Causes Of Hair Loss, Part 3 Female Pattern Baldness

By Steve M. Seo, LAc, PhD

Seo Acupuncture & Herbs Clinic

. http://hanmaeumacupuncture.com/en/index.html

More Complementary & Integrative Healthcare Articles

Causes Of Hair Loss, Part 3 Female Pattern Baldness

Q. What is the difference between female and male hair loss?

Female hair loss occurs in more than one pattern. Women tend to have less obvious patterns of hair loss than men, and non-pattern types of hair loss are more frequent in women than in men. Unlike hair loss in men, female hair loss may not have any obvious hereditary association, and may not occur in a recognizable “female-pattern alopecia” of diffuse thinning over the top of the scalp.

A woman who notices the beginning of hair loss may not be sure if the loss is going to be temporary or permanent. For example, a recent event such as pregnancy or illness may or may not be associated with temporary hair thinning.

Q. What is the most common cause of female hair loss?

In women as in men, the most likely cause of scalp hair loss is androgenetic alopecia and inherited sensitivity to the effects of androgens (male hormones) on scalp hair follicles. However, women with hair loss due to this cause usually do not develop true baldness in the patterns that occur in men.

Q. What is female pattern alopecia?

It is the most common type of hair loss seen in women and is called androgenetic alopecia. Alopecia means baldness but just as in men, it does not have to be complete hair loss. It is seen as hair thinning predominately over the top and front of the head. It affects approximately one-third of all susceptible women, but it is most commonly seen after menopause.

Female pattern hair loss may begin as early as puberty. If there are signs of hormone imbalance, such as excess facial or body hair, a hormone evaluation should be done. Hormonal changes are a common cause of female hair loss.

Q. What are the patterns of female androgenetic alopecia?

Patterns of female androgenetic alopecia can vary considerably in appearance. Patterns that may occur include

• 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. A receding hairline or balding spot usually characterizes hair loss in men, but female pattern hair loss rarely displays either of these symptoms.