Here is why hair loss in men varies from hair loss in women
What are the causes of hair loss in men?
There are many reasons for hair loss in men. While some can cause temporary hair loss, others can lead to permanent baldness. These reasons can range from your genes to different types of illnesses.
The testosterone factor in hair loss
A key genetic difference that ends up affecting men more is DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which is a hormone that helps form “male sex characteristics” during the puberty phase. DHT is derived from the hormone testosterone, which is also present in the female body, although in relatively smaller amounts.
This DHT is found to be a major driving force behind MPB (Male Pattern Baldness), but it affects hair loss in women at a much later stage in their lives.
Hair loss due to autoimmune and other diseases
Immunity refers to the body’s ability to fight disease by working against the microorganisms that cause them. In rare cases, the infantrymen of immunity, aka antibodies, instead of acting on the pathogenic pathogens end up attacking the cells of our body. This results in what is called an autoimmune response and most often the body reacts by losing hair.
Apart from this, certain diseases like lupus, Crohn’s disease, HIV, syphilis, and certain thyroid issues are also known to cause hair loss. In some of these cases, the hair is restored as the diseases heal.
What Are the Causes of Hair Loss in Women?
Women also experience several hair problems, albeit differently from men. Well, most women lose their hair more due to hormonal imbalances, which occur when going through various natural life events such as pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. Women have more of the hormone estrogen which plays a major role in these phases.
When estrogen levels are high during puberty, it increases hair growth in women.
But for women, even a much less devastating lifestyle choice, like the force with which they pull and tie their hair, can lead to traction baldness, which is seen less in men. Some women can also experience hair loss if their perms are not done correctly. Hyper or hypothyroidism, which is more common in women, can also lead to hair loss.
Other choices like what we eat, how often we exercise, how active we are, etc. all have something to do with the overall health of our hair. And they are widely considered to be common to both men and women.
Trauma-induced hair loss
Traumatic, life-changing events can also create different responses for both sexes. An accident, sudden and unexpected loss or any shocking event can lead to temporary hair loss. Since men and women react to these situations differently, the resulting hair loss should also be different.
Although it is very difficult to measure, on a daily basis, women are more likely to lose more hair than men. The reason is mainly behavioral and cultural. Women tend to brush and style their hair more, which can cause them to lose more strands of hair per day. In standard cases of hair loss like baldness, men lose significantly more hair than women. However, there is no known way to prevent male pattern baldness. One theory is that stress can cause hair loss by increasing the production levels of sex hormones in the body. You can reduce stress by participating in relaxing activities, such as walking, listening to soothing music, and enjoying quieter times.
Disclaimer: This article was produced on behalf of Marico by the Times Internet Spotlight team.