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[F161]Female Pattern Hair Loss

by Lachlan Walker, Lac

Female-Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL), also known as Androgenetic alopecia, occurs when genes trigger a sensitivity to a class of hormones called androgens e.g., testosterone, which causes hair follicles to shrink. Women with FPHL generally maintain a frontal hairline while experiencing a diffuse thinning of the hair over the top of the head or crown.

About Female Pattern hair Loss

Some degree of hair thinning is experienced by 50 percent of women by 50 years of age. Women who experience FPHL usually begin to notice initial hair thinning in their 20's and 30's. The signs can become more noticeable in these women at approximately 40 years of age and particularly after menopause. FPHL differs from Alopecia Areata where well defined bald patches occur.

In both male and Female-Pattern Hair Loss, shrinking follicles (the sheath that surrounds the root of a hair) produce thinner hair. There is a gradual transition from large, thick, coloured hairs to thinner, shorter hairs and finally to short, wispy, non-coloured hairs in the involved areas. As the condition progresses the patient may notice an increase in hair shedding. Women with FPHL generally lose hair diffusely over the crown. This produces a gradual thinning of the hair rather than an area of marked baldness. The frontal hairline is often preserved in women with FPHL.

Cause of Female Pattern hair Loss

There is often a family history of FPHL. The condition is dependent on androgens (male hormones), however, a blood test will often show that a woman with FPHL has normal levels of circulating androgens. Excessive shedding of hair may also be associated with various illnesses and drug treatments, rapid weight loss, anaemia, stress or pregnancy. If a woman with FPHL is showing other signs of androgen excess such as increased body hair, deepening of the voice and/or irregular or absent menstruation, a full medical examination is required to exclude an androgen-secreting tumour.

Health Care

Always consult your Doctor for the diagnosis and treatment of FPHL. Ask your Doctor about the latest treatments available for this condition. In contrast to Androgenetic Alopecia in men, an evaluation of this condition in women should include medical tests to rule out other causes that may mimic FPHL. A complete blood cell count and measurement of thyroid hormones and iron levels are useful but rarely reveal abnormalities. Hormonal studies are not indicated unless other signs of excessive androgens are present

The treatment options for androgenetic alopecia are not very successful. Minoxidil (Regaine), applied to the scalp, may slow hair loss or stimulate fine regrowth in a minority of cases. It must be used for 4 to 6 months before any results are seen, and new hair growth is generally poor. When therapy is discontinued, the new growth soon falls out, and the woman returns to her pretreatment condition. Surgical treatment of alopecia includes hair transplantation (macrografting and micrografting) and various forms of scalp surgery.

Vitamins, Minerals & Herbs

Jojoba Oil is used in preparations designed to stimulate hair growth and rejuvenation. Biotin, one of the B Group Vitamins, has been used for this condition. Vitamin B3 is thought to increase blood supply to the head. Zinc - Supplementation with high dose zinc has been shown to reduce hair loss in some people. It may be worth considering zinc supplementation in cases of patchy or total hair loss. Iron - If anaemia is the cause of FPHL then consider taking an iron supplement. A normal blood count does not exclude iron deficiency as a cause of hair loss. Ferritin levels may be normal despite an iron deficiency.

Saw Palmetto - A clinical trial indicates that the herb saw palmetto, taken in adequate doses, helps to block the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. This action may result in an improved outcome for women with FPHL. Catechins are molecules found in green tea that may be beneficial in reducing the severity of FPHL by influencing circulating levels of hormones. Green tea has been associated with higher levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SBHG). Increased SBHG may be of help in reducing the effects of FPHL. One cup of green tea contains approximately 100 mg of catechins. A therapeutic dose of catechins is 300 mg daily. Alternatively, capsules of green tea are available.

There exists a widespread connotation that hair loss is greatly prevalent among males. But this connotation could be defied with the fact that even a good number of women suffer from hair loss. Although it's not that easy to ascertain exact causes of hair loss among women there are two or three popular reasons attributed to hair loss among them.

Despite widespread hair loss among women, very rarely they happen to be bald. Even women don't show complete disappearance of hairs from one particular part of scalp that usually happens with males. A woman normally experiences evenly distributed hair loss from scalp that means hairs fall from all parts of scalps, most likely in equal proportion.

Some of the common causes of female hair loss are:

Androgenetic Alopacea

It is a phenomenon inside the female body in which testosterone (male hormone), which is present in women in dormant state, undergoes chemical reactions to form DHT. This DHT affects hair follicles, their normal functioning, hair regeneration and growth, resulting in hair loss and female baldness in the later stages. However female hormones resist its effect to prevent complete baldness.

Alopacea Areata

It is an uneven type of hair loss that may be due to various deficiencies in the body. These deficiencies could be due to lesser intake of required nutrients and vitamins. As less than required intake of essential body minerals and vitamins weakens immune system. With a weakened immune system hair follicles are less likely to fight with disrupting factors giving a way to temporary follicle dysfunction. It in turn results in hair loss.

Telogen Effluvium

This is a condition in which women suffer hair loss due to unexpected shock or stress and extreme emotional imbalances. Usually an unanticipated stress situation gives way to short term depression that adversely affects hair. In that period sharp hair loss is witnessed. Most often women conceiving baby for the first time experiences this type of hair fall. A woman fired from work place or divorce could be other reasons of Telogen Effluvium.

These three are primary reasons of hair loss in women. Apart from that a woman may experience hair loss due to genetic causes as well as some medications may also result in hair loss as a side effect.

Article Source : Pg. 8

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Both Lachlan Walker & Kanishkm are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Lachlan Walker has sinced written about articles on various topics from Laptops, Lose Weight and Beauty Tips. Lachlan Walker has been promoting the benefits of herbal and alternative treatments and products such as through his herbal review websites such as. Lachlan Walker's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.

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