Women experience hair loss almost as much as men do, which is quite shocking for some due to it being mainly associated with men. The female pattern hair loss differs from that which affects men.
It is not a receding hairline that progressively retreats back into the scalp, revealing more of it. Rather, it happens in the crown area of the head where the hair parts at the sides, becoming progressively thinner as time goes on.
The causes of it are many, as are the options for treating female pattern hair loss. It is important to properly identify the cause in order to deal with it properly.
Diagnosing Female Pattern Hair Loss
If you suspect having female pattern hair loss, consult a doctor, and they will conduct a thorough scalp examination. They will be able to tell you if your hair is actually thinning. Also, they will conduct a blood test and go over your medical history to see if there’s any reason to suspect something else is the cause of it.
Causes for Female Pattern Hair Loss
There are a few things that can trigger hair loss in females. Depending on which, the treatment of female hair pattern hair loss varies as well.
Androgenetic Alopecia
It is the most common reason, and it happens because of an active set of genes passed by one or both parents. If you have a family member that is balding, especially female family members, then it could also happen to you too.
The set of genes that causes it will lead to higher chances of hair follicles shrinking and no longer growing over time. Hair loss this way is permanent and usually appears starting middle age.
Hormonal Imbalance
Sudden changes in the hormones of your body are also to blame. Situations such as childbirth and menopause cause this naturally. Your hormone levels are high in estrogen and prolactin when pregnant but readjust to normal levels after childbirth.
The sudden fall of it triggers some hair loss. Likewise, menopause causes permanent reduction of the levels of estrogen in the body and increase in androgens. This ultimately encourages hair loss.
Traction Alopecia
It is mainly associated with hairstyles that pull the hair constantly, thus stressing the hair follicles. Hair loss this way can be permanent.
Alopecia Areata
It’s an autoimmune disorder where your immune system thinks your hair follicles are viruses and attacks them, causing hair to fall. Once under control, the hair grows back.
Infections
The scalp can become infected due to ringworm or poor hygiene in the area. Oral medication can treat this, and the hair can grow back.
Medications for Treating Female Pattern Hair Loss
Only a few treatments have managed to give results when treating female pattern hair loss.
Minoxidil
Also goes by the name Rogaine. It is an over-the-counter topical solution which encourages hair growth in the area applied. Minoxidil takes six months to show results by applying it twice a day. It only helps grow hair back, but it does not stop hair loss.
Spironolactone
Also known as Aldactone. It is a diuretic medication with anti-androgen effects. It decreases the level of androgens in the body. Fewer androgens mean fewer chances of triggering the effects of androgenetic alopecia. It has a few side effects, however. Dizziness, vomiting, and thirstiness are some of them.
Treating Female Pattern Hair Loss with a Hair Transplant
Finally, an FUE hair transplant is effective in treating female pattern hair loss permanently.
In it, the surgeon moves new hair follicles into your balding area from the back of your scalp via microscopic surgical incisions. The new hair follicles will grow normally just the same as they would have at their original place.
Our surgeons deliver natural-looking results, placing the grafts following your hair growth pattern. Contact us if treating your female pattern hair loss permanently once and for all is what you look for.