Female hair loss: What you need to know to get your confidence back

It can be sad to look back at those photos of yourself with thick, luscious hair but truly, many women in their 60s experience hair loss, so you are definitely not alone.

If you’ve been seen a noticeable difference in the thickness of your hair and more clumps in the shower, you might be wondering how this happened and how you can prevent it.

Here’s what you need to know to gain your confidence again.

Patterned hair loss

Patterned hair loss is a progressive hair loss that occurs in a specific pattern, however the pattern in men is different to the pattern in women. Men see their hair thinning at their temples and eventually a bald spot on the top of the head. Women typically see thinning all over, and may only find out their have patterned hair loss when they put their hair up in a ponytail or notice their part has widened.

All men and women will be affected by patterned hair loss at some stage in their lives, though thankfully for women, the hair loss is mild and only occurs later in our life. But that isn’t to say it isn’t shocking when we realise it’s happening.

How is female hair loss treated?

You may have heard of topical medications to treat hair loss, and some doctors may recommend Rogaine to get thicker hair, though the results are varied. It’s recommended that you see a doctor if the hair loss is severe and sudden, as this may be the sign of something more serious.

Should I change how I take care of my hair?

If your hair is thinning, you don’t need to change what you’re doing, as more often than not, the balding cannot be prevented through regimen alone. Sometimes women think they should stop washing or colouring their hair but there is no need to stop as the integrity of the existing hair will be the same as years before.

Can hair loss be a sign of a more serious problem?

Hyperandrogenism, a medical condition characterised by excessive production of male hormones called androgens, can cause hair loss in affected women. It can cause metabolic syndrome, a combination of five medical conditions including obesity and high blood pressure that increase the risk of diabetes, heart attack, and stroke.

Your diet could be causing hair loss

Poor nutrition may be causing your hair loss, as a diet that is nutrient-deficient causes hair shafts to weaken. To ensure you don’t lose hair earlier or more rapidly than you should, make sure you intake enough of these:

• Vitamin A
• B Vitamins, including B6 and B12
• Vitamin C
• Biotin
• Copper
• Zinc
• Iron
• • Walnuts
  • Spinach
  • Carrots
  • Greek yoghurt
  • Eggs

Can my medications be at fault?

Blood thinners and medication for gout can make hair fall out. It also goes without saying that chemotherapy medications target cell production, making you lose hair.

Tell us, have you experienced hair loss? What have you tried to stop it or mask it?