Knowing the causes of female hair loss can help a woman cope with the effects .

Female hair loss is an emotionally distressing experience for most women. While the pattern of hair loss is different to that experienced by most men, i.e. a receding hairline and crown loss, it still involves a general thinning on the sides and top of the head or possibly patchy hair loss. While there are no miracle cures for hair loss, understanding what causes the hair loss can go a long way to coping with the experience.

Main causes for hair loss in women.

There are four main types of womens hair loss and they all have different causes and therefore require different treatments.

• Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause and is a genetic condition inherited from either the mother or the father. This condition is caused by an excess of DHT made from the hormones androgens which all men and women produce. Those with an excess of DHT causes the hair follicles to produce thinner hair until eventually it stops producing any hair. This condition results in general thinning hair.

• Alopecia areata is another major cause of female balding. For some unknown reason, the white blood cells begin to attack the hair follicles causing them to become very small and reduce hair production, possibly to the point that no visible hair growth takes place for months or even years. The hair follicles remain alive though, and  hair regrowth may take place. This condition results in patchy hair loss.

• Telogen effluvium is a sudden loss of hair and is usually temporary. What causes it is that a large number of the hair follicles become inactive, with the resulting hair loss. This condition is usually stress related. It can be emotional stress such as that caused by the death of a family member, or physical stress caused by illness, major surgery or childbirth. Sudden weight loss and many medicines can also cause rapid hair loss. Hair regrowth normally resumes after a month or two.

• Traumatic alopecia is hair loss caused by severe hair care practices. Braiding the hair too tight or wearing tight ponytails can cause the hair to fall out. Repeatedly tugging at the hair as a nervous reaction can also cause the hair loss. However, too much washing, brushing or combing of your hair, use of hair dyes and perms or wearing hats and wigs does not result in womens hair loss.

On a positive note, most types of hairloss in women are temporary While there is no wonder drug to cure it, with patience, many women can cope with it by experimenting with cosmetic products, hats and wigs until they find a style that suits them.