How to Prevent Female Hair Loss

Hair loss is a common problem that affects many people assigned female at birth (AFAB). It can be caused by various factors, such as genetics, hormones, stress, medications, medical conditions, diet, and hair care habits. Hair loss can affect your self-esteem and confidence, but there are some ways to prevent it or slow it down. Here are some tips to help you keep your hair healthy and strong.

Key Takeaway

The key takeaway is that hair loss in women is not inevitable, and there are many things you can do to prevent it or treat it. The best way to stop hair loss is to identify and address the underlying cause, which may require a consultation with a dermatologist or a doctor. Some common causes of hair loss in women are:

• Androgenetic alopecia: This is the most common type of hair loss in women, also known as female pattern hair loss (FPHL) or female pattern baldness. It is caused by a genetic sensitivity to a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which shrinks the hair follicles and makes them produce thinner and shorter hairs. This type of hair loss usually affects the top and sides of the scalp, and can start as early as puberty or as late as menopause. 1
• Telogen effluvium: This is a temporary type of hair loss that occurs when a large number of hair follicles enter the resting phase (telogen) and fall out. This can be triggered by stress, illness, surgery, childbirth, medication, or nutritional deficiency. This type of hair loss usually affects the whole scalp, and can last from a few weeks to a few months.
• Anagen effluvium: This is a rare type of hair loss that occurs when the growing phase (anagen) of the hair cycle is disrupted by a factor that damages the hair follicles. This can be caused by chemotherapy, radiation, infection, or autoimmune disease. This type of hair loss usually affects the whole scalp and body, and can be permanent or reversible depending on the cause and treatment.

Example

An example of a woman who experienced hair loss and how she dealt with it is:

• Jane, a 35-year-old woman, noticed that her hair was thinning and falling out more than usual. She was worried and embarrassed, and tried to hide her scalp with hats and scarves. She decided to see a dermatologist, who diagnosed her with androgenetic alopecia. The dermatologist explained that this was a hereditary condition, and that there were some treatments available to slow down the hair loss and stimulate new hair growth. The dermatologist prescribed Jane a topical medication called minoxidil, which she had to apply twice a day to her scalp. The dermatologist also advised Jane to take a multivitamin supplement, eat a balanced diet, and avoid harsh hair products and styling tools. Jane followed the dermatologist’s recommendations, and after six months, she noticed that her hair loss had decreased and that some new hairs had grown. She felt more confident and happy with her appearance.

Actionable Step

An actionable step that you can take to prevent hair loss or improve your hair health is:

• Follow a Mediterranean diet: A 2018 study revealed that a diet containing raw vegetables and fresh herbs, like the Mediterranean diet, may reduce the risk of androgenetic alopecia or slow its onset. Best results were observed when participants consumed high amounts of raw vegetables and fresh herbs — like parsley, basil, and salad greens — more than 3 days a week.

Quiz

A quiz that you can use to test your knowledge or reinforce your learning is:

• What is the most common type of hair loss in women?
  • A) Telogen effluvium
  • B) Anagen effluvium
  • C) Androgenetic alopecia
  • D) Alopecia areata
  • Answer: C) Androgenetic alopecia
• What is the hormone that causes hair follicles to shrink and produce thinner hairs in androgenetic alopecia?
  • A) Estrogen
  • B) Testosterone
  • C) Dihydrotestosterone
  • D) Cortisol
  • Answer: C) Dihydrotestosterone
• What is the name of the topical medication that can slow down hair loss and stimulate new hair growth in androgenetic alopecia?
  • A) Finasteride
  • B) Minoxidil
  • C) Spironolactone
  • D) Ketoconazole
  • Answer: B) Minoxidil
• What is the name of the diet that may reduce the risk of androgenetic alopecia or slow its onset?
  • A) Paleo diet
  • B) Keto diet
  • C) Mediterranean diet
  • D) Vegan diet
  • Answer: C) Mediterranean diet