Dealing with Alopecia
What Is Alopecia?
Alopecia is a medical condition resulting in excessive or abnormal hair loss affecting millions of women. Alopecia in women can be mainly attributed to three factors: aging, hormones, or genetics. There are various types of alopecia, some temporary, others permanent. However, there is one common thread linking all types of alopecia in women –the emotional effects associated with one’s physical appearance.
How Do I Deal with Alopecia?
First, it’s important that you understand the type of alopecia you have, and what may be the causes of it. Hormonal imbalances, diseases, certain medications, lifestyle choices – all of these things can cause a change in hair growth and shedding, and can help you determine which treatments and solutions are best for you. In some instances, you may simply be suffering from a short-term situation brought on by stress, pregnancy, or a reaction to certain medications. However, if you are among the millions of women who are affected on a long-term basis, you need to learn to accept that this is part of who you are – while taking comfort in knowing that there are positive ways in which to deal with your condition.
Common Types of Alopecia in Women
ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA (an-droh-jen-et-ick al-oh-pee-sha)
Otherwise known as female pattern thinning, this is the most common type of hair loss among women.
This form of alopecia often occurs after menopause, and is characterized by thinning of the hair, traditionally
starting at the crown of the head and moving forward.
So, what causes Androgenetic Alopecia? It may be something you’ve inherited. Many scientists once believed it was caused by a predominance in the male hormone testosterone, which all women have traces of in their normal genetics. It is now more likely that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – a derivative of testosterone – is the primary reason. If your genetic makeup proves resistance to DHT, this hormone will build up around your hair follicles, shrinking them and making it impossible for healthy hair to survive. Take a look at your family members’ heads. If they have thinning hair, there’s a good chance you will also experience it at some point. And don’t just look at your father’s side – alopecia is genetically linked to both parents’ genes.
You should know that Androgenetic Alopecia isn’t always genetic, so even if your loved ones are all blessed with a thriving head of hair, you may still be susceptible to the condition. It can also be triggered by factors associated with hormones, including the presence of ovarian cysts, high androgen-index birth control pills, pregnancy, and menopause (see more on menopause under “Causes”).
ALOPECIA AREATA (al-oh-pee-sha air-ee-ah-tah)
This type of alopecia occurs when your immune system attacks the hair follicles, stopping the normal hair growth cycle. Alopecia Areata can affect women in varying degrees. It usually starts with one or two small, round bald patches. Depending on your body’s reaction, it may progress to total scalp hair loss (alopecia totalis) or even complete body hair loss (alopecia universalis). The hair follicles remain alive, however, and will resume their normal production once the immune system gives the signal. In some cases, this may occur without any treatment. In other cases, it may take years for hair growth to resume.
TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM (tell-oh-jen eh-floo-vee-um)
Triggered by stress, Telogen Effluvium is not usually permanent. Emotional stress, such as a death in the family, or physical stress brought on by childbirth, surgery, or various illnesses, can cause this sudden loss of hair. While we all typically shed a small amount of hair every day under normal conditions, with Telogen Effluvium a larger-than-normal number of hair follicles become inactive, causing atypical hair fall. After a period of time, avoidance of stressful situations may revive the follicles and allow new hair to grow. Keep in mind, though, that this form of alopecia can often linger for months or even years, even if the stressors involved have been controlled.
ANAGEN EFFLUVIUM (ann-uh-jen eh-floo-vee-um)
Rapid and extensive hair loss caused by sudden, profound disturbances to hair follicles occurs in this type of alopecia. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are its two most common causes. Since treatments such as chemotherapy target your body’s quickly dividing cancer cells, your body’s other dividing cells, including hair follicles in the growing, or anagen, phase, are also drastically affected (see more on chemotherapy under “Causes”).
For useful resources in dealing with Alopecia, click on Related Links.