Conditions That Can Cause Baldness in Women

Baldness is a common problem in both men and women, but because it is thought of primarily as a male trait, there is a certain stigma attached to female baldness. A balding man is an unremarkable sight, but a balding woman may receive double-takes and other unwanted attention, causing her to feel self-conscious and seek human hair wigs Chicago or other replacement methods.

Many different factors can lead to hair thinning and loss in women. It may be genetic or related to age. The techniques women use to style their hair can sometimes contribute to excessive hair loss. However, female baldness can also be a sign of certain diseases or medical conditions.

Skin Conditions

The health of one’s hair is often directly related to the health of one’s skin, meaning that if there’s an issue with the latter, there is likely to be an issue with the former as well. Dermatological conditions that can cause or contribute to hair loss include psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis.

Gynecological Conditions

Though the research is not conclusive, there seems to be a connection between hormones and hair loss. Therefore, it stands to reason that conditions that upset the balance of hormones in your body could also cause balding. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a disorder of unknown origin in which, among other symptoms, your ovaries may produce too many androgens, or male sex hormones. Women with PCOS may experience male-pattern baldness or excess facial hair as a result. Hair loss can also occur during pregnancy.

Other Conditions

Disorders of the thyroid, which regulates your metabolism; anemia, which is a lack of iron in the blood; or autoimmune diseases, which cause disease-fighting cells in your body to start attacking healthy tissue, can all cause hair loss. In fact, there is a specific autoimmune disease, called alopecia areata, that specifically targets hair follicles.

If you experience sudden or excessive hair loss, you should discuss it with your doctor. He or she can then begin testing to see if it is a symptom of an underlying medical condition.