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Female-pattern baldness Causes and Risks:
Hair grows from the hair follicle at an average rate of a 1/2 inch per month. Each hair grows for 2 to 6 years, then rests, and finally falls out. A new hair then begins growing in its place. At any one time, about 85% of the hair is growing and 15% is resting.
Baldness occurs when the hair falls out but a new hair does not grow in its place. The cause of the failure to grow a new hair is not well understood, but it is associated with genetic predisposition, aging, and levels of endocrine hormones (androgens). Changes in the levels of the androgens can affect hair production. For example, after the hormonal changes of menopause , many women find that the hair on the head is thinned, while facial hair is coarser. Although new hair is not produced, the follicle remains alive, suggesting the possibility of new hair growth.
The typical pattern of female-pattern baldness is different than that of male-pattern baldness . The hair thins all over the head, but the frontal hairline is maintained. There may be a moderate loss of hair on the crown, but this rarely progresses to total or near baldness as it may in men.
Hair loss can occur in women for reasons other than female-pattern baldness. These may include temporary shedding of hair (telogen effluvium), breaking of hair (from such things as styling treatments, and twisting or pulling of hair), patchy areas of total hair loss (alopecia areata--an immune disorder causing temporary hair loss), oral medications, as well as certain skin diseases.
Prevention:
There is no known prevention.
Symptoms:
- thinning of hair over the entire head
- hair loss at the crown or hairline, mild to moderate
Signs and Tests:
Female pattern baldness is usually diagnosed based on the appearance and pattern of hair loss and by ruling out other causes of hair loss.
A skin biopsy or other procedures may be used to diagnose medical disorders that cause loss of hair .
Hair analysis is not accurate for diagnosing nutritional or similar causes of hair loss. It may reveal substances such as arsenic or lead, however.
Treatment:
The hair loss of female-pattern baldness is permanent. The hair loss is usually mild to moderate. No treatment is required if the person is comfortable with her appearance.
The only drug or medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat female-pattern baldness is minoxidil, used topically on the scalp. It may help hair to grow in 40% of the population, and in 90% it may slow the loss of hair . Treatment is expensive, however, costing about $600 per year for the recommended twice per day use. Hair loss recurs when its use is stopped.
Hair transplants consist of removal of tiny plugs of hair from areas where the hair is continuing to grow and placing them in areas that are balding . This can cause minor scarring in the donor areas, and carries a modest risk for skin infection. The procedure usually requires multiple transplantation sessions and may be expensive.
Suturing of hair pieces to the scalp is not recommended as it can result in scars, infections, and abscess of the scalp or brain. The use of hair implants made of artificial fibers was banned by the FDA because of the high rate of infection.
Hair weaving, hair pieces, or change of hair style may disguise the hair loss and improve the cosmetic appearance. This is often the least expensive and safest method of treating female-pattern baldness.
Prognosis:
Female pattern baldness is of cosmetic importance only and does not indicate a medical disorder, but it may affect self-esteem or cause anxiety . The hair loss is usually permanent.
Complications:
Complications are psychological stress and a loss of self esteem from change in the patient's appearance.
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if hair loss occurs and persists (there could be a treatable medical cause for the hair loss).
Also call if female-pattern baldness is present and there is a desire to treat the hair loss; or if hair loss is accompanied by itching , skin irritation, or other symptoms.
Male pattern baldness in a female: Male pattern baldness can develop in women, as evidenced by this receding hairline.
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