Female hair loss is rare, but it does exist.  Lyra Pappin shares the facts on this condition.When I was a teenager, my hair was my biggest problem.  I hated it.  I wanted it to be longer, straighter, blonder and silkier.  Then, when I was 17, I realized I had a bigger problem.  While showering, I began to nervously notice larger and larger clumps of hair coming out in my hands when I washed it.  After months of miserably trying to ignore it, I had to acknowledge the fact that this was a problem that was not going away.  When you are a teenager, your looks feel like the most important thing in the world.  This story would be embarrassing for a young man, but for a young woman?  It seemed unheard of.  Doctors didn’t even seem to think it was real.  My doctor initially told me that it was nothing to worry about and my hair would grow back in a few months.  It did not, and in fact, the problem only got worse.

After years of various appointments with dermatologists, endocrinologists and even psychiatrists, some relief has been found in the form of Rogaine, a solution that slows hair loss and stimulates new follicle growth.  While this treatment has stabilized my hair, it has never been the same.  It is a problem that can upset me to the core on my worst days and irritate me on the best.  

Finding the Facts

The most frustrating aspect of this has always been the lack of general knowledge, support and understanding towards this problem.  While it is different than male pattern baldness, female pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia does exist.  Although approximately one in three women are susceptible to androgenetic alopecia, female hair loss is not an openly discussed issue in the media or even in our private lives.  A woman’s hair is directly tied to her self-image, sexuality and confidence about her attractiveness.  

It was years before I could talk about this issue, even with my closest friends.  It upset me so much that I didn’t want to have to confront it.  I wanted to ignore it.  Needless to say, this was not a good coping method at all, and after I became more open about this with my friends and family, I was able to deal with it better and put it into perspective.

What to Do

If you are a woman experiencing hair loss, you should immediately speak to your doctor.  The sooner you begin to address this issue, the more likely it is that treatment can help and you can prevent further loss.  Do not be discouraged if doctors don’t take you seriously.  It is annoying, but you will likely have to be persistent and insist upon seeing someone who specializes in female hair loss.

The main difference between male and female hair loss is that female hair loss is diffuse and characterized by overall thinning.  There are different kinds of hair loss and it can be caused by myriad problems ranging from hormonal imbalances, genetic inheritance, thyroid dysfunction, stress, eating disorders, pregnancy and birth control pills.  It is important to try and identify what is causing the hair loss before trying to deal with it yourself.

Avoiding Negative Side Effects

It can be daunting to admit this problem to yourself, let alone a doctor or even family members.  This is a very distressing problem for women, which is complicated by the knowledge that it is “merely” a cosmetic problem.  Our lives are not in jeopardy because our hair is thinning, so on top of being ashamed about feeling like we are losing an aspect of our sexuality and attractiveness, we feel guilty about caring so much.  Don’t let yourself feel this way.  If you are having trouble coming to terms with this issue, do not hesitate to find a counsellor or therapist who can help you adjust.  While it is something I have never been happy about, you do get to a point where you realize that you are dealing with it as best as you can, and obviously we all know there are more important things in life.

How to Cope

There are many ways to adjust to life with thinner hair, and it is not the end of the world.  Medication is helpful in slowing hair loss, but will not prevent it or reverse it all together.  It is also important to eat properly and take care of yourself as best as you can.  Other options to mask hair loss can include extensions and hairpieces, though extensions can also contribute to hair loss when they are sewn in and pull at the root, so you have to be careful.  Hair transplants are also successful, but can be very expensive.

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speak up

The main thing to realize is that this is not a problem that should be hidden or make you feel isolated and ashamed about.  Support may not be easy to come by, but it does exist, and there are millions of women affected by the same condition.  The more open we are able to be about this topic, the more research, awareness and treatments will emerge and help encourage positivity and acceptance.  Hair isn’t everything, but it is a part of our self-esteem, so don’t hesitate to look after yourself.  Just make sure to move on from worrying about what you don’t have to loving what you do have.

Sources:
iVillage
AOCD