Female baldness, also called female alopecia, is hair loss that affects women. It is similar to male baldness, except that women may lose hair in a different pattern than men.

Hair loss in women is normal over the course of life, especially as they age. Up to two-thirds of women experience hair loss after menopause. Less than half of women over the age of 65 will have a full head of hair.

Female baldness is hereditary and is more common after menopause, so hormones are likely responsible.

How Does Female Baldness Occur?

In female baldness, the hair growth phase shortens, and it also takes longer for new hairs to start growing. The hair follicles (the cavity from which hair grows) shrink, leading to abnormal growth of strands, which tend to be thinner. This can result in hair that breaks easily.

It is normal for women to lose between 50 and 100 hairs per day, but those with female baldness may lose much more. In men, hair loss starts at the front of the head and recedes backward until baldness occurs.

Women lose strands from all sides of the head, starting at the part line and also from the temples, which can recede. They are also less likely to become completely bald, but may develop various patches on their scalp.

Types of Female Baldness

Doctors divide female baldness into three types:

  • Type I – is a small amount of thinning that begins around the part line.
  • Type II – involves widening of the part and increased thinning around it.
  • Type III – when a completely bald area starts to appear on the top of the scalp.

Can Genetics Cause Female Baldness?

Hair loss is passed down from parents to children, and many different genes are involved. It is possible to inherit these genes from both parents, and it is more likely for a woman to have female baldness if her mother, father, or other close relatives have had hair loss.

Causes of Female Baldness

Hair loss in women can occur through different types of female baldness, including the following reasons:

  • Hair breakage (due to the use of chemicals in treatments and activities/hairstyles that twist or pull the hair)
  • Certain skin diseases that lead to scarring of hair follicles; autoimmune diseases
  • Hormonal problems, such as too much testosterone or thyroid hormone; low vitamin B (biotin) or other vitamin deficiencies
  • Medications such as chemotherapy and beta blockers
  • Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease
  • Temporary hair loss after a major illness, surgery, or pregnancy

Diagnosis of Female Baldness

If you notice hair loss, it is important to consult a dermatologist. They will examine your scalp to determine the cause of the condition. Tests are generally not needed to diagnose female baldness.

If the specialist suspects another type of hair loss, they may perform a blood test to check hormone levels such as thyroid hormones, androgens, iron, or other substances that can affect hair growth.

Treatment for Female Baldness

If you have female baldness, you may be able to hide the hair loss at first by adopting a new hairstyle. Eventually, you may have too many thin areas on the top of your scalp to hide.

Early diagnosis is important, as it may allow for a treatment plan that can potentially minimize future hair loss. The treatment plan will likely involve one or more medications to treat baldness. The most common are Minoxidil or Spironolactone, but both have strong side effects.

Other Options to Treat Female Baldness

If iron levels are low, this can contribute to hair loss, so the doctor may prescribe an iron supplement. At this time, there is no evidence that taking iron will increase the amount of hair. Other supplements, such as biotin and folic acid, are also promoted to thicken hair.

One study showed that women developed thicker strands after taking omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, and antioxidants. However, it is best to check with your doctor before taking any supplement to grow hair.

Laser combs and helmets are also options for treating female baldness. They use light energy to stimulate hair growth. However, it is not yet possible to determine if this treatment is truly effective.

A hair transplant is a more permanent solution. During this procedure, the doctor removes a thin strip of hair from one part of the scalp and implants it in an area where baldness exists. The graft looks natural.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy may also be beneficial. It involves the “centrifugation” technique. A small volume of blood taken from the patient is used to isolate and concentrate growth factors, which are then injected back into the scalp to stimulate hair growth. Although promising, more research is needed.

As a last resort, it is possible to conceal female baldness by using a wig or a spray-on hair product.

Is There a Cure for Female Baldness?

Female baldness has no cure at present. An appropriate treatment can stop hair loss and potentially help regrow some of the lost strands.

Results may take up to 12 months to start to appear. Long-term treatment is required to keep the hair from falling out again.

Is It Possible to Prevent Female Baldness?

If it is a hereditary condition, it is not possible to prevent female baldness, but you can protect your hair from breakage and loss.

See Also: Hair Loss During Pregnancy – Causes and Treatment

Photos: Nikon D90