Alopecia, Female Pattern
Alopecia, Female Pattern Causes
When hair falls out but new hair does not grow in its place is called baldness. It is not well understood as to the cause of the failure to grow new hair in female pattern baldness, but it is associated with aging, levels of endocrine hormones (particularly androgens, the male sex hormones) and genetic predisposition. As an example, many women find that the hair on the head is thinned, white facial hair is coarser after hormonal changes of menopause. It is because changes in the levels of androgens can affect hair production. Follicles may remain alive, suggesting the possibility of new hair growth. Some of the possible reasons why hair loss can occur in women are iron deficiency, temporary shedding of hair (telogen effluvium), vitamin deficiency, patchy areas of total hair loss, medications, breaking of hair and certain skin diseases.
Alopecia, Female Pattern Definition
The medical term for hair loss is called alopecia. Female alopecia is often characterized as being distressing and common. Caused by hormones, genes and aging, female pattern baldness involves a typical patter of loss of hair in women.
Alopecia, Female Pattern Diagnosis
The appearance of hair loss and the ruling out other causes of hair loss are the usual bases of diagnosing female pattern baldness.
Alopecia, Female Pattern Symptoms and Signs
The signs and symptoms of female alopecia include hair loss at the crown or hairline, from mild to moderate and the thinning of hair over the entire head.
Alopecia, Female Pattern Treatment
From mild to moderate, the hair loss of female pattern baldness is permanent and no treat is required if the individual is comfortable with her appearance. Minoxidil, used on the scalp is the only drug medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat female pattern balness, as it may help hair gronw in 20% to 25% of the female population. The FDA banned the use of hair transplants that are made of artificial fibers because of the high rate of infection.