Only approximately 90% of the hair on the scalp grows at any one time, 10% is in a resting phase, and a growth cycle lasts about two to three years. The resting hair falls after about three or four months, new hair grows in its place and this is a normal shedding/growth cycle. However undue hair fall is a cause of concern and hormones that cause hair loss can be the reason. Excessive hair loss affects everyone, men, women and of course children.

Hormonal problems include an overactive thyroid and this can be helped by treating the thyroid illness. Then there are also problems when male hormones or androgens are playing up or their female counterparts; estrogens. If these are out of balance, correcting the balance with HRT can help.

Often women will find that their hair seems to fall out more than normal after giving birth. This generally occurs about three months’ post-partum. This is quite normal and is due to high hormone levels during pregnancy which keep normal loss at bay. When the levels of estrogen and progesterone normalize, normal growth cycles commence again and the loss may seem more excessive.

Common or male pattern baldness is also known as androgenetic alopecia and this is the most common type of hormone causing balding in men. It is a permanent pattern baldness and may have been inherited. Although the hereditary aspect of balding seems to have been proven, there is still debate regarding how or why it is inherited.

The earlier this loss occurs, generally the more permanent and extensive it is, but the good thing is that shaven heads may be a little cold, but they are extremely fashionable. This starts with a receding hairline and on the top of the head, at back towards the crown.

Has anyone taken a good look at young prince William of England lately? His is a typical pattern of androgenetic alopecia, but there is more good news. Males with this problem have more testosterone and are therefore presumed to be more virile. So what you lack above the belt is more than made up with below the belt!

Treatments are available, some natural, some not so natural, but many have been proven to stop, slow down or even reverse this balding cycle.

Throughout the history of mankind there has been a search on to find the holy grail of hair loss prevention and its causes. In recent years, it is well documented that the cause is genetic/hormonal and we are also born with only a certain amount of hair follicles. These are all we will ever grow; take care of them while they do still grow.