The Typical Pattern of Female-Pattern Hair Loss (FPB)

Hair loss in women is most often more complex than hair loss in men. Women’s hair loss can occur for a variety reasons other than female-pattern baldness. This is not to say that men don’t have other causes of hair loss; but research shows that more than ninety percent of hair loss in men is from male pattern baldness.

Some of the other causes of women’s hair loss include temporary shedding of hair (telogen effluvium), breaking of hair (from such things as styling treatments, and twisting or pulling of hair); technically this is not really hair loss but hair damage. Also hair loss can occur in patchy areas of total hair loss (alopecia areata--an immune disorder causing temporary hair loss), oral medications, as well as certain skin diseases.

Female-pattern baldness is different than that of male pattern baldness. The hair most often thins all over the head, but the frontal hairline is maintained. There may be a moderate loss of hair on the crown, but this rarely progresses to total or near baldness as it may in men.

Female-pattern baldness hair loss is permanent. The hair loss is usually mild to moderate. No treatment is required if the person is comfortable with her appearance. Today, most female patients afflicted with hair loss opt for treatment. FPB can be treated with medication or hair restoration.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved some drugs to treat female-pattern baldness. It is minoxidil, used topically on the scalp. It may help hair to grow in 40% of the population, and in 90% it may slow the loss of hair. Hair loss recurs when its use is stopped.

Hair loss can be hereditary or caused by changes in hormones or other stressors. In this blog Parsa Mohebi, MD Reviews - Five Step Mangement of Hair Loss in Women

Failure to grow a new hair is closely linked with genetic predisposition, aging, and levels of endocrine hormones. Changes in the levels of the androgens can affect hair production. For example, after the hormonal changes of menopause, many women find that the hair on the head is thinned, while facial hair is coarser. Although new hair is not produced, the follicle remains alive, suggesting the possibility of new hair growth.

Genetic hair loss and molt or increased hair shedding (chronic telogen effluvium), accounts for the majority of all hair loss in women. Women are more likely to thin diffusely from behind the front hairline to the crown. Unlike men who tend to lose a lot of hair in particular areas, like the temples and crown - Male pattern baldness.

Dr. Mohebi is the medicals director of US Hair Restoration with offices throughout California including in most major cities. US Hair Restorations is opening its newest hair transplant offices in Bakersfield, California.