Female Pattern Baldness - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Prevention

Female Pattern Baldness is a particular type of pattern baldness that occurs because of certain genetic factors. This type of female baldness is also called Androgenic Alopecia or Androgenetic Alopecia.

Although both male and female pattern baldness usually affects people of advanced ages, nowadays, pattern baldness, particularly female pattern baldness in the 20s has become increasingly common.

Fortunately, there are effective male and female pattern baldness treatments available in the market. Some natural remedies may also help. In this article we take a look at female pattern baldness cure and what we can do to keep it in check.

Also Read : Female Hair Transplant : Can Women Opt for Surgical Hair Restoration

What is Female Pattern Baldness?

Female pattern baldness or Androgenetic Alopecia is hereditary in nature and occurs in women usually in their late 50s. In other words, female pattern baldness usually starts in women after they reach their menopause.

Therefore scientists believe that certain hormones are primarily responsible for female pattern baldness. However, there may be a range of other factors that may cause female baldness.

Since there are underlying medical conditions leading to female pattern baldness, one must consult a medical expert to seek opinion. Doctors might suggest a range of therapies and medications and it is important that we follow them closely to see the best results.

What does Female Pattern Baldness Look Like?

The main difference between male and female pattern baldness is that while the male pattern baldness follows an ‘M’ shape, in females, the baldness is more diffused in nature. It usually starts at the parting line of the hair and gradually affects the whole scalp.

The hair surrounding the parting line starts to fall off, followed by thinning of hair all over the scalp. Generally speaking, female pattern baldness follows a Christmas tree-like shape.

Doctors often use different classifications to describe this type of baldness. There are three stages in this type of female alopecia:

Stage 1

The first stage starts with a simple loss of hair from the hair parting. You may not notice it even. A lot of women do not realize that they are suffering from female alopecia because the rate of hair loss is not severe.

It starts with a gradual thinning of hair at the hair parting. Women often tend to think that this is just normal hair loss and try to hide it by certain hairstyling techniques that conceal the bald area.

Stage 2

This stage is marked by greater volume of hair fall. However, the affected area still remains relatively small. There is a visible widening of the hair parting line, and this is the time at which women take notice of the situation.

However, a delay in seeking medical help and the propensity to try out various baldness remedies for women, may jeopardize the process and make hair loss more aggressive. Soon, we enter the third and the final stage.

Stage 3

In this stage the hair loss happens in a more diffused way throughout the scalp. We also come to see a thinning of hair from all parts of the scalp. Once a patient enters this stage, recovery takes longer and hair regrowth becomes even more difficult.

What is the Cause of Female Pattern Baldness?

Chiefly hereditary in nature, female baldness is mainly caused by secretion of certain hormones. However the chances of having female pattern baldness increase if a woman has a history of pattern baldness on both sides of the family.

Let us look at some of the main causes of this type of baldness:-

As the name suggests, female baldness is also caused by the secretion of a particular hormone called androgen. They are found in both men and women and are responsible for sex drive and hair growth.

Female pattern baldness, due to malfunctioning of the androgen hormones, may in fact start right after puberty. That is why, at least in some cases, female pattern baldness in 20s may be noticed. However, in most cases, such a condition occurs after menopause.

Female alopecia can also be caused by the over-secretion of androgen hormones due to an underlying endocrine condition. An androgen-secreting tumor in the ovary, pituitary or the adrenal glands may also cause hormonal imbalance leading to this type of medical condition.

Does Female Pattern Baldness Happen Quickly?

The answer is simply ‘no’. This is because neither hair fall nor hair loss happens all of a sudden. One has to understand the life cycle of a hair to understand female baldness better.

The hair undergoes a development phase called the anagen phase. This is the time between the fall of a hair strand and the growth of another strand in its place. In female pattern baldness the so-called anagen phase is longer.

This means that hair falls quickly. However, it takes a longer period of time for hair regrowth.

What are the Chances for a Woman to Get Female Pattern Baldness in Her 20s?

Female pattern baldness in 20s is uncommon if not rare. Usually, female alopecia does not start before the age of 50. This is the time that women encounter their menopause.

Scientists believe that menopausal women may experience hormonal imbalance, which increases their chances of having female baldness.

Androgens, which are responsible for male pattern baldness, may also play a significant role in female baldness. Certain medical conditions, like the growth of a tumor, or lifestyle choices like excessive smoking, may lead to female pattern baldness in 20s.

How can it be Diagnosed?

There are a range of tests that are available today to diagnose female baldness and to distinguish a medical condition from normal hair loss. Here are some of the most popular tests in the market:-

• Hormonal test: checking the levels of hormones in the body to determine if there is excessive secretion of the androgens.
• Thyroid test: Checking thyroid levels is also important because thyroids control hormonal secretion, which in turn control hair growth and hair fall.
• Scalp biopsy: Another popular test, which involves the removal of a small portion of the scalp and testing it under a microscope to determine the underlying problem.
• Hair pull: An easy test that can be performed at home. One needs to pull off around 100 strands of hair at one go and see how many hair strands come off. If more than three strands come off then you are likely to suffer from some kind of hair trouble.

What is the Treatment for Female Pattern Baldness?

While care is the right way to keep your hair healthy, however there are some kinds of hair loss that are inevitable. Androgenetic Alopecia is a medical condition that damages the hair, leading to hair loss and female pattern baldness.

Androgenetic Alopecia is treatable by medications. Your doctor may suggest medications or procedures or a combination of both.

The various treatments and procedures available to cure baldness in women include:-

• Laser Hair Therapy
• Hair Transplant Treatment
• Hair Restoration Treatment
• Hair Replacement
• Hair Extension Procedures
• Hair Loss Treatment etc.

How can you Prevent Female Pattern Baldness?

Hair experts recommended the following ways to restore hair:-

• Eat a healthy diet.
• Avoid damaging hairstyles and use of electronic heating equipment such as curlers and straighteners.
• Use medications as recommended by your doctor.
• You must protect your hair while going out. This saves your hair strands from harmful UV rays, dust and pollution.
• Certain supplements like omega-3 fatty acids have been helpful.
• Laser therapy and hair transplant are also available. At Advanced Hair Studio, we also provide a range of effective and long-lasting treatments for female pattern baldness.

Conclusion

This article demystifies female pattern baldness. We looked at how both male and female pattern baldness are a result of the secretion of particular hormones called androgens. Hence, female baldness is also called female androgenic alopecia or female alopecia.

Although it is more prevalent in women in their 50s, female pattern baldness in 20s has also been noted. While the market is full of female pattern baldness treatments, you should always rely on hair experts to provide you with the most effective solutions and baldness remedies for women.

We at Advanced Hair Studio have been providing female baldness solutions for decades. For over 47 years, we have provided male or female pattern baldness treatments to our customers. Our clients include a host of celebrities and sports personalities, who speak highly of our range of hair loss solutions.

We start by carrying out an Advanced Hair Check to diagnose the problem and suggest an effective solution to restore hair. From surgical solutions, like Strand-by-Strand Ultimate, to non-surgical patented solutions like Strand-by-Strand Cosmetic our staggering range of hair loss treatments will surely impress you.

Give us a call or visit one of our hair clinics today for effective treatments for female pattern baldness.