Hair loss is extremely common in women more so now than ever. Our current modern environment and lifestyle pressures are creating a perfect environment for hair loss in women of nearly all ages.
Certified trichologist and Advanced Trichology founder William Gaunitz, FWTS, identified four unsuspecting causes of hair loss in women, and how to treat each.
Between the ages of 18 and 30 years old
During this time women are most often dealing with nutritional hair loss related to lower ferritin and zinc levels because of menstruation and a lower intake of animal protein leading to a deficiency of one or both. This can easily reduce the overall volume of hair and reduce length.
During the same age bracket, polycystic ovarian syndrome otherwise known as PCOS is most common. This typically will produce a double whammy of nutritional loss due to a high volume of blood loss monthly as well as hormonal-related loss because of the elevation of testosterone and reduction in overall estradiol.
To treat nutritional hair loss, or nutritional alopecia, first get blood tests for ferritin, vitamin D3, and zinc. Optimal ranges for hair growth are different from typical medical ranges and typically fall in the middle of a blood test range. FoliGROWTH is a key supplement for nutritional alopecia. If there is low ferritin, DermaIron is a fit, and sublingual vitamin D3 can be taken if needed.
Postpartum hair loss
This is typically a trauma-based hair loss that could be described as telogen effluvium from the physical stress and trauma of giving birth.
Additionally postpartum, and oftentimes when a female is breast-feeding, it is difficult to keep up with the nutritional requirements for both the baby and the mother’s hair growth, therefore nutritional hair loss becomes an issue because the body is focused on providing nourishment to the child and in healing the mother post childbirth.
Perimenopausal
Usually occurring between the ages of 39 and 51, hormonal-related loss is often a culprit because the overall levels of estrogen are declining against the volume of testosterone and DHT, opening up a female to encounter female pattern hair loss otherwise known as androgenetic alopecia.
Menopause
After menopause, a female is producing nearly no estrogen which allows dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to completely influence the hair follicle without interruption. At this point, hair loss is most extreme on the top of the scalp and requires some type of hormonal buffer both internally and topically to correct the growth cycle.
For hair loss related to PCOS, peri, and post-menopause, Advanced Trichology’s DHT Blocker with immune support and topical NutraM specifically target and buffer the dihydrotestosterone influencing the hair follicle and causing hair loss for androgenetic alopecia in all of those cases.
Approaching hair loss in women from a holistic perspective helps fully analyze and address ALL of the reasons for hair loss. There are three primary reasons for hair loss which are hormonal, nutritional, and inflammatory. Most women are dealing with two of the three and, in some cases, all of them.
To learn more about hair loss in women, read this Martha Stewart Living piece featuring William Gaunitz, FWTS.
Learn more about Advanced Trichology here, and don’t forget to follow up on Instagram!
