FEMALE PATTERN BALDNESS
Usually people think that hair loss occurs only in men. However, women represent 14 percent of hair transplantation cases. Society considers far more normal for men to suffer from alopecia than women and for that reason they suffer in silence. Although baldness is not a disease that can represent a threat for life, it affects the patient psychologically and emotionally.
As with men, women also may also suffer from androgenetic alopecia that makes the hair get thinner (miniaturized) in a diffuse pattern in all areas of the scalp. There are many factors that can be the cause of this problem, for example; ovarian cysts, pregnancy, menopause, and etc. DHT is also responsible of miniaturization in women.
Traction Alopecia
It is a condition caused due to trauma in determined areas of the scalp. Very tight ponytails, hair extensions and the usage of hairclips, elastics, etc are the main causes of this problem. If this type of alopecia is detected early, the hair will grow out again.
Telogen Effluvium
In a normal scalp, 15% of the hair is resting (telogen hair) and the rest of the hair that are actively growing is called anagen hair. When the anagen hair starts growing under the telogen hair, pushes it out. Sometimes there is shock in the system and the anagen hair can precipitate into the telogen ones. Its causes can be childbirth, some medications, surgery, accident, stress, jetlag, etc.
Diagnosis
The causes of alopecia are usually bond to genetics in cases with men, however in women there are many circumstances and for that reason it is necessary to apply different tests to discard some disorders:
- Total iron binding capacity (TIBC)
- Thyroid stimulating hormone (T3, T4, TSH)
- VDRL
- CBC
- In some cases scalp biopsy may also be necessary.
Treatment
As well as with men, there are medical treatment options for female hair loss as well. Women can use minoxidil, Nizoral/Ketokonazol, estrogen and progesterone pills in order to prevent the hair loss. Women must however avoid the usage of Finasteride due to the fact that there is a high risk of birth defects in male fetus.
