For most women, a thick, full head of healthy hair is associated with youth and beauty. While commonly considered an issue men face, many women also deal with hair loss, and it can be psychologically devastating and severely impact their quality of life.
While it receives much less attention than male pattern hair loss, hair loss is a significant issue for many women. Often, one of the root causes of hair loss in women is a hormonal imbalance.
Female Hair Loss and Hormonal Changes Due to Age
It's normal for women to experience monthly hormone fluctuations during their menstrual cycle and more dramatic fluctuations during their 30s or 40s as perimenopause begins. As a woman continues to age, they enter menopause. During menopause, ovulation ends, and the production of estrogen drops drastically.
The continuous fluctuation in hormone levels that women experience throughout their lives creates plenty of opportunities for hormones to become unbalanced. Often, one of the first signs of a hormone imbalance is thinning hair loss. Fortunately, hormone replacement therapies are available that regulate your hormone levels and help keep you looking and feeling like yourself.
Female Hair Loss and Testosterone
While the exact relationship between testosterone and hair growth is still not completely understood, research shows that testosterone plays a vital role in stimulating hair growth. And while it may be surprising, female hair loss can result from a lack or excess of some hormones, including testosterone.
Not much was known about female hair loss until the last few decades. For years, researchers thought that testosterone, which women have in trace amounts under normal conditions, was the primary cause of hair loss. However, scientists now believe that while testosterone is at the root of the balding process, the main culprit is dihydrotestosterone, or DHT.
Research suggests that DHT, a derivative of the male hormone testosterone, is the enemy of the hair follicles on your scalp. DHT attacks your hair follicles and causes them to shrink. The resulting damage to the hair follicles makes it impossible for healthy hair to grow and survive.
Testosterone is converted to DHT when it combines with an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. The conversion of testosterone to DHT occurs in both men and women, and when testosterone levels rise, DHT can become a bigger problem.
While women typically have just a tiny fraction of the testosterone found in men, even lower levels can cause DHT-triggered hair loss. While scientists once believed that the amount of circulating testosterone was the cause of hair loss, current research suggests that the problem is the level of DHT binding to receptors in the hair follicles.
Does Testosterone Cause Hair Loss in Women?
While high testosterone levels can cause an increase in DHT, the derivative can lead to hair loss even if hormone levels are not elevated and are in the normal range. In some cases, fluctuations in other hormone levels can create an imbalance that enables the DHT in your body to attack and damage your hair follicles.
Solutions For Hormone Related Hair Loss
Fortunately, solutions are available. Early detection and treatment are one of the keys to effectively solving any hair loss condition. While hair will often regrow once the hormonal imbalance is corrected, it's vital to ensure the health of your scalp to give your hair the best opportunity to grow.
At New Look Institute, we focus on helping you create an optimal environment for hair growth. We offer clients Capilia Head First products, the most advanced trichological solutions available. Head First trichological treatments are formulated from all-natural ingredients and designed to help you maintain a healthy scalp and hair follicles.
If you are experiencing more advanced hair loss, we offer custom-crafted hair restoration systems, wigs, toppers, and extensions. These will seamlessly integrate with your natural hair to restore your full head of hair and your confidence.
At New Look Institute, we customize our solutions to meet the unique needs of every client. Our compassionate hair experts will work with you to create a custom solution that meets your lifestyle, budget, and hair needs. Contact us today to schedule your FREE initial consultation and learn more about keeping your scalp and hair follicles healthy to stop hair loss.
