hair loss in female?

[fiftyplus]

Have noticed that I have been loosing a lot of hair over the last 3 weeks when I wash or brush it. Doesn't come out in clumps and I can't see any bald patches but it is a lot thinner - can see individual starnds where it used to be quite thick. If I run my fingers through it, at least 15 - 20 strands come away every time. I am a 50 year old female but not menopausal and otherwise healthy - apart from slightly overweight and I probably drink too much!!!!!! Anybody had experience of this?

[Ice.Maiden]

No, fiftyplus, but I understand that as we get older, some folk find that their hair thins naturally. I doubt it's anything to worry about.

[Petal~flower]

hi fiftyplus, I do think it partly hormonal, but do check to make sure you are getting your intake of vitamins

http://hairloss.about.com/od/preventinghairlos s/a/Vitamins.htm

[fiftyplus]

Thanks for that - think I will go to my GP to get it checked out. Just puts me off going 'cause I just know he will probably say its my age - seems to be the answer for everything. Perhaps this time he is right!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ice.Maiden]

Using a shampoo which gives volume to the hair, and the way in which you style it can also help. x

[Petal~flower]

yeah, its a bummer, fiftyplus, ... you go through life with periods and PMT, get past that, then its hair loss and menopause!!

Life just gets better huh! xx

[ladyalex]

I would definitely go to your GP.
Could be a thyroid problem or possibly anaemia.
Both easily fixed.Good luck.

[Petal~flower]

Hi ice, I lost a lot of my hair through medication and stress a few years ago..

Those volume shampoos do not work

[fiftyplus]

So right petal flower. Think I'll come back as a man - at least hair loss in men is socially acceptable - even sexy in some cases!!!!!!!!

[Ice.Maiden]

Hi hun. Sorry to hear that. I know that stress can sometimes cause the condition - but honestly, one of my grandma's uses a volumising shampoo, and it's definitely made a difference. Maybe that depends on the hair trype in the first place though. If someone has thin limp hair to begin with, maybe you wouldn't notice the difference much, but since hair loss worries a lot of people, I was just trying to think of any ways that might help fiftyplus - after seeing her doctor first, of course. x

[Petal~flower]

fiftyplus, I was thinking the same thing

[Petal~flower]

hi ice again, I know you were being helpful :-) but for me they did not work

I went to to see an alternative therapist, chinese medicine, which I took (tasted vile) but my hair did come back. Not sure if it was the herbs that worked, or my hair just started to come back, but you could give it a go fiftyplus

[Ice.Maiden]

I personally wouldn't get into a state about losing some hair, when there are children who go bald through leukaemia treatment, etc. Sometimes we just have to accept what nature does. x

[Petal~flower]

no offence to you Ice, but if you have been in the situation (I guess you havent) where you do loose your hair, it is very distressing.

[Drisgirl]

I was just talking to my hairdresser the other day about this -I lost some hair after my son was born -more thinning.

I am post menopausal (im 49) -have been a couple of years -startered early -thankfully and I didnt lose anymore hair -so in saying that I woulg go to the Docs cos I expected to lose more hrmonally but didnt.

My hairdresser -who is way younger also lost hair when her son was born.

I dont think it should be coming out like that -that would appear to me that its stress related.

Maybe have to calm down a wee bit with yer drink -that -I have used in the past as a crutch- may be youre doing that as well -I dont know.

Help is at hand -dont fear but act now !!

[Ice.Maiden]

Absolutely. I'm not for one minute making light of it hun, but when we have problems, whatever they might be, I think it helps to try and put things in perspective. The saying about "there's always someone worse off" is really true. I sympathise with anyone who has this sort of trouble though. x

[fiftyplus]

Quite right when you put in perspective like that. Will try and look for the positives of going bald. Can have an extra holiday with the money I will save on hair products, Will be lovely and cool when the weather is hot (if it ever is) and can be an ecentric old woman and wear lots of hats!!!!!!!!!

[Petal~flower]

my sister had a brain tumor at the age of 21, after the operation, and chemo, she now has a fine layer of hair at the front, and very very fine hair at the back, so yes, I see myself very lucky at only loosing part of my hair at one time, and it luckily grew back.

fiftyplus, get on the old vitamins, and see your doctor xx

[fiftyplus]

Thanks for all your help people. Never been on one of these sites before - its like talking to friends.
I suppose it could be stress related. I do have a new boss who is a pain in the backside. Didn't think I was stressed - but then I am sat here at this time in the morning with a glass of whiskey to help me sleep!!!!!!!! Will def see GP and let you know the results

[Petal~flower]

yes let us know how you get on....

also I was on anti depressants at one time, which i think caused the hair loss...........are you on tablets?

[Ice.Maiden]

Oh bless you, fiftyplus! I hope you really CAN make a joke about it now and again. Get yourself a brill wig! Paint patterns on your head!!! Awwww....seriously now - look at women like Sinead O'Conner. I think she was very attractive with a "bald" head. My auntie, who lost her hair through chemo therapy, used to wear some fantastic headscarves. They became her trademark, if you like - and although her hair's now grown back, maybe yours will as well. if you need hormone treatment, it may rectify your problem. I don't know hun, but I wish you luck. xx