Going bald is not just a male thing. But as it pertains to women this topic is rarely discussed in today’s culture. In fact we seldom see a bald headed woman unless she is trying to make a statement be it political, fashion or otherwise. These women shave their heads and go bald by choice such as Sinead O’Connor. Unfortunately some have become bald due to chemotherapy or radiation used to treat cancer. Being bald has never been chic for most women but an embarrassment. It seems when a women looses her hair she is instantly the butt of tasteless jokes. So women who find themselves loosing hair will do almost anything to cover it up. This can mean wearing a wig, hairpiece even a hair implant.

Thinning hair is a common occurrence during menopause. Hair loss (noticeable hair loss called alopecia) is caused by a reduction in levels of estrogen. There are several options to dealing with menopausal hair loss.

1. One is HRT (hormone replacement therapy) which usually involves taking estrogen or progesterone. There have been concerns raised about a possible increase in breast and ovarian cancer with this kind of therapy. If you are concerned there are alternatives like plant based hormones such as soya.
2. Herbal remedies
3. Propecia (Finasteride) helps prevent hair loss and encourage growth
4. Minoxidil (Rogaine) promote growth and thickness by stimulating hair follicles. Minoxidil is the only drug approved by the FDA to treat female pattern baldness.

The use of Propecia is discouraged in pregnant women as it can cause birth defects.

As we age women like men often find their hair thinning, patchy hair loss and at times leaving bald spots. Some women eventually go completely bald. Female pattern baldness tends to occur with thinning of hair over the entire head but maintaining the crown.

Menopause is a major factor but just one of the many reasons for hair loss in women. Others include:

1. Under or overactive thyroid dry brittle hair can be a symptom of hypothyroidism
2. Medications
3. Stress
4. Genetics
5. Vitamin and iron deficiencies
6. Iron
7. Chemicals
8. Skin diseases
9. Lack of protein in the diet

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