Female Pattern Baldness

What causes alopecia - or female pattern baldness?

20% of all women will suffer some amount of hair loss. usually caused by aging, illness, or hormonal changes after menopause. No one really knows the cause, but it is probably a combination of genetics, aging, endocrine hormones, and sometime illness. Female pattern baldness is fairly consistent with a subtle thinning all over the scalp as opposed to the patchy hair loss typical to men. It can appear at any age. Almost all women usually employ a graduated approach to their baldness program. This ultimately turns out to be ineffective and expensive.

Women have had great difficulty with hereditary observations due to their tremendous ability to cover up cosmetic flaws. While most men who wear toupees' are so obvious they are usually unwitting laughing stocks, it can be very difficult to determine if a woman is wearing a wig. Many women never knew their mothers, grandmothers, or sisters also suffered from hair loss.

There is some variability to the pattern: Diffuse thinning of hair over the entire scalp, often with more noticeable thinning toward the back of the scalp; Diffuse thinning over the entire scalp, with more noticeable thinning toward the front of the scalp but not involving the frontal hairline; Diffuse thinning over the entire scalp, with more noticeable thinning toward the front of the scalp, involving and sometimes breaching the frontal hairline.

The patterns of hair loss in women are not as easily recognizable as those in men. A woman who notices the beginning of hair loss may not be sure if the loss is going to be temporary or permanent. There may have been a recent event such as pregnancy or illness that may be associated with temporary hair thinning. The initial reaction of most women is to not notice or to ignore it. This might be followed by unpleasant surprise. Initial plausible reasons could range from blaming a new hair style to the investigation of hair products. Following this are steps through different hair products, vitamins, natural cures, and eventually wigs or hair extensions. The more intense female pattern hair loss can begin very early. For some women who have had early puberties, hair loss can commence in their early 20's or even teenage years. This hair loss if left untreated can progress to more advanced hair loss if left untreated.

The only drug or medication approved by the FDA to treat female pattern baldness is minoxidil. Minoxidil may help hair to grow in about a quarter of women and in most it can slow or stop the loss of hair. Hair loss will continue when minoxidil use is stopped. Hair replacement surgery is the only way to actually replace hair. Minoxidil is good to use with hair transplantation.

Good candidates for hair transplants should have dense hair growth at the back of the head. Mini-grafts are harvested from this dense area and replanted in thinning areas to create a fuller look. Despite promises, you can never have the full head of hair that existed prior to your hair loss. Hair restoration surgery will vastly improve hair coverage and fullness.