Discussion On Female Pattern Baldness
Hair Loss
Female Pattern Baldness
The loss of hair in women is called female pattern baldness or female pattern hair loss. Just like in men, it involves a typical pattern of loss of hair in women. The causes behind this type of baldness are hormones, aging, and genetic make up favorable to developing baldness. It affects approximately one-third of all susceptible women, but it is most commonly seen after menopause. It is also known as androgenetic alopecia. But unlike men, it does not have to be complete hair loss. In most cases, hair thins out on the top and in front of the head.
Different patterns
As the term suggests, balding or thinning of hair follows a certain pattern where, although the entire scalp can witness some thinning of hair, it mostly occurs:
- predominately towards the top back of the scalp.
- or predominately towards the top front of the scalp but not involving the frontal hairline.
- or predominately towards the top front of the scalp, involving and sometimes breaching the frontal hairline.
Causes of pattern baldness
The major cause of pattern hair loss in women is the same as in men. The interaction of male hormones such as testosterone and androgen and 5-alpha reductase enzyme results in formation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the hair follicle. This level of interaction is generally directed by genetic coding of a person. This DHT compound weakens and eventually finishes the follicle off. Major medicinal treatments available for this kind of hair loss target this interaction. Results of pattern baldness
But the results of pattern hair loss in are slightly different in men and women. While in men the process that starts from hair thinning eventually leads to true baldness. Women on the other hand, are a little luckier, as true baldness rarely occurs in women. More often than not it is just a thinning of hair in some places following a diffuse pattern.
That apart, hormonal imbalance (excess of male hormones) and hormonal changes (after pregnancy or following discontinuation of birth control pills) can also trigger pattern baldness in women.
Baldness in women that does not follow any pattern
Hair loss in women might be because of several reasons other than those outlined above. They are:
- Compulsive hair pulling or Trichotillomania, it involves pulling or bending of hair in selected areas. The baldness due to this reason is typically patchy. The reason for compulsive hair pulling is psychological and can't be treated until or unless that problem is addressed.
- Hair loss due to autoimmune disorders: This condition is called Alopecia areata. It happens when body's immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles. The resulting baldness can range from diffuse thinning to extensive areas of baldness with "islands" of retained hair.
- Hair loss due to trauma: Hair loss in women can happen because of traumas such as chemotherapy, childbirth, major surgery, poisoning, and severe stress. It is also called Telogen effluvium.
- Hair loss due to radiation: If a person is exposed to radiation either through accident or through radiation therapy baldness can be one of the effects.
- Mycotic infections: Baldness can be caused by some mycotic fungal infections.
- Hypothyroidism: Baldness can be caused by Hypothyroidism (under active thyroid gland).
- Hyperthyroidism: Baldness can be caused by Hyperthyroidism (over active thyroid gland).
There are many other possible causes of hair loss too. If you have any concern, you should consult with a dermatologist and with his/her help decide what are the causes behind it and what would be the best treatment for it in consultation with a qualified medical professional.