If you’re suffering from hair loss for any reason, it’s important to understand that you’re not alone! In fact, it affects around 50 million men in the US and around 30 million women. Yes, that’s right – women too! About half of women in their 50s will be dealing with some form of pattern hair loss.
Hair loss can happen in both men and women at any age. Many women who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) experience it as a symptom, and these women are of childbearing age. Hormonal imbalances, thyroid issues and stress are often responsible for hair loss in women and are extremely common conditions.
The most common cause is pattern baldness. Hair follicles shrink and new hair becomes finer, until there is no hair left at all. Genes and hormones are the causes for this type.
Other causes can be from medication, illness or stress. The good news here is that, unlike male or female pattern baldness, this baldness is often reversible.
Hair loss and testosterone
Many people assume that balding is a result of high testosterone levels. This is a common myth. Actually, it happens when hair follicles are sensitive to a hormone called DHT. So the amount of testosterone or DHT in the body doesn’t cause baldness. Rather, it’s due to the sensitivity of the hair follicles. And this sensitivity is determined mainly by your genes.
It also wouldn’t be logical to assume that high testosterone levels would cause baldness. Thinking about it logically, older men have lower levels of testosterone and are much more prone to baldness. Additionally, there are plenty of studies showing that balding and non-balding men have similar levels of testosterone.
The opposite is often true. Men and women with lower levels of testosterone can experience hair loss. Genetics is responsible for hair loss, but having low testosterone levels can certainly speed up the process.
How to treat
Hair loss can have a huge psychological effect on people, especially women. It can affect self-esteem, confidence and even relationships. When caused by genetics cannot be fixed, but it might be possible to treat when caused by other conditions. Many also turn to restoration treatment to correct it.
It’s important to know that the relationship between hair loss and testosterone is a complicated one. While they aren’t directly related, there is still a correlation. One of the most common symptoms of low testosterone is in fact hair loss. If it is accompanied by other symptoms characterized by low T such as low libido, fatigue, depression, weight gain, ED or muscle loss, then undergoing hormone therapy could also help with it.
It’s important to find the cause for your hair loss. If you suspect you might have low testosterone levels, you need to speak with a doctor who can determine if you do and to what extent. You might wish to consider testosterone treatment if low levels are impacting your life both physically and emotionally.
Other treatments include minoxidil (Rogaine), laser treatment, ketoconazole or laser treatments.
You might also wish to explore the natural route to combat it. Many have found that a scalp massage using essential oils can help promote hair growth.
Hair loss can happen due to genes, aging or hormonal imbalances. Your body is constantly changing, and it can be hard to embrace each change. This is especially true when it comes to symptoms like hair loss. There are many treatment options to pursue depending on your situation. It’s important to find the correct treatment so you can feel confident in yourself and how you look.