Saturday, May 4, 2024

Hair Loss Treatments for Women: Medications, Shampoos, and More

losing hair women

Surgical procedures to treat baldness are not usually covered by insurance. Hair loss is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy. Alopecia areata affects up to 6.8 million people in the U.S. If you have a deficiency, your doctor may suggest multivitamins or supplements like iron and biotin. Don't take any supplement before checking with your doctor. They may interact with other medications or supplements you take.

What are the signs of hair loss in women?

losing hair women

That’s because factors like genetics, your nutrition, stress and anxiety, and changes in your hormones, metabolism, or medications can all contribute to thinning hair. And the cause of your hair loss can help you determine the right ingredients for you—and, with that, the best hair growth serum. Therefore, “the best guidance is to ask questions and rely on trusted sources for scientific evidence and advice that is tailored to your individual need,” she instructs.

Patchy hair loss (alopecia areata)

Those who began the trial with more pronounced hair loss saw the most benefit from the medication. Women may experience hair loss during menopause due to reduced production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Menopause usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55. Stress causes a large number of hairs in the active hair growth (anagen) phase to abruptly enter the resting (telogen) phase. When the hairs reenter the growth phase, the hairs that had been suspended in the resting phase are suddenly released.

Medical Professionals

losing hair women

If your hair is falling out more than normal, it's important to determine the cause; in some cases, you may need a blood test or other tests. Most of the time, no treatment is necessary, and your hair will return to its normal growth cycle. Since hormones operate best when they are in a delicate balance, the androgens, as male hormones are called, do not need to be raised to trigger a problem. Their counterpart female hormones, when lowered, give an edge to these androgens, such as DHT.

Hair-Loss Products and Devices

And no matter the underlying cause, “corticosteroids may be recommended to alleviate inflammation in more severe cases,” Dr. Mitchell says. Underlying conditions, like anemia (iron deficiency) and hypothyroidism (an underproduction of thyroid hormones) can also trigger the disorder. You should also talk with your doctor if you’re worried about persistent hair loss or a receding hairline or if you notice sudden patchy hair loss.

Supplements to consider

How Much Hair Loss Is Normal: Normal Hair Shedding vs Hair Loss - Women's Health

How Much Hair Loss Is Normal: Normal Hair Shedding vs Hair Loss.

Posted: Fri, 23 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

If you’d like to try acupuncture, a healthcare professional can offer a referral. You can also search the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine directory. Your doctor can order blood tests to check your iron and zinc levels and recommend the right dose of supplement for your deficiency level. You can only receive corticosteroid injections from a healthcare professional.

Below, we’ll explore common causes of hair loss in women and the treatment options available. Because it’s a vasodilator, caffeine may also help improve blood flow to your scalp, promoting hair growth. The caffeine also boosted hair root width and prolonged the growth phase of hair. It had a growth-promoting effect when tested on female hair follicles as well.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications generally consist of topical creams, gels, solutions, or foams that you apply directly to the scalp. The most common products contain an ingredient called minoxidil. This type of hair loss typically resolves on its own once the underlying cause is addressed. A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating the skin, hair, and nails.

Medications

Topical minoxidil is one of the best hair loss treatments for women, particularly those who have female pattern hair loss. It’s not yet clear how the magic happens, but researchers theorize that minoxidil reverses hair follicle shrinkage and lengthens the growth phase. This likely encourages hair to grow back fuller and speeds up the rate at which lost strands are replaced. It’s available over-the-counter—generically and under the brand name Rogaine—in both 2% and 5% formulations. Research from 2015 suggests the regular use of LLLT may help stop hair loss and promote hair regrowth.

It can be purchased over the counter, and it’s found in various strengths — typically 2% to 5%, Agbai says. Topical minoxidil “is applied directly to the scalp and works by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles, promoting hair growth and thickening existing hair,” she says. Oral minoxidil promotes hair regrowth by enhancing blood flow to the scalp, and it can be prescribed “either as a standalone therapy or in combination with other treatments,” she notes. You have several different treatment options to address hair loss caused by female pattern baldness and other types of alopecia. A doctor or dermatologist can help you identify the best approach for your needs.

Spironolactone is another blood pressure drug that’s been shown to have anti-androgen effects (which is why it’s commonly prescribed as an off-label treatment for hormonal acne). It prevents androgen receptors from activating, which reduces the influence these hormones can have on your hair follicles. But if your follicles become damaged, the hair loss may be permanent.

Recent studies have linked the prolonged use of 5mg finasteride and 0.5mg dutasteride to alarming health complications in men, including  hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. There is also evidence to suggest that sexual dysfunction is another adverse effect of men taking these medications, according to a 2019 study. Additionally, due to the risk of causing birth defects, people who can get pregnant should not take finasteride or dutasteride, Agbai emphasizes.

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