Photo: Stock.Xchng

Hair loss in women is a bit of a taboo beauty topic, but it’s a reality. Thinning hair is not only a problem for men, and it causes women a lot of embarrassment. It can be caused by stress, illness and a bad diet. There are a few things you can try to prevent hair loss, but there’s no definite cure, unfortunately. Before you opt for wearing a wig, take a look at this post.

The top causes hair loss in women

Understanding your hair loss may well help you treat it. The top causes of thinning hair in women are: low iron levels, birth control pills, stress, eating disorders, HRT, certain medications, child birth, thyroid problems, or wearing hair tightly braided. That is quite a list, and while you can’t stop taking chronic medication, you can work on fixing some of the causes.

Diet

Photo: Stock.Xchng

Anaemic women, and women with heavy periods, are more likely to suffer from low iron levels. Vegetarians are also sometimes lacking in iron. It makes good sense to include iron-rich foods in your diet, like black pudding, liver, fish paste, and oats. Taking a good multivitamin supplement is a good idea too, as your diet may not provide you with all the iron you need. A B-vitamin supplement may also help your hair grow.

Eating disorders

Sufferers from anorexia and bulimia, because they are not eating a balanced diet, are very prone to vitamin deficiencies that may cause thinning hair and hair loss. If you suffer from an eating disorder, your doctor will be able to help you choose the right supplements, and should provide support in helping you deal with your illness. If you think you may have an eating disorder, visit beat online for help.

Try stopping the birth control pill if you see no improvement after a few months, and consider using topical minoxidil, like Rogaine. It won’t help you regain lost hair, but it will prevent further thinning.

Tags: Eating disorders, hair, hair care, hair loss