Hair thinning and hair loss is something experienced both by men and women of all ages. While it is commonly associated with aging as it is usually noticed after the age of 40, hair thinning can occur at any age. There are many different reasons for hair loss, for men it usually relates to genes, while for women hormones are often the most important player in causing hair loss.
Understanding the leading causes of hair loss can often lead to proper caring of one’s scalp and health in ways that will prevent excessive hair loss in the future. So, let’s look at some of the most common reasons for hair loss in today’s society.
Here are 3 reasons for hair loss:
- Genes vs. Hormones
As hinted at above male and female patterns for baldness are different most of the time. This doesn’t mean that all cases of male baldness relate to one cause and all cases of female baldness relate to another, instead, it simply means that most frequently the patterns of hair loss for the two sexes are divided.
When baldness is associated with genes it is generally attributed to the condition known as “androgenetic alopecia”. AA is common in both women and men and it can appear from a young age. This condition normally first appears between the ages of 12 and 40.
When hair loss is caused by a hormonal imbalance it usually relates to a substance called dihydrotestosterone. This is a form of testosterone present in the body.
What is particularly interesting about hair loss though, is that while these maybe some of the most common causes of hair loss, studies have clearly shown that usually there is a mixture of different things that affect hair loss. According to a study published in the International Journal of Trichology, when they examined a group of female patients with progressive hair loss, they found that there were a few different conditions and elements present that affected hair loss. Hypothyroidism (low thyroid), hypertension (high blood pressure), and low vitamin D were all frequently found health problems among the group of women, thus showing that nutrition and hormonal imbalances also played an active role in their progressive hair loss and it was not just because of their genes.
This led to more studies on how diet, hormones, and even environmental factors can affect hair loss.
- Hormonal Imbalances
Hormonal imbalances are a big cause of hair loss both in men and women.
For women, hair loss is frequently experienced after menopause. This is because of the decrease in both progesterone and estrogen levels. Estrogen and its relationship to testosterone are also particularly important to note when it comes to hair loss.
When estrogen is low and testosterone is high, hair thinning and even hair loss can be experienced. This is not only common in menopause but also in post-menopause or perimenopause.
In both men and women, low levels of thyroid hormones can also lead to reduced levels of hair growth and even hair loss. For example, in menopausal women, the levels of progesterone are far lower, which could reduce their thyroid function and could potentially lead to a condition called hypothyroidism, which causes hair loss and limited hair regrowth.
In both women and men, testosterone levels will also play a big role in hair loss. To treat cases of low testosterone, there are testosterone hormone therapy supplements that can be given by physicians to patients.
Whether your hormones are too high or too low the result can often be the same, with extreme hair loss and thinning being felt by the individuals. This is why checking your hormone levels is a key aspect of finding the cause of hair loss.
- Health, Diet, and Nutrition
Your health is also extremely important in combating hair loss and promoting hair growth. Many different conditions including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, hypothyroidism, and autoimmune diseases can all trigger hair thinning and hair loss. Hair loss is often one of the first symptoms experienced.
Stress can also lead to hair thinning and hair loss, therefore keeping healthy and stress-free is imperative for reducing hair loss. When it comes to keeping healthy, a balanced diet filled with protein, carbs, macro, and micronutrients is always needed. Things like omega oils, zinc, iron, vitamin D, and vitamin E are all essential for hair growth.
Protein malnutrition and iron deficiency also cause hair thinning and hair loss, which is why you must ensure proper quantities of both of these are eaten regularly.
All vitamin and nutrient deficiencies can have negative effects on your health and thus, on your hair loss. In order to avoid those, the best thing you can do is try to maintain a balanced nutrient-dense diet and frequently do blood tests to check for any deficiencies.
Conclusion:
When it comes to hair loss many different elements need to be taken into account. While genetics is one of the most frequent reasons for hair loss, hormonal imbalances and dietary deficiencies can also lead to hair loss and should thus be taken into account when looking at the causes of hair loss.
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