Thinning hair

Hair loss, or alopecia, tends to affect both men and women as they grow older. Although this can be distressing and may cause loss of self-esteem, according to Georgia Health Info, gradual thinning is generally a normal part of the aging process rather than the symptom of any underlying medical condition. Approximately half of the population experience some hair thinning before the age of 50, reports The New England Journal of Medicine.

Types

• There are five main types of hair thinning, or hair loss. By far the most common is androgenetic alopecia, or pattern baldness. Other types of hair loss are telogen effluvium, which occurs after a emotional or psychological shock to the system; traction alopecia, which occurs when hairstyles pull hair tightly away from the scalp; cicatricial alopecia, which occurs when inflammation scars the hair follicles; and alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease.

Causes

• The three main causes of thinning hair are testosterone, aging and genetic disposition. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, less common causes include stress, perhaps caused by major surgery, a death in the family or childbirth; high fever or infection; thyroid disease; inadequate protein in the diet; medications; cancer treatments; low serum iron; fungus infection, commonly ringworm; and improper hair care or hair treatments.

Hair loss patterns

• In men, hair tends to begin thinning above the temples and recedes into a classic "M" pattern. Hair may also thin on the crown of the head. This may progress to partial, or total, baldness.

  Women, however, usually experience a decrease in the density of their hair rather than a receding hairline. This rarely progresses to baldness, partial or total.

Treatments

• MedLine Plus reports that the only medication that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved for treating female pattern baldness is minoxidil. Minoxidil must be applied twice daily and hair thinning may reoccur after discontinuing the treatment.

  Men can safely use minoxidil or finasteride, which is a drug taken in pill form that is generally more effective than minoxidil. In general, men need to use these treatments for six to 12 months to improve scalp coverage. Treatment with both drugs needs to be maintained for continued benefits.

Warnings

• Generally hair thinning is no cause for concern. You should, however, consult a doctor if you are experiencing any of the following conditions: hair thinning in an unusual pattern; hair thinning in your early 20s or teens; pain in the scalp area; a red, itchy or otherwise unusual scalp; bald spots on your eyebrows or any other area of your body; an unusual amount of acne; an irregular menstrual cycle; weight gain; or fatigue.