The reason behind why women's locks are thinning

From Lady Godiva to Penelope Cruz, from L'Oreal ads to America's Next Top Model, hair has always been a symbol of a woman's sexiness and style.

"You can't pick up a woman's magazine without seeing dozens of ads for hair products, articles telling you how to make your hair more beautiful, and hair styles of celebrities," says Portland, Ore., artist Leslie Ann Butler who, for 30 years, has had very little hair as a result of an autoimmune disorder.

Her book, If Your Hair Falls Out, Keep Dancing, addresses the issue while stressing that "beauty is not on your head, it's in your heart."

Most women are extremely affected by this distressing condition, confirms Dr. Jerry Shapiro, a University of B.C. dermatology professor and a specialist in treating women's hair loss.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, women's hair loss is a growing problem affecting more than 30 million women in North America.

"Some can't leave the house, or can't work, and some feel so sad that it leads to depression," says Shapiro

Some 37% of women will experience some type of hair loss within their lifetime, he says.

"We lose about 100 hairs a day, so if you are starting to lose 200 or 300 every day, you know you have a problem. You can tell because your ponytail is half the width that it used to be: The elastic that goes around the ponytail now goes around many times instead of just once."

Hair loss is referred to as alopecia, but there are many types and many causes. It takes a family doctor or a dermatologist to figure out what kind and why.

The most common reason, says Shapiro, is genetic: Called female pattern hair loss, it displays a particular pattern of more thinning on the top of the scalp than in the back."

Other types of hair loss may be a result of autoimmune disease, thyroid disorders, a lack of iron in the diet, or polycystic ovary syndrome (a common hormonal problem.)

Starting or stopping the birth control pill can also produce hair changes in women as can having a baby.

Braiding hair or overbrushing (forget about those 100 strokes a day!) can also be a cause.

And taking certain drugs can induce hair loss: For a list of drugs related to hair loss, check out the American Hair Loss Association's helpful website (www.american hairloss.org).

Today there are so many available treatments, says Shapiro. "The treatment depends on the cause. If its female pattern hair loss, say, then it's topical minoxidil." Cortisone injections, finasteride, and androgen-receptor blockers may also be used.

Shapiro cautions patients to have patience when they're losing hair because it takes time to get to the "root" of the problem: "First get a proper diagnosis, then talk over the kinds of treatments that are appropriate, then decide whether the medical or surgical approach is best or a combination of the two."

Of course, there's always a wig.

here is a great natural recipe

mix castor oil + olive oil
and apply it for four hours once a week

it will work very well