FEMALE HAIR LOSS
female hair loss occurs in more than one pattern.
Unlike hair loss in men, female scalp hair loss may commonly begin at any age through 50 or later, 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, if there has been a recent event such as pregnancy or illness that may be associated with temporary hair thinning.
Ludwig Classification
In women as in men, the most likely cause of scalp hair loss is androgenetic alopecia-an inherited sensitivity to the effects of androgens (male hormones) on scalps hair follicles. However, women with hair loss due to this cause usually do not develop true baldness in the patterns that occur in men-for example, women rarely develop the "cue-ball" appearance often seen in male-pattern androgenetic alopecia. Women often notice increased hair loss when there is a sudden drop in estrogens: post-partum, after stopping the Pill, and at the onset of menopause. It is estimated that a woman may lose as much as 20% of her hair at menopause. Both post-partum and menopausal hair loss, however, are not classified as androgenic alopecia, but as "endocrine alopecia," which should really be called "estrogen-withdrawal alopecia."
It is important to note that female pattern hair loss can begin as early as the late teens to early 20s in women who have experienced early puberty. If left untreated, this hair loss associated with early puberty can progress to more advanced hair loss if it is left untreated.
Treatment for hair loss in women is more limited than men. Drugs like Propecia (Finasteride) are not effective for women and can cause birth defects. Rogaine and Laser Hair Therapy can be very effective in select cases as well as hair transplant surgery.
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