Yesterday, the perpetual issues women experience in the household and society resurfaced before our consciousness as the world celebrated International Women’s Day.

However, there is a less discussed issue that women, both in the ancient and modern world, are still a slave for — the socially-induced pressures to conform to the  definition of physical beauty. There is no wonder why hair loss causes depression more to a woman than to a man.

Unfortunately, women tend to experience various forms of hair loss throughout their lifetime. One of these conditions is called telogen effluvium, a stress-related hair loss.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, women are twice more prone than men to developing depression and stress disorders. Experts explain that women tend to concern themselves about other people besides their selves. Additionally, they struggle to prove themselves in arenas where men mostly rule without compromising their roles in the household.

Traumatic stress can greatly affect anyone physically, emotionally, and psychologically. But how does traumatic stress trigger hair loss?

Vitamin and Mineral Absorption

Proper vitamin and mineral absorption is important to make metabolic processes possible. When the body is under stress, however, the absorption of vitamins and minerals changes in a way it can cause shock to the hair follicles. Stress factors constrict the small blood vessels in the hair follicles, thereby causing malnutrition to the latter.

Prolactin and Testosterone Production

The hormone prolactin in women usually increases when stress levels increase. Prolactin is a hormone that may assist in the production of testosterone which is the core of hair loss. Testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the most common cause of hair loss, through the enzyme 5-alpha reductase.

Stress Hormones

Although cortisol reduces stress levels, its overproduction and underproduction in the adrenal glands can lead to hair loss. Corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) is another stress hormone that can trigger hair loss. When the body is under stress, CRH stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce excessive sebum,  a hair loss–causing agent.

Fortunately, telogen effluvium is only temporary so treatment is not really necessary at all. But when its physical damages are unbearable, there are a lot of hair loss treatment techniques such as topical minoxidil, laser treatment, or herbal medicine which can help.

Basically, relieving stress is the direct approach to the condition. Exercise and relaxation lower stress levels, apart from being beneficial to the body in a lot of ways.