Causes of Female Hair Loss

Although baldness is usually thought of as a men’s issue, more than 50% of women will experience significant hair loss or thinning at some point in their life. For women, hair loss can be an especially great source of embarrassment and concern that undermines self-confidence.

Fortunately, there are a wide variety of safe and effective treatments that can help stop hair loss and/or regrow full, healthy hair in women. But the first step involved in choosing a hair restoration treatment is identifying the woman’s underlying causes of hair loss.

Finding the cause of female hair loss is a complicated problem, because there are more than 50 different factors that can affect thinning hair. Basically, these factors can be broken down into one of four categories: hereditary, medical, pharmaceutical or environmental factors.

Through expert medical examination by Dr. Ruthie Harper in our Austin, TX office, we can typically identify the cause of a patient’s hair loss – so that we can offer the most successful hair regrowth treatments customized for them. the great news is that, in most cases, once the underlying cause of hair loss is correctly identified and properly treated, a woman’s hair will hair will grow back.

Hereditary Causes of Female Hair Loss

Female Pattern Hair Loss

Androgenetic Alopecia is a hereditary condition that affects about 30 million American women. Although it can occur at any time, it is most common in a woman’s late 50s or 60s. Normally when a hair is shed it will be replaced by a hair of equal size. But in Female Pattern Baldness the new hair grows back finer and thinner, and eventually the follicle may stop making hair altogether.

Autoimmune Female Hair Loss

Alopecia Areata is another type of female hair loss thought to be hereditary. In this upsetting condition, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy hair follicles – causing the hair to fall out in patches. Fortunately, this type of female hair loss is typically not permanent – and the missing patches usually grow back in six months to a year.

Hormonal Causes of Female Hair Loss

Thyroid Disease and Female Hair Loss

Healthy thyroid hormone levels effect almost every function of the body – including healthy hair growth. As one of the “Top 10 Thyroid Doctors in Texas,” Dr. Ruthie Harper will perform complete testing for the optimal thyroid functions that are necessary for healthy hair.

PCOS and Female Hair Loss

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – or PCOS – is another condition that causes a woman’s body to make excess levels of male hormones. These “androgens” can cause unwanted hair to grow on the face and body, while causing hair on the scalp to become thinner.

Pregnancy and Hair Loss

The hormonal changes of pregnancy can keep resting hairs from falling out as they normally would, and then suddenly fall out at an alarming rate after childbirth. Called Telogen Effluvium, this type of female hair loss may take up to two years to return to normal. But with hair restoration treatment in our Austin, TX office, hair can grow back much faster.

Menopause and Female Hair Loss

The hormonal changes that occur due to menopause are also often the cause of female hair loss. Changes in estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels can result in the loss of healthy hairs, as well as slow down the rate of new hair growth.

Other Medical Causes of Female Hair Loss

Anemia and Female Hair Loss

Many women experiencing thinning hair or hair loss have an iron deficiency. For these women, iron supplementation typically stops hair loss and hair regrows normally. But taking iron supplements when not needed can lead to a dangerous iron overload that can damage the liver and other organs.So blood work should be done in our Austin, TX office before starting iron supplements.

Fungal Infections and Female Hair Loss

Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection that can trigger hair loss that occurs in itchy, round patches. Anti-fungal medication can treat ringworm and arrest this type of hair loss.

Lifestyle, Environmental and Female Hair Loss

Medications Can Cause Female Hair Loss

Hair loss can be a side effect of birth control pills, as well as other medications including blood thinners, and certain high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, and depression medications. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy to treat cancer can also damage hair follicles, triggering dramatic hair loss.

Dieting Can Cause Female Hair Loss

Many women notice hair loss 3 to 6 months after losing more than 15 pounds or more. This is typically the result of consuming insufficient amounts of the foods, vitamins and minerals that are critical for hair health.

Hair Styling and Female Hair Loss

Traction Alopecia refers to hair loss caused by damage to the follicles from extensions, cornrows, tight ponytails, tight rollers, etc. Frequent or harsh hair dyes, chemical treatments, blow drying, or straightening can also result in damage, breakage and hair loss.

Stress and Female Hair Loss

Additionally, extreme physical or emotional stress can cause the condition called Telogen Effluvium, in which hair follicles stop growing, lie dormant and fall out within two to three months. Anything that causes extreme physical or mental stress to the body including illness, surgery, an accident – as well as a loss or psychological trauma – can trigger hair loss in women. Hair growth is typically restored within 6 to 9 months, or faster with proper treatment.

Find Out Why Your Hair is Falling Out – Austin, TX

Don’t just “guess” why your hair falling out! With a thorough examination and blood work in our Austin, TX office, Dr. Ruthie Harper can identify the underlying cause of your thinning hair, so that the right hair restoration treatments can be recommended.

Ruthie Harper MD has been helping women in the Austin, TX area resolve their hair loss problems since 2000. She takes a thorough and scientific diagnostic approach to finding the cause of your female hair loss, so she can prescribe the most effective treatment(s) to restore a healthy, beautiful head of hair for you.

At Ruthie Harper, MD in Austin, TX we are experienced in addressing the many causes of female hair loss. We offer the latest treatments and technologies to create a customized hair loss and regrowth program specifically for you that will restore full, thick hair.

Female Hair Loss Consultation – Austin, TX: (512)343-9355

Best Women’s Hair Loss Treatments

For a woman, hair loss can be a source of great embarrassment that can undermine her self-esteem and self-confidence. But, unfortunately, more than 50% of women will experience significant hair loss or thinning at some point in their life.

The good news is that we offer a wide variety of safe and effective treatments in our Austin, TX office that can help stop hair loss and/or regrow full, healthy hair in women. Of course, the first step involved in choosing a women’s hair restoration treatment is identifying the underlying causes of hair loss, through thorough examination and diagnosis.

Once Austin, TX women’s hair loss expert Dr. Ruthie Harper diagnoses the cause of your hair loss, a customized hair restoration program will be put in place that is personalized just for you – with one or several of the following treatments.

Non-Invasive Women’s Hair Loss Treatments

For many years, expensive, tedious and painful hair transplant surgery was the only way to restore thinning hair. But innovative new technologies can now regrow women’s hair naturally and effectively, without painful and expensive surgery.

Low Level Laser (LLL) Women’s Hair Loss Treatments

State-of-the-art devices that emit low-energy laser light have been shown in clinical studies to stop hair loss, as well as stimulate hair regrowth in both men and women. These FDA approved laser devices offer the best results when treatments are scheduled regularly over a 2 to 4 month period.

This hair loss treatment works by emitting red light in a specific spectrum (630-670 NM) that stimulates the body’s natural production of “ATP” (Adenosine Triphosphate). ATP is a molecule that activates the “anagen” or growth phase of the hair follicle. The Low Level Laser Light also decreases inflammation and increases blood supply in the scalp area – further facilitating the regrowth of healthy hair.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Women’s Hair Loss Treatment

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) has been used in sports medicine and orthopedics for over a decade to regenerate joints. Now this same, 100% natural cellular regeneration technology is available at Ruthie Harper, MD in Austin, TX to regrow hair.

During PRP hair loss treatment, after a routine blood draw, plasma containing high concentrations of natural growth and healing factors is separated from the patient’s own blood. This “Platelet Rich Plasma” is then injected into the scalp where it regenerates the hair follicles on a cellular level. the growth factors in the PRP “wake up” dormant hair follicles to start producing thicker, stronger, healthier hair shafts. Additionally, PRP has been shown to stimulate stem cells to regenerate hair.

The PRP may be injected into targeted areas of hair loss via syringe, or applied over a greater area using microneedling. During microneedling a small handheld device is used to create thousands of precise, microscopic channels in the scalp, through which the PRP can be absorbed.

Additional growth factors may be added to this process, to increase the effectiveness of this treatment. For example, “A-Cell” – a cellular regenerator that activates and recruits stem cells for hair regrowth – can be used with or without PRP.

Topical Treatments for Women’s Hair Loss

Minoxidil for Women’s Hair Loss

Minoxidil (brand name Rogaine) has been approved by the FDA to treat female pattern hair loss. However, Minoxidil must be used forever, since discontinuation will lead to the loss of the hair that was gained during treatment. Additionally, Minoxidil cannot be used during pregnancy or by patients with certain underlying medical conditions including vascular or coronary artery disease, hypertension, and psoriasis, eczema, cellulite, dermatitis, and other skin conditions.

Finasteride for Women’s Hair Loss

Finasteride (brand name Propecia or Proscar ) is a topical medication that blocks DHT – the hormone that causes hair follicles to produce thinner, weaker hair. At our Austin, TX office, Dr. Harper uses a specially compounded formula of Finasteride called FinPlus that contains added ingredients that boost the effectiveness of this medication, including: biotin, saw palmetto, horsetail, nettle astragalus, poria cocos, and rehmannia.

Like Minoxidil, Finasteride must be used forever since discontinuation can lead to loss of hair that was gained during therapy. Though results can be dramatic, it may take as long as 6 months to notice benefits with FinPlus. Known side effects of finasteride are primarily in men, and usually can be avoided in women when a lower 1 mg dose is used to treat women’s hair loss.

Medications for Women’s Hair Loss

Spironolactone / Aldactone for Women’s Hair Loss

DHT is the hormone that causes hair follicles to produce thinner, weaker hair follicles. This medication blocks the hormone (androgen) production that can increase DHT levels. This medication is commonly used for women with hair loss due to Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

Progesterone for Women’s Hair Loss

When orally administered, the hormone Progesterone also blocks production of the androgen DHT that that causes hair follicles to produce thinner, weaker hair follicles.

Supplements for Women’s Hair Loss

Depending upon the underlying cause of women’s hair loss, certain dietary supplements may help stop hair loss, as well as support hair regrowth. Since these are very specific to certain types of dietary deficiencies, patients should always undergo blood-work at our Austin, TX office before starting on a supplement regimen. Taking too much of a wrong or unneeded supplement can be dangerous!

Certain women’s hair loss supplements that may be prescribed include:

Iron Supplements – can be used to treat hair loss due to iron deficiency / anemia. Eating foods that are high in iron, including lean red meat, dried fruit, broccoli, egg yolks, lentils, spinach, and chicken can also be beneficial.

Vitamin C – can help the body absorb iron in patients with hair loss due to iron deficiency.

Vitamin D with Vitamin K – these nutrients are important for hair growth. And the Vitamin K helps keep calcium in the bones when taking Vitamin D. But, remember, high levels of Vitamin D can be toxic. Vitamin D can be also be found in foods such as salmon, mushrooms and whole grains.

Glutathione – this critical antioxidant stops oxidative stress and calms autoimmune inflammation that can contribute to hair loss.

Biotin – necessary for the production and maintenance of healthy hair, Biotin also thickens hair fibers and decreases shedding. Biotin can also be found in foods such as egg yolks, liver, rice, and milk.

Zinc, Multivitamin with Vitamins A, E, B complex and Omega-3 and 6’s – these may also be prescribed, depending upon what the patient’s blood-work reveals. Zinc can also be found in foods such as lamb, turkey, pumpkin seeds and chocolate. And, B vitamins can be found in many foods, including grains, eggs, and avocados.

Other nutrients such as Melatonin, Gingko (antioxidant), Saw palmetto (fatty acid oils and sterols), l-Lysine, and l-arginine may also be recommended to support healthy hair regrowth and prevent hair loss in women.

Women’s Hair Loss Treatment – Austin, TX

Ruthie Harper MD has been helping women in the Austin, TX area reverse hair loss and regrow healthy hair since 2000. She takes a thorough diagnostic approach to finding the cause of a woman’s hair loss, so she can prescribe the most effective treatment(s) to restore a healthy, beautiful head of hair.

At Ruthie Harper MD in Austin, TX we offer the latest treatments and technologies to create a customized hair loss and regrowth program specifically for you, that will stop your hair loss and restore thick, full, healthy hair.

Why is My Hair Falling Out? Causes of Female Hair Loss