Hair loss in women can stem from various causes, leading to either temporary or permanent, gradual, or sudden hair thinning or pattern-baldness. While hair loss is more common as you get older, it can also occur earlier in life.

Hair loss is a common condition, yet it’s not always fully understood, it can be triggered by a number of different conditions, and it can be hard to treat. So, in this blog post, I’m discussing some of the most common causes of female pattern hair loss, and how best to treat it…

Menopausal and post-partum thinning

Hormones are responsible for regulating the majority of bodily functions, and our hair growth – and loss – is no exception. Menopause and post-pregnancy have the most notable impact, due to the drop in oestrogen levels. More than half of women over the age of 65 report hair loss, so it’s extremely common in menopause. What happens is that oestrogen levels drop, which disrupts the natural growth cycle of hair follicles. This leads to a process called follicular miniaturisation, in which the hair follicle shrinks over time. Hair follicles that were once producing healthy hairs start to generate thinner strands, with more fragile shafts. With this, shedding increases and the start of the new hair cycle is delayed.

Nutritional deficiencies

Your body has a way of ranking functions depending on their importance, which it uses to allocate nutrients and vitamins. Hair growth comes very low in these rankings, so if you have any vitamin and mineral deficiencies, your hair will be one of the first areas to physically show this. Biotin is crucial for helping the strength of stands. You can find this in wholegrain foods, as well as liver and yeast. Keeping other vitamins topped up is also key – Vitamin D, B12, and Iran all all crucial for hair growth. It’s important to eat a balanced diet, but with modern-day struggles, this can be challenging. Supplements that contain the above can be helpful alongside a healthy diet.

Stress

Stress can lead to hair loss through a complex interplay of physiological and psychological factors. When the body experiences significant stress, it can trigger an increase in the production of stress hormones like cortisol. Elevated cortisol levels can disrupt the natural hair growth cycle, pushing more hair follicles into the resting phase (telogen), where hair shedding occurs. This shift in the cycle can result in noticeable hair thinning or shedding a few months after the stressor. Chronic stress can exacerbate conditions like trichotillomania and alopecia areata, further impacting hair loss. Managing stress through various relaxation techniques, lifestyle modifications, and seeking professional support can help mitigate its adverse effects on hair.

Thyroid problems 

The thyroid gland helps to regulate the body’s metabolism by controlling the production of proteins and tissue use of oxygen. When this process is disrupted, it affects the development of hair at the root causing the hair to fall out. If hypothyroidism is left untreated, it may also result in anaemia, which over time can cause baldness.

The most effective treatment options

Trichotest

While the Trichotest isn’t a treatment as such, it is an excellent starting point to your treatment journey.

The Trichotest is an advanced blood test which provides a full explanation of your genetic characteristics and how they relate to your hair loss. This information provides your hair specialist with a deep understanding of the causes behind your hair loss and will enable them to provide a fully personalised treatment plan.

The beauty of the Trichotest is that it takes the trial and error out of hair restoration treatments. You can start with the most appropriate treatment approaches and ultimately, see the best results possible.

Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)

Our entire body operates through a delicate network of hormones, with each bodily function being driven by these chemical messengers. When these hormones become imbalanced, a range of issues can emerge, including mood swings, skin problems, and hair loss. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) aims to rectify this hormonal imbalance by supplementing the body with bioidentical hormones that closely resemble those naturally produced. BHRT effectively addresses menopausal changes by restoring balance in the endocrine system, therefore alleviating menopausal symptoms.

Typically, BHRT treatment commences with a blood test to assess hormone levels. Subsequently, hormone balance is restored by introducing bioidentical versions of hormones such as progesterone, testosterone, and oestrogen, bringing them to optimal levels for improved functionality. BHRT offers several advantages, including the resolution of hormone-related issues like weight gain, ageing skin, cognitive decline, and hair loss, ultimately enhancing overall well-being and self-confidence.

Calecim Professional Stem Cell Serum

By sourcing the stem cells from the cord lining of the red deer, Calecim Professional serum offers the highest concentration of stem cells that can be extracted safely and without harming any animals.

These cells contain a potent mixture of proteins, cytokines, and growth factors, to improve skin and scalp health, promote skin and hair rejuvenation and give life-changing results. Again, we can combine this treatment with microneedling to open micro-channels in the scalp for better, faster serum absorption, making it more effective overall.

If you’d like to learn more about the treatment options, click here to book a consultation or to enquire.