Baldness Causes

Baldness results from excessive hair loss, and is characterized by the absence of hair in an area of the scalp. The medical term for hair loss and baldness is alopecia. Baldness can result from various conditions, but most often it is associated with genetics and hormonal imbalance. Both, men and women, can experience hair thinning and baldness. However, baldness in women is rare as compared to men. Hair loss can be hereditary, but heredity is not the only reason for baldness, as factors other than heredity too, can play a significant role in causing excessive hair loss.

Baldness in Males

The main cause of baldness in men is a condition known as androgenic alopecia or 'male pattern baldness'. Hair thinning in men usually occur due to the effect of the hormone dihydrotestosterone or DHT. The hair follicles of some individuals are more vulnerable to baldness, and such hair follicles weaken and shrink easily due to the action of this hormone. In the human body, the hormone testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone by the action of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. Hair loss due to androgenic alopecia is hereditary.

Permanent hair loss and baldness can also occur in conditions like scarring alopecia. Alopecia areata is another condition which can cause temporary baldness. It is an autoimmune condition. Apart from these, factors like fungal infection of the scalp or tinea capitis, certain medications, especially chemotherapy drugs, radiation therapy, major surgery, some illnesses like scarlet fever and typhoid, and genetics can be responsible for causing male hair loss.

Baldness in Females

The causes of baldness in women can be a bit different from men. However, like men, women can also experience excessive hair loss due to the action of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This is referred to as female pattern baldness and it usually affects women after menopause. However, it usually does not lead to baldness or complete hair loss. Serious illnesses, chemotherapy drugs, radiation therapy and major surgery can also cause excessive hair loss and baldness. Many women, on the other hand, can experience significant hair loss after childbirth. The reason for this type of female hair loss or baldness is hormonal fluctuations. During pregnancy, the level of estrogen in the body rises, which promotes hair growth. But after delivery, the level of estrogen in the body reduces, which can trigger excessive hair loss. However, this is a temporary condition, as normal hair growth returns within a few months.

Diet and nutrition too, can have a significant impact on female hair loss. It has been observed that female baldness can be associated with eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia. Women are also likely to suffer from thyroid conditions like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, and both the conditions can cause hair loss. Like men, women too can suffer from conditions like alopecia areata and tinea capitis and experience baldness. Some other common factors for hair loss in women are, use of birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, traction alopecia, scarring alopecia, liver disease, kidney failure, viral and fungal infections, crash dieting and nutritional deficiency, especially deficiency of iron and biotin.

Many of these underlying causes of baldness and hair loss are reversible with appropriate treatment. In other words, hair loss prevention is possible by addressing the underlying causes. Nowadays, several medications are available for the treatment of baldness and alopecia including androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness treatment, and alopecia areata treatment. Surgery or hair transplant is also possible to reverse baldness. However, a proper baldness treatment plan can be designed only after ascertaining the underlying causes of hair loss. Therefore, men and women experiencing excessive hair loss and progressive baldness should get their condition evaluated with the help of a physician to slow down the loss of hair, or treat and prevent baldness.