The loss of hair is usually stressful. People groom their self-image for years, knowing exactly how they can get the maximum effect. So the imminent loss of their crowning glory is a threat to their apparent youthfulness, their physical attractiveness and, most importantly, their self-confidence. It’s estimated about 80 million men experience male-pattern baldness. Roughly the same number of women also lose their hair. Every day in the bathroom is a trial as more hair falls during combing or brushing. There’s often a panic reaction. And it can be understood. People want to stop this unpleasant change in their appearance. As hairstyle is something very important in our image, and nobody wishes to change one’s habitual look this way. So people rush to a clinic or try one of the commercial products. They start covering their heads to hide their embarrassment, scan websites on hair pieces when no-one is looking, and then the men sigh with relief because they find propecia. Taking this drug is a commitment. It’s slow to take effect and then its effects only last so long as you continue taking it. Stop and the hair loss resumes. But it works and it’s safe. Except that women can’t take propecia.

All this emotion caused by hair. Assuming you’re not a cancer patient going through chemo- or radiotherapy, hair falling out is not a sign your life is in danger. In fact, it’s perfectly normal. Every day, a healthy person loses an average of one hundred hairs. Except the “healthy” person replaces the hairs that fall. All of which prompts us to ask, “What causes hair loss?” In both men and women, the most usual cause is heredity. Current recent research suggests some people are born without one or two key genes. But there are other possible causes. Breaking off for a moment, men can always take propecia which stops the loss and may even allow some hair to grow back. But this drug cannot be taken by women, so we need to say a few words about the other possible causes for them.

Leaving heredity to one side, hair can be lost if you don’t have enough protein or iron in your diet, or if you suffer too much stress. This can occur if you go through a crash or fad diet. Divorce or other life-changing events can also produce loss. Another possibility is a hormone imbalance. Some women find some brands of oral contraceptive cause hair loss as can the physical stress and hormonal changes during pregnancy and birth. Similarly, hormone replacement therapy can cause hair loss. More generally, you can lose hair because of fungal infections of the scalp or thyroid problems, diabetes or lupus. Ask your local healthcare provider if you are taking medications. Some cause hair loss as a side effect. Finally, too many visits to the hairdresser, and perms or other chemically-based treatments can damage the hair and cause it to drop out. Pulling your hair back too severely into a lonytail can also pull it out from the roots.