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Signs of Balding in Women

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is commonly referred to as female-pattern balding. It is a form of hair loss that affects men and women and is caused by the presence of androgens found in some individuals. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, female-pattern balding affects 20 million women. Baldness occurs when hair falls out but new hair does not grow in its place.

  1. Signs

    • Unlike in male-pattern baldness, females can experience the thinning and eventual loss of hair anywhere on the scalp, with the possible exception of along the frontal hairline. There may be considerable hair loss on the crown or toward the back of the scalp, but it rarely advances to total or near baldness as it does in men. An early sign of female-pattern balding is when a significant amount of hair is removed as a result of brushing. That sign is not very obvious, however, because a certain amount of hair is often lost during brushing and a woman may not see that as reason for concern. Also, when female-pattern baldness occurs, thick, long and healthy hair with great pigmentation becomes replaced with short, thin and wispy hair with less pigmentation, until finally even that hair disappears permanently.

    Causes

    • Androgenetic alopecia is a genetically determined condition. The androgen hormone, testosterone, is needed for progression of the disorder. Some women are more sensitive to the androgen hormone than others. That sensitivity could cause hair loss. Heredity plays a major factor in the disease, and androgenetic alopecia can be inherited from one or both parents.

    Testing

    • Before diagnosis, a dermatologist or other physician determines such crucial factors as the duration and pattern of hair loss, if the hair is broken or removed from the roots, and if thinning has progressed. Diet, medications, medical history and family history are other important factors. A skin biopsy may be used to diagnose medical disorders that cause loss of hair.

    Treatment

    • The hair loss of female-pattern baldness may range from mild to moderate, and is permanent. No treatment is necessary if the woman chooses to let the condition progress naturally. If she chooses to have treatment, minoxidil is available without prescription. Minoxidil is the only drug or medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of female-pattern balding. Hair transplantation is another treatment option. When hair loss is significant, a woman may choose to wear a wig.

    Prevention

    • Female-pattern baldness does not indicate a medical disorder. Prevention of female-pattern balding is nonexistent.

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