Hair Loss in Women - Female Androgenetic Alopecia

Similar to male pattern Androgenetic Alopecia, hair loss in women may begin soon after puberty. These young women experience hair thinning, in general, in the front and top regions of the scalp. In the beginning only a widening part in the hair is visible and hair with less volume and slow growth may be noticed. Later a certain “transparency” of the hair can be seen, allowing you to see the contours of the head, through the hair. The hair becomes finer, more fragile, breaks more easily, and also lighter in color. In female androgenetic alopecia, the frontline is generally spared, as well as the back of the head, the so-called occipital region. The explanation for certain areas being affected by hair loss, and others not, can be found in the non-uniform presence of the enzyme 5-alfa-reductase in the scalp, which causes balding, and aromatase, which protects the hairs. Although some women have hormonal disorders which lead to hair loss, in most cases, the hormonal levels are normal. In these cases hair loss may be explained by a high sensitivity to the hormonal receptors (located within each hair follicle) to male hormones. These are normally produced by women and may cause hair loss even at normal levels. To better understand androgenetic hair loss, we suggest you read the following topic:

When is it time to consider a hair transplant?

A hair transplant is recommended for more advanced cases (Grade II and III) and always concurrently with clinical treatment to decelerate the evolution of hair loss, in other words, the transplant will increase hair volume and clinical treatment will stabilize hair loss.

In these cases, unlike hair loss in men, one should further investigate the causes and only proceed with surgery when the clinical possibilities have been attempted unsuccessfully, or in the following cases:

- repair cases: burns, aesthetic surgery, radiotherapy, etc. (see other applications)

- advanced cases in which the extent of the thinning already merits a transplant.

Hair loss in women occurs in a more subtle way and women are able to disguise it with different hair styles. It may affect only the frontal region or in a more generalized way, throughout the scalp. Only a few women seek a surgical solution (hair transplant) as many women think that hair transplants are only for men. Hair loss in women is often accompanied by serious psychological consequences, not only for being unaesthetic, but also for not being socially accepted in women.

Contrary to what occurs in men, where nearly all cases of balding have genetic origin, the cases of hair loss in women are more complex. Women menstruate, become pregnant, take birth control pills and also frequently diet. All of these things have a great influence on hair. Even stress, which makes everything worse, may worsen hair loss. In contrast, a life with a healthy dose of leisure and physical activity, is, without doubt, beneficial, not only for your hair, but for your whole self. Diet is also a fundamental factor: B vitamins (B-complex), oligo elements with Zinc or Copper and also iron are very important. Hair is basically keratin, which is a protein. Therefore, diets that are low in proteins or have a low biological value, common in those without medical supervision, negatively affect, and greatly so, the vitality of hair.

In female androgenetic alopecia (hair loss of genetic origin), the greatest cause of hair loss in women, the clinical situation is more diffuse and less evident than in men. Diagnosis may happen late or be wrong, because many times there are other associated disorders. In women hormonal alterations have a great impact on hair. Besides sex hormones that change during pregnancy, or use of hormonal contraception, other hormones such as those of the thyroid or supra-kidney glands, may influence hair loss. These other hormones may lead to cases of diffuse hair loss, generically called female diffuse alopecia. Each of these cases has a distinct treatment and should be differentiated by their background, clinical and microscopic exam, as well as laboratory exams.