Your Complete Guide to Female Pattern Baldness
08 / 08 / 19

Your Complete Guide to Female Pattern Baldness

Losing hair or experiencing baldness is often associated with men, but they aren't the only ones who can experience hair loss. Women all over the world also experience hair loss, with less than half of women making it past the age of 65 with a full head of thick hair. Becoming educated and aware of female pattern baldness can help you or someone you love stop hair loss in its tracks. Here's everything you need to know about female pattern hair loss, who it affects, why, how, and what you can do to get help.

Female Pattern Hair Loss: The Basics

The average person sheds up to 250 hairs every day, but the regeneration process should replace these lost hairs. When the hair that is shed is not being replaced, hair loss is inevitable. This can happen in both men and women, for a variety of reasons.

Female pattern hair loss, or FPHL, is also known as androgenetic alopecia. It is the most common type of hair loss in women and affects millions all over the world. While alopeciais often associated with baldness, women with female pattern baldness typically do not experience total hair loss. When a woman begins to experience predominant and gradual thinning of the hair, female pattern hair loss may be the cause.

Causes of Female Pattern Baldness

The most significant factor in a woman's tendency to develop female pattern hair loss isgenetics. Just like a man, a female can inherit the "hair loss" gene from either parent, increasing the odds of experiencing hair loss at some point in life. It is also most common for women aged 40 and above to experience FPHL, developing under menopausal and hormonal changes in the body. Other causes of female pattern hair loss can include certain autoimmune diseases, certain medications, illness, and conditions of the pituitary gland/ovaries.

Symptoms of Female Pattern Hair Loss

Though men and women alike can experience hair loss, women typically experience it differently. For instance, while it is common for men to have bald spots or receding hairlines, it is more common for women with FPHL to experience a general hair thinning, which affects overall volume. Female pattern baldness typically causes the growing phase of hair to slow down.

Women with female pattern hair loss may notice the hair's part widening or simply a sensation that the hair is not as full as it once was. With FPHL, this thinning progressively and gradually worsens. You may notice hair thinning at the part, temples, and on the crown of your head. Without treatment, female pattern hair loss can lead to widespread thinning.

What You Can Do About Female Pattern Hair Baldness

Seeking help for female pattern hair loss is the first step. A medical professional can help discover the root of hair loss and provide treatment options accordingly. The type of treatment you receive will depend on the cause, extent, as well as other factors. Taking measures to prevent further thinning can also help avoid worsening hair loss.

Prevention

Though you may not be able to protect yourself from inheriting any genetic disposition for hair loss, there are things that can be done to help strengthen hair and prevent loss/breakage. Ensure you are eating a healthy diet, rich in nutrients and vitamins. Also avoid smoking tobacco, which can speed up hair loss, and wear a hat outside to avoid getting too much exposure to the sun. Talk to your doctor about any medication you're on and if they can contribute to hair loss. It is also important to try to limit treatments that damage your hair, such as perming, coloring, etc.

Treatment

In addition to some oral drugs or prescriptions, today's innovation allows for many hair loss treatment options. Women experiencing FPHL can find help with laser hair therapy, which stimulates blood flow to the hair follicles, or hair integration, where new hair is combined with your existing hair. Hair grafts and graduated hair enhancements may also help. Synthetic hair systems, natural-looking extensions, and wigs can also help women get back to having thick, full hair.

Hair loss is experienced by women all over the world every year. It's important to seek the help of a trusted professional with any questions or concerns regarding hair loss. Don't spend your time worrying about a problem that could be fixed! Contact our expert staff at New Image Hair Clinic to schedule your consultation today!