Monthly Archives: October 2010

Most women wouldn’t know what to do if they experienced hair loss and it can be quite traumatic for both the person who is going through it and also those who are offering support. Regardless of the reasons why you have lost or are losing your hair, having the support of those around you will make a big difference and make you feel like you aren’t going through it all on your own.

Hair loss happens to women for a variety of reasons, some of which cannot be explained but most diagnosed cases of hair loss can be treated by medication from your doctor and also from reducing the amount of stress that is in your life.

Some cases of hair loss are due to women putting themselves through a large amount of stress or they going through a traumatic event in the life and it affects them in many ways but hair loss is one of the common symptoms of being stressed, over worked and not coping with a situation.

Your doctor will be able to give you advice about reducing the amount of stress in your life and give you tips on how to handle the stress that you are currently going through. They will offer you the support that you need to get through this difficult time.

A mum-of-two from Tuam in County Galway has spoken out on what is often perceived to be an embarrassing medical condition – female hair loss. Vivienne McIntyre has spoken to local newspapers and even appeared on a TV show to talk about her fight with not one, but two types of alopecia.

Vivienne, 52, first realised she was losing her hair when she awoke to clumps of it lying on her pillow. At the GP’s office, she was told in no uncertain terms to prepare herself for total baldness. She describes her experience, saying:

“I always had a great head of hair. Then last year, I started noticing hair on my pillow every morning. I ignored it for a while, but it started getting worse and worse.

“I went to two different doctors and their lack of empathy was overwhelming.

“I was told it was due to menopause and to forget about it — at least I didn’t have cancer. I went away feeling very alone, guilty and down.”

This continued until Vivienne visited a trichologist, a specialist in female hair loss, who told her that she had two types of alopecia. She is currently undergoing hair loss treatment and is in recovery.

Overall, Vivienne wants to use her experience to tell other women suffering from hair loss not to be embarrassed or to pretend it isn’t happening. Her message to hair loss sufferers is: “you are not alone”.