Natural regular shedding of hair is natural as hair grows in cycles. Generally, humans shed between 50 and 100 single hairs per day. Hair shedding is part of a natural balance, some hairs fall out, new ones grow in. However, hair loss in women can be defined as when a woman experiences heavy loss of hair. When the balance is interrupted, as when hair falls out and less hair grows in hair loss happens. Hair loss is different from normal hair shedding. The medical term for hair loss is “alopecia.”

Light, fine, short hair is called vellus hair. Terminal, androgenic hair is thicker, darker and longer.

Many people think that hair loss only affects men. However, it is estimated that more than 50% of women will experience noticeable hair loss in their lifetimes. The good news is there are ways to support it through lifestyle, diet and supplementation. A nutritional therapy appointment will help to ascertain where the diet and supplement intake can be improved. We can also suggest testing options and provide recommendations based on your test results.

Common risk factors for hair loss in women include:

Women older than 40.

Women post-partum

Women who have had chemotherapy and those who have been affected by other medications.

Women who use harsh chemicals on their hair.

Menopausal women.

What is to blame for hair loss in women:

Hairstyle: Your style of hair can cause hair loss when your hair is arranged in ways that pull on your roots, like tight ponytails.

Vitamin deficiencies or insufficiencies

Dieting (rapid weight loss)/ Restrictive diets.

Extreme physical stress or shock to your body causes temporary hair loss/ Extreme emotional stress: mental illness, the death of a loved one, etc. There’s around a three-month delay between when a stressful event happens and when you might see hair loss, so you may not pinpoint the trigger right away.

An abnormal thyroid (hypothyroidism)

Medications and supplements: including some blood pressure medicines and gout medicines

Hormone changes can be caused by pregnancy, menopause or birth control pills.

Female Pattern Hair Loss:

This is characterised by thinning of hair along the top of the scalp.

Possible causes:

• Genetics
• Ageing: Hormone changes as you age can cause balding
• Menopause: This type of hair loss often gets worse when oestrogen drops during menopause

Other causes:

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune skin disease that causes patchy hair loss on your head and possibly other places on your body. The effects are not usually permanent.

Hair loss in menopause:

During and after menopause, hair might become finer (thinner) because hair follicles shrink. Hair grows more slowly and falls out more easily in these cases. During menopause, oestrogen and progesterone levels fall, meaning that the effects of the androgens, male hormones, are increased.

What are the signs of hair loss in women?

• Seeing more hair fall out daily either on your brush, on the floor, in showers, on your pillows, or in the sink
• Seeing noticeable patches of thinner or missing hair, including a part on the top of your head that gets wider
• Seeing scalp skin through hair
• Seeing hair breakages

A Summary of conditions that may lead to hair loss includes:

• hypothyroidism
• hyperthyroidism
• Hodgkin’s disease
• hypopituitarism
• Hashimoto disease
• systemic lupus erythematosus
• Addison’s disease
• celiac disease
• Lichen planus
• ringworm
• scleroderma
• trichorrhexis invaginate

Naturopathic Hair Loss Treatments:

Massage - Massaging the scalp, which can be used in conjunction with hair oils and masks, stimulates the scalp and may improve hair thickness[i].

Rosemary - Rosemary is a common essential oil that people use to promote hair growth and reduce hair loss[ii]. Mix a few drops of rosemary oil into a carrier oil, like argan oil or jojoba oil, and massage it into your hair and scalp before rinsing. You can do this a few times per week. Try: Rosemary - Organic (10ml) Jojoba Oil - Organic (100ml)

Biotin - Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, stimulates keratin production in hair and can increase the rate of follicle growth. Try Biotin.

Zinc - Zinc plays an important role in hair tissue growth and repair. It also helps keep the oil glands around the follicles working properly. Try Nano zinc (1 ltr)

Coconut oil - lauric acid in coconut oil can penetrate inside the hair shaft and reduce protein loss from hair.[iii]

Silica - Silica doesn't promote hair growth, but it does strengthen hair and prevent thinning. It does this by delivering essential nutrients to your hair follicles. Try Silica Complex

B Vitamins - B vitamins do help in hair growth by encouraging healthy cell rejuvenation through abundant red blood cells which naturally support your hair follicles.Try High Two B-Complex

Our Favourites for Healthy Hair:

• Hair Tonic (100ml)
• Scalp Purifying Serum with Spearmint & Meadowsweet (57ml)
• Hair Skin Nails Ultra (60 Caps)
• Beauty Complex Hair-Skin-Nails
• Thyroid Support Complex
• Organic Rose Otto Invigorating Conditioner 200ml
• Intensive Repair Conditioner (200ml)
• Scalp Exfoliator Scrub (142g)
• Conditioner (150ml)

Testing for hair loss in women

DUTCH Test: For finding hormonal patterns and links to female health concerns, the Complete Hormone Panel - DUTCH Test, is a comprehensive, accurate and non-invasive test. The majority of women are often not aware that they are suffering from a hormonal imbalance, presenting with symptoms such as abnormal menstruation (heavy/painful periods), PMS, headaches, decreased sex drive, bloating, mood swings, fatigue, anxiety & depression, breast tenderness, endometriosis, fibroids, and hormonal weight gain. The DUTCH test tests reproductive and adrenal hormones as well as melatonin and oxidative stress.

The DUTCH test stands for Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones and involves a collection of a small amount of urine on filtered paper four times a day. The DUTCH TEST measures hormone metabolites from the dried urine samples. The hormones measured in the test include:

• Cortisol

• Cortisone

• Oestradiol

• Oestrone

• Oestriol

• Progesterone

• Testosterone

• DHEA

• Melatonin

For more information about the DUTCH test click here. If you'd like to discuss your individual situation please contact us.