Female Pattern Baldness: Causes, Treatment, And Prevention

Medically reviewed by Dr. Shruti Chavan, MBBS Dermatologist
March 16, 2021 by Sucharita Mishra

Shedding 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal. These hairs are usually replaced by new hair growth. However, this hair replacement does not happen in the case of female pattern baldness. You may instead experience bald patches and your hair may fall out in clumps. What causes this condition? Can you do something about it? Let us explore female pattern baldness in detail and the ways you may possibly reverse it.

Table Of Contents

What Is Female Pattern Baldness?

Female pattern baldness is characterized with excess hair loss and thinning. Although hair loss and balding is more common in males, females may also experience it. Women with female pattern baldness experience hair thinning that affects their hair volume. Although there will be no receding hairline, the scalp becomes visible.

Let us take a look at the various causes of female pattern baldness.

What Causes Female Pattern Baldness?

Genetics play a major role in female pattern baldness. Another cause could be an underlying condition that affects the production of androgen. A few other causes include:

PCOS: Polycystic ovary syndrome may also cause hair loss or hair thinning in some women. This hair loss begins at the vertex of the head (1).

Thyroid Disorder: Thyroid dysfunction may also cause hair loss and baldness in some women (2).

Menopause: Some research shows women may experience hair loss during pre-menopause (3). Anecdotal evidence suggests that this may happen during menopause too.

Medications: Certain medications may also cause hair loss (2). However, hair often regrows after you stop taking them.

Illness: Severe infections and high fever may also cause hair loss (also called telogen effluvium).

How To Diagnose Female Pattern Baldness

You can consult your doctor or dermatologist if you notice hair thinning or increased hair loss. They will examine your scalp to determine the hair loss pattern. If they suspect a different cause for your hair loss, they may conduct blood tests to arrive at a conclusion.

Treating female pattern baldness is important as it also may help reduce the chances of hair loss in the future. Some of these treatment methods are discussed in the next section.

What Are The Treatment options?

1. Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a popular over-the-counter medication used for treating hair loss in men and women. It is a topical medication applied to the scalp everyday. It may encourage new hair growth while preventing further hair thinning (4). It also can increase hair follicle size. However, this medication may not show the same results in all.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the medication also may cause scalp dryness or itching. Hence, consult your doctor before using minoxidil.

2. Spironolactone

One of the more popular oral medications that help treat female pattern baldness is spironolactone. This medication helps block the production of the androgen hormone – potentially preventing hair loss and helping with hair regrowth (5), (6). However, it may cause some adverse effects including dry mouth, nausea, and dizziness. More information is warranted in this regard. There is less information on the safety of spironolactone in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Avoid taking it without consulting your dermatologist.

3. Hair Transplant

You may opt for a hair transplant if medications are ineffective. Female pattern baldness usually affects some areas of the scalp. During the hair transplant procedure, doctors remove some of the hair follicles from the unaffected areas with healthy hair growth. They transplant these hair follicles to the affected areas.

4. Laser Treatment

Laser treatment involves low levels of laser lights that are emitted to stimulate hair growth (7). However, these treatments are usually expensive.

So, how long does it take for female pattern baldness to progress? Let’s find out.

How Long Does Female Pattern Baldness Take To Progress?

Female pattern baldness may affect women of any age group. However, it most commonly occurs in women after menopause. The hair loss may not be constant. You may see a slow increase in hair loss for 3 to 6 months, followed by stable hair growth for 6 to 12 months.

As it is primarily caused by genetics, it cannot be totally prevented. However, one can follow a few steps to reduce hair damage and breakage.

Minimizing Female Pattern Baldness

Avoid perming, straightening, or dyeing your hair. These methods can damage your hair follicles.
Eat a diet rich in protein, vitamins, and iron. These can promote healthy hair growth.
Avoid excess sun exposure. UV rays may impair the hair shafts and lead to hair loss (8). Use a SPF spray or a hat while going in the sun.

When To See A Doctor

Visit a dermatologist if you experience female pattern baldness. Women may experience hair loss for different reasons. The right diagnosis helps you understand the underlying causes and take the right measures.

Takeaway

Female pattern baldness could be a stressful experience for any woman. It also may affect one’s confidence. The right treatment may help treat the condition. Consult a doctor to determine the best course of action. More importantly, stay optimistic and make the right lifestyle choices – and you will have better results.

Frequently Asked Question

What is the relationship between hair loss in women and menopause?

A woman going through menopause may experience hormonal imbalances. This may reduce the production of estrogen and progesterone, which are hormones that promote scalp hair growth.

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