Female Pattern Baldness – Causes and Treatments

Baldness or hair loss is usually a problem associated with the male gender. Hair loss and baldness however is just as problematic for women as it is for men. Fortunately many types of female hair loss can be easily treated. Female hair loss in women can begin at any age. Some women experience hair loss that is hereditary in nature, while others may experience hair loss that results from hormonal changes or medication use. Not all women suffer from female pattern alopecia, which involves a thinning of the hair on top of the scalp. Some women for example, may experience hair loss on the sides or back of the scalp. Others may experience overall thinning. Some thinning, such as that associated with the post partum period, is usually temporary.

Hair Loss Patterns

Patterns of hair loss vary from woman to woman. The most commonly reported hair loss patterns in women include:

1. Thinning that occurs over the entire scalp. This thinning usually is more apparent at the back of the head.

2. Thinning over the scalp with more noticeable balding or thinning toward the front of the head. This pattern usually does not involve the front hairline however.

3. Thinning that occurs in the front of the scalp including the hairline.

Hair Loss Causes

Aside from androgenetic alopecia, which is often associated with male pattern baldness, a number of conditions can result in female hair loss. These include:

• Alopecia areata – This is thought to result from an autoimmune disorder and can cause patches of hair to fall out.
• Trichotillomania – Hair loss results in this case from compulsive pulling. Usually psychological treatment is necessary to resolve hair loss issues.
• Triangular alopecia – This condition results in hair loss in the temporal areas of the scalp. Some women with this condition start losing their hair in childhood. Usually a doctor can treat this problem with medicines or surgery.
• Scarring alopecia – This is hair loss that results from scarring. This commonly occurs in African American women. It may result from tight braiding that is persistent over time. Postmenopausal women are often more susceptible to this condition.

Hair loss in women can be devastating. Society typically regards women’s hair as a sign of beauty, fertility and youth. Many women feel that a full head of hair is necessary to function well in life. Hair loss can result in emotional turmoil and self esteem for many women. Fortunately there are a number of highly effective treatments a woman can use to help combat hair loss. Here are some popular treatment choices for women experiencing hair loss:

• Hair transplants – While this procedure is more commonly associated with men, women can also undergo hair transplant surgery. This treatment is often effective for reducing hair loss associated with a heredity-based condition. Not all women are good candidates for this procedure. Women who are good candidates include those with patchy areas of thinning rather than total hair thinning. Women must also have enough donor hair available for the transplant and the procedure should be able to meet a woman’s expectations following transplantation.
• Minoxidil – This is an effective and FDA approved treatment for hair loss in men and women. Women simply have to apply this topical treatment twice daily to help prevent or slow hair loss. Many users have reported hair regrowth with routine use. Many find this product an easy product to incorporate into a daily beauty regimen. Also called Rogaine, Minoxidil is one of the better-known therapies for hair loss in women.
• Hair extensions – Many women are opting for human hair extensions to help restore their hairs thickness and length. Human hair extensions provide a natural looking alternative to hair transplantation surgery. You can use them to cover patches or to address overall hair thinning throughout the scalp. Hair extensions are applied in individual strands or in wefts. The safest application procedures involve braiding extensions into the hair. Using glues or waxes to apply hair extensions may result in increased damage to a woman’s already fine and thinning hair.

It is important you consider your personal goals and lifestyle before selecting the hair treatment alternative most likely to resolve your hair problems. Remember, for many women hair loss is a reality. Fortunately there are many steps you can take to stop the problem from affecting your life and well-being!

Antigone Arthur is a successful freelance writer with 10 years of professional experience providing consumers with informative articles on such topics as hair restoration, alopecia areata, and hair analysis.