Female Pattern Hair Loss

Female pattern hair loss is also called “androgenic alopecia” that affects women. While not as common for females as it is for males, it affects a large number of women every year.

There are also many other reasons why hair loss can occur. Scientists and doctors have yet to pinpoint specific reasons, but general known causes are genetics, getting older, and having a hormone imbalance.

These causes can even work together to lead to female hair loss. For instance, when a woman gets older she goes into a state of menopause. This creates many hormonal changes, which can lead to female baldness.

Many people are familiar with male pattern baldness, which generally begins with a receding hairline. Female hair loss usually results in having less hair all around the head, a thinning of hair, rather than concentrated in any one specific area. Female Pattern Baldness (FPB) affects 1 out of every 4 women in the United States. Recent findings have found that the incidence of FPB has been reported to be as low as 8% and as high as 87%. And, it does appear to be as common for women as for men. Most often, menopause is the most frequent time for female hair loss to become apparent.

Causes of Female Hair Loss 

It is important to understand the reason for hair thinning or baldness in females. It is not always due to female pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia, as it can also occur for a variety of other reasons.

Hormones — One cause of hair loss in women can be hormonal imbalances. Having an overactive or under active thyroid gland may cause thinning hair. Treating the thyroid disease will usually help this type of female hair loss. Hormones can also cause hair loss if female hormones (estrogens), are out of balance causing women's hair loss. However, if the hormone imbalance is corrected, the hair loss should stop.

Child Birth — Child birth may result in sudden hair loss in women. It's common for many women to notice hair loss after pregnancy - immediately 3 months after they've had a baby. This too, is caused by hormones. But this is not something to worry about. During pregnancy, hair shedding during the normal hair cycle is retarded in by high levels of hormones. Once the hormones have returned to pre-pregnancy levels, this extra hair is shed with the normal cycle of hair growth and loss returning over time.

Hair Loss from Menopause and Hormonal Therapies — causes of female hair loss can come from hormonal therapies such as Progesterone, a female hormone that inhibits the development of a new follicle. Hair loss and menopause are commonly linked and result in thinning hair in older women. Before menopause, about 13 percent of women experience hair thinning. After menopause, reporting of the problem from women increases to about 37 percent.

A doctor might be able to tell the cause of one’s hair loss by doing a simple evaluation of the hair and scalp. In some cases it will be necessary to have a sample of the scalp taken to test for certain diseases or disorders.

Preventing Hair Loss and Regrow Hair

Treating hair loss is something women experiencing this are very interested in as it can greatly impact appearance. In some cases, it is just accepted that as one gets older the amount of hair a woman has decreases. An effective hair loss treatment that has been successful for many women around the world is Provillus. Provillus promotes hair follicle growth, thereby supporting hair re-growth. It keeps the hair healthy and full-bodied by supplying adequate nutrients.

Some women are quite successful at disguising any noticeable hair loss by getting hair extensions or simply getting a different haircut. It is worth experimenting with different looks to avoid expensive medications or procedures.

Women who are experiencing an extreme case might turn to hair transplants. There are likely to be areas of hair that are not affected. These areas contain hair that can be transplanted to the thinner areas by a medical professional.

The choice of which method of stopping hair loss to use, or steps taken to reduce the obviousness of hair loss is up to the individual woman. It is important to make sure one’s appearance does not lead to low self-esteem or depression. For women who are not affected emotionally it is easier to adapt to changes in hair that are not preventable. Others should not feel shy about seeking treatment.

It is definitely good news that female pattern hair loss has a good outlook. There are different treatment options available, and a doctor can eliminate other, more serious causes.

~ Female Pattern Hair Loss ~