Hair loss is a common condition that affects men and women. There are many things that can cause hair loss, such as genetics, certain medications and medical conditions.
What Is Hair Loss?
Hair loss is the partial or complete loss of scalp hair. The most common types of hair loss include male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia), female pattern baldness and alopecia areata. Hair loss can occur at any age, although it’s more common in people who are middle-aged or older.
What Causes Hair Loss?
There are many factors that can contribute to hair loss, including:
Genetics – About 95% of men who have male pattern baldness have inherited it from their fathers. And while women don’t usually inherit balding genes from their fathers, they may pass them on to their children if they have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a hormonal disorder that increases your chances of developing diabetes and heart disease later in life.
Medications – Certain medications can cause temporary or permanent hair thinning and shedding. These include blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin), some antidepressants (such as Paxil) and drugs used to treat high blood pressure (such as Procardia). Some chemotherapy drugs and steroids can also cause hair loss.
Other causes – Hair loss may be caused by fungal infections, nutritional deficiencies or thyroid problems. You may also have a condition such as alopecia areata, which causes patchy baldness.
Take A DNA Hair Loss Test
There are companies like Thrix, providing bloodwork for hair loss, that can help you determine if you have a genetic predisposition for male or female pattern baldness. The test measures the amount of activity in certain genes that are associated with hair loss. You can then get a customized plan that targets the root cause of your hair loss.
Conclusion
Hair loss is a common problem, and there are many reasons for it. Genetics plays a role, as does stress, poor diet and certain medications. If you’re experiencing hair loss, take a hair loss DNA test to help you identify the root cause of your hair loss. Then you can get a customized plan to help slow or stop your hair loss.