One third of women will experience some form of hair loss in their lifetime, but its diagnosis remains complex and understudied, leaving many women psychologically distressed.
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*Heather’s hair has always been thin, but in the summer of 2020, she noticed that it too was falling out. Under the unrelenting glare of a bright bathroom mirror, she panicked and parted her hair, exposing her sparse scalp.
“Ever since then, it’s like I’m not the person I used to be. I know it’s just the hair, but it’s also all I think about: why did it happen and how can I fix it?” How can I feel confident in myself again?” the 32-year-old writer told Euronews Health.
According to Harvard Health, about one-third of women will experience some form of hair loss, known as alopecia, at some point in their lives. In postmenopausal women, this number increases to two-thirds.
Experts say female pattern baldness is less researched and funded than male pattern baldness.
“Until now, most hair loss research has focused on male pattern baldness due to its high prevalence and well-known symptoms,” said the advisor at Healthcare UK The Shard. says dermatologist Dr. Zainab Rafter.
“As a result, there has been a focus on understanding male-specific hormonal mechanisms and developing treatments primarily aimed at men. Hair loss in women involves a variety of hormonal and environmental factors. “It has received relatively little attention because it can present with a broader range of complex symptoms,” she added.
In recent years, the prevalence of this condition has been brought to light by women forming online spaces for discussion, including Facebook groups and the subreddit r/Femalehairloss, which has more than 56,000 members.
“Finding these communities has been extremely helpful to me,” Heather said.
“Just being able to speak openly with other women going through the same experience and really understand what it’s like was such a relief, especially since most hair loss support groups are dominated by men. Because it is.”
However, she noted that spending too much time in these groups can have a negative impact on mental health.
“There is still no clear solution to female hair loss, which can lead to endless rumination on the discussion, over-focusing on the problem and further feelings of hopelessness,” she says.
What causes hair loss in women?
According to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), most of us lose between 50 and 100 hairs every day without realizing it.
When hair loss becomes more severe, it is usually diagnosed as one of three main conditions, each with different causes and treatments.
The most common type of baldness is male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness, which is characterized by a widening of the hair in the middle parting and gradual thinning along the crown and temples.
“Hormone changes, such as menopause and thyroid disease, can also contribute significantly. There is often a genetic component,” Rafter said.
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Telogen effluvium is a temporary form of hair loss that is caused by stressful events such as illness, rapid weight loss, or pregnancy, when excessive shedding of hair follicles enters the resting or resting phase of the hair cycle.
Once the underlying stress factor is resolved, hair should regrow.
The third condition is alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease.
This is where “the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, causing sudden hair loss in small round spots on the scalp and other parts of the body,” Rafter said.
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psychological impact
Hair loss in women can be related to an underlying medical condition or treatment, but it is mostly harmless. Psychological strain tends to be the most difficult aspect.
“The emotional impact of hair loss is huge. My life is basically gone,” said Martha, a 20-year-old student who started losing her hair when she was just 15 years old.
“I get really anxious about it sometimes and it’s pretty numbing. It’s getting better little by little. My mom is supporting me now. I’m trying to talk to her more openly about it. , and things have gotten a little better,” she said.
Because this condition is rarely talked about or seen, many women who suffer from alopecia feel isolated and struggle to come to terms with their self-image, which can be very stressful. They tend to feel lonely. They say the situation is further exacerbated by social prejudice surrounding unfair beauty standards imposed on women.
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“Sometimes I feel bad as a woman. Society has this idea that having thick, beautiful hair is a symbol of femininity, and I don’t have that. I feel like I’ve failed as a woman.” said * Carla A, 31 years old. A 1-year-old office manager with male pattern baldness.
Social media hair loss influencers like Olivia McVeigh, who shares wig styling tutorials on TikTok to over 200,000 followers, are fighting this mindset and raising awareness and acceptance of the condition. I am working towards this.
“Hearing these stories reminds me that it is very possible to live a full and happy life even with hair loss,” Heather said.
“Thanks to the wig, I bought my first wig. I’m still nervous about wearing a wig in public, but as soon as I tried it on, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. For a moment, I felt comfortable in my own skin. I feel confident again.”
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How is hair loss in women treated?
Depending on the type of hair loss, the main treatment for androgenic alopecia in women is topical minoxidil, a blood pressure medication that has been found to stimulate hair growth as a side effect.
“Oral medications such as spironolactone, which reduce the effects of androgens, and low-dose oral minoxidil can also be prescribed off-label,” Rafter said.
However, these treatments are not guaranteed to work for everyone and can be expensive. Once you stop using it, your hair will grow back.
Professor Rafter said that if hair loss is caused by a hormonal imbalance such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), other hormonal treatments such as oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be recommended. He added that there is.
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Earlier this year, a pill called litrecitinib, sold as Ritoflu, was recommended on the NHS for the first time as a treatment for alopecia areata.
Known as a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, it works by “targeting inflammatory pathways involved in autoimmune hair loss.”
Rafter also noted that research is underway into stem cell and exosome therapies aimed at stimulating hair follicles at a cellular level, along with the development of anti-androgen creams.
*Names have been changed at the request of the interviewee.
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