood test, and secondly, add more iron to the diet. If you suspect anemia, remember that its characteristic features, in addition to hair loss, are also a headache that often worries, fatigue, pale and cold skin (especially hands and feet).
Hypothyroidism
Insufficient production of thyroid hormones can also inhibit normal hair growth. Consult a doctor to undergo the necessary tests. Synthetic analogs of thyroid hormones will help solve the problem until the production of their own returns to normal.
Sharp weight loss
This is the current cause of hair loss on the eve of summer and actively bringing yourself back to normal. Diet and abrupt weight loss are really one of the types of physical injury to the body, in response to which it begins to react unpredictably. There is only one recommendation – not to lose along with extra pounds and hair density, make sure that the daily menu is balanced in terms of protein, fat, carbohydrates, and trace elements with vitamins.
Chemotherapy
It is no secret that cancer drugs are a nuclear bomb for the body, which destroys not only cancer cells but also healthy cells of the hair follicles. When the course is completed, and they will no longer be exposed to chemical attack, the hair will grow back (perhaps the strands will also change their color and even structure – doctors have noted such cases). Researchers are currently working on cancer drugs that do not have a similar side effect, as well as studying ways to combat thinning hair during chemotherapy.
Polycystic ovary syndrome
This is another cause of hormonal hair loss. Excess androgens can lead not only to ovarian cysts, but also to overweight, menstrual changes, infertility, the risk of diabetes, and alopecia (and this is probably the most harmful consequence on the list). Indirect evidence of too high levels of male sex hormones in the female body can be a remarkable hair cover on other parts of the body. If you notice this problem along with hair loss on your head, you should see a doctor.
Medicine
Pharmacy drugs can also increase hair loss. These include antidepressants, blood thinners, and blood pressure medications (beta-blockers). Among the substances that can increase the rate of thinning hair, trichologists also include drugs with methotrexate (antitumor and skin diseases), lithium (for bipolar disorder), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (including common ibuprofen). If you are taking any of them and at the same time are actively losing hair, you need to talk to your doctor about a possible adjustment of treatment.
Complex stacking
The excessive effort you put into building a hairstyle on your head can also lead to thinning hair. Here, of course, we are not talking about single experiments, but about regular vigorous manipulations with the hair for several months (and even years) in a row. Potentially aggressive styling includes a tight ponytail, tight braids, a large amount of strong fixing styling, and curls, which are made by hot ironing. Here, first of all, we are talking about mechanical damage to the length of the hair, which is cut and even breaks to the roots. Preventive measures: strengthen the hair with care procedures (or at least a good mask and conditioner), while using the iron no more than once a week.
Trichotillomania
Continuous uncontrolled hair pulling very quickly and efficiently will make its amount on the headless. Trichotillomania is an officially recognized mental disorder that usually begins before the age of 17 and is 4 times more common in women than in men. From the outside, it can look like a game – as if you are thoughtfully winding a strand on your finger, and then just pull it out. Psychotropic drugs and quality classes with a psychotherapist will help to cope with trichotillomania. And, of course, here, as in the case of any addiction, you must first recognize its presence.
Age
Hair loss often becomes active in women when they reach the age of 50 or 60. The age reason is one that is difficult to deal with, and it is not always necessary to do so. The only fully justified measure is prevention. There are many ways to strengthen hair and keep it shiny and healthy at 50+.
