Hair loss is a common issue that is experienced by women of different age groups. The problem aggravates after menopause, and women experience extreme hair loss, this condition is known as hair thinning. Hair loss not only differs in terms of severity, but it differs in types as well. Female pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is a condition that affects women of different age groups; it is especially common amongst women who have reached menopause. This condition can be triggered by a myriad of factors, of which, most of them are unavoidable.
Thinning of hair starts to look prominent over time, and it can have some serious impact on one’s confidence level. But luckily enough, there are a couple of ways to deal with female pattern baldness. Treating this condition at the right time might also help you regrow your hair. Hence, as soon as you notice that you’re dealing with a hair thinning condition, make it a point to visit a dermatologist to get this problem treated.
Here’s everything you need to know about this hair condition.
Common causes of female pattern baldness
Female pattern baldness can happen due to a plethora of reasons. Of the factors that contribute to female pattern hair loss, genetics play a huge role and are majorly responsible for this hair condition. Additionally, the presence of excess male hormones called androgens, menopause, certain lifestyle habits (smoking, drinking), some endocrine conditions can contribute to this problem and make the matter worse.
Age groups affected by female pattern hair loss
People usually experience hair loss after the onset of adrenarche, however, it can precede pubarche and menarche in some cases. People suffering from this condition might not be able to notice any difference in their hair initially; however, continuous or intermittent hair shedding eventually results in female pattern baldness, leading to a reduction in hair volume.
How is this condition diagnosed?
This condition can be diagnosed in different ways. The most common way to diagnose this condition is clinical, however, there’s also an advanced way to diagnose this condition, and it is done using diagnostic tools like trichoscopy. A physical and history examination helps to detect signs of hyperandrogenism, which includes ovarian abnormalities, acne, infertility, hirsutism, and menstrual irregularities. If you have even a slight doubt that you are dealing with FPHL, then you should seek a dermatologist’s help at the earliest.
Treatments for female pattern baldness
There are two different methods to treat female pattern hair loss- topical and systemic drugs.
Topical
One of the most effective ways to deal with hair loss in women is by using minoxidil. It helps to stimulate hair growth and increases blood supply around the hair follicles. Using this medication regularly for about 3 to 6 months can show some improvement. However, you will have to be pretty careful while applying minoxidil, or else it can result in increased hair growth on the face. During the first few months of using this treatment, patients might experience extreme hair loss, which would mean that this method has started to work.
Systemic drugs
If topical treatment isn’t proving to be effective or you are looking for an alternate option, then intake of systemic drugs is another way to deal with hair thinning. There can be a few adverse effects of these drugs- fatigue, tender breasts, irregular periods, spotting are some of the side effects associated with oral drugs.
Tips to avoid female pattern baldness
People dealing with female pattern baldness have lower levels of iron as opposed to normal people. In addition to being physically active, you should keep your diet healthy and make sure to include low carbohydrate and protein-rich foods in your diet. Furthermore, erratic sleep schedules, heavy weight, busy schedules can result in hormonal imbalance. Caffeine-based shampoos are known to help with this condition. Also, you should refrain from exposing your hair to chemicals if you are dealing with this condition or even suspect developing it.
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