Female pattern baldness

blog image Female Pattern Baldness – Androgenetic Alopecia

Female Pattern Hair Loss also known as Androgenetic alopecia, and hereditary balding or thinning in women. Female pattern baldness is the most frequent kind of hair loss in women.

Causes

A follicle is a small pore in the skin where each strand of hair resides. In general, baldness develops when the hair follicle shrinks with time, resulting in shorter and finer hair. Finally, the follicle stops producing new hair. The follicles are still alive, indicating that new hair can develop. The cause of female pattern baldness is unclear, however it might be connected to:

  • Aging
  • Changes in the levels of androgens (hormones that can stimulate male features)
  • Family history
  • A lot of loss of blood during menstrual periods
  • Certain medicines, such as estrogenic oral contraceptives

Symptoms

Hair thinning differs from male pattern baldness. For female pattern baldness:

  • Hair thins mostly on the top and crown of the head. It generally begins with a broadening of the central hair portion. This pattern of hair loss is known as the Christmas tree pattern.
  • The front hairline remains unchanged, save for typical aging-related receding.
  • Hair loss seldom advances to entire or near-total baldness, as it might in males.
  • If the cause is an increase in androgens, the hair on the head thins while the hair on the face becomes coarser.

Itching on the scalp is not common.

Exams and Tests

Female pattern baldness is commonly diagnosed based on:

  • Eliminating other reasons for hair loss, such as thyroid disorders or iron deficiency.
  • Understanding the look and trend of hair loss.
  • Your medical history.

The health care provider will examine you for other signs of too much male hormone (androgen), such as:

  • Excessive hair growth on the face or between the belly button and pelvic region.
  • Changes in menstrual cycle and clitoris enlargement.
  • New acne
  • Diagnosing skin conditions causing hair loss may need a scalp biopsy or blood testing.
  • A dermoscope or a microscope may be used to examine the hair for abnormalities with the structure of the hair shaft.

Treatment

Untreated, hair loss in female pattern baldness is irreversible. Most hair loss is mild to severe. Minoxidil is the only FDA-approved drug for treating female pattern baldness.

  • It is applied to the scalp.
  • For women, the 2% solution or 5% foam is recommended.
  • Minoxidil may help hair grow in about 1 in 5 women. In most women, it may slow or stop hair loss.
  • You must continue to use this medicine for a long time. Hair loss starts again when you stop using it. Also, the hair that it helps grow will fall out.

HAIR LOSS TREATMENT:

This procedure is effective in females. During a hair transplant, tiny plugs of hair are removed from areas where hair is thicker and placed (transplanted) in areas that are balding. Minor scarring may occur where hair is removed. The results can be excellent and permanent.

The conclusion for female pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia, is that while it is the most common form of hair loss in women and often irreversible, there are treatment options available. The primary non-surgical treatment is Minoxidil, an FDA-approved medication that can promote hair growth or slow the progression of hair loss in some women. For those seeking more permanent solutions, hair transplant surgery may be effective, involving the relocation of hair from thicker areas to balding areas, with typically excellent results. But make sure to consult with your doctor or you can book a consultation with us for free!