About Hair Loss

The growth process of hair can be interrupted in a variety of fashions. Read on to learn more about hair loss, including the growth process under normal circumstances, how hair is lost, and the different types of hair loss that can affect a woman.

Hair Loss	How Hair Grows The average head contains approximately 100,000 hairs at any given time. Hair is formed from keratin, a protein that also forms the nails and outer layer of skin. Above the surface, the part that is brushed and styled, each strand of hair is actually dead tissue secreted by hair follicles which exist below the scalp´s surface. This visible section is called the hair shaft. Hair remains on the head for a length of time between two and six years, during which time it is continually growing. This growing phase is known as the time of anagen. By contrast, there is also a resting phase known as telogen, about 3 months in duration, in which the hair stops growing, after which it generally falls out, creating hair loss.
Hair Loss Overview About Hair Loss How hair grows How hair is lost Hair loss symptoms Types of Hair Loss Causes of Hair Loss Hormonal Other causes Treatments for Hair Loss

It is normal to lose 50-100 hairs each day. These are constantly regenerated by the hair follicles. However due to various reasons, it is possible for a far greater hair loss to occur, particularly in women undergoing the transition of menopause.

Keep reading to learn more about how hair is lost as well as the different types of hair loss a menopausal woman may face.

How Hair is Lost

During menopause, if hair growth is normal, up to 15% of hairs on a woman´s head are in telogen, or no longer growing. At this time the hair has detached from the hair follicle, and is easily removed from the head. The hair follicle shrinks to rest for approximately three months before re-entering anagen and growing a new hair shaft, which as it becomes larger pushes the old hair shaft out, leading to a loss of the old hair.

When this process is thrown out of balance, which is typical during menopause, it will lead to a greater hair loss. Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms of hair loss in order to recognize if a problem may exist that requires treatment.

Symptoms of Hair Loss

It may be difficult for a woman to tell if she is losing hair at a normal rate or if her hair shedding is a more serious condition. The following symptoms are signs that a woman might be experiencing hair loss at a critical rate, and may want to seek treatment:

• Hair falls out in large clumps when washing it. • Large snarls of hair appear in brush or comb. • Small bald patches appear on the scalp. • Scalp is red, oily, and/or itchy. • Noticeable hair thinning on front, sides or top of head.

Continue reading below for a description of the different types of hair loss a woman may encounter.

Types of Hair Loss

Not all hair loss is the same. As it can be caused by a variety of factors, there are a corresponding number of ways in which it might manifest itself. When imagining hair loss, many people automatically think of male pattern baldness first, which is characterized by the receding hairline and bald patch on top of the head. In menopausal women this hair loss tends to not be as noticeable, with an overall thinning in most cases rather than bald spots.

How Female Hair Loss Differs From Male

Return to home page and learn more about the 34 Menopause Symptoms.