The most common form of hair loss in women is female pattern baldness, also known as female androgenetic alopecia. Similar to the male version of hair loss, balding is caused by androgenetic hormones. In addition to androgenetic alopecia, hair loss in women might be caused by scalp scarring from injury or disease, traction alopecia due to injury from tight braiding or corn-rowing of the hair as well as trichotillomania (compulsive hair plucking).
Women who experience hair loss might find that their hair comes out in clumps when it is washed or brushed, or they may wake up to find clumps of hair that has fallen out during sleep. As soon as this happens, a visit to a hair loss clinic should be considered to identify the type of hair loss and determine the best course of treatment. Doctors will assess the patient and then work out a suitable women’s hair loss treatment, all the while taking the following factors into consideration:
- What hairstyles has the patient been using to downplay their thinning hair?
- What hairstyles would the patient try after their treatment?
- Would the patient change her hairstyle, curl or color to increase the treatment’s benefits?
- Does the patient want a full head of hair that may require hair weaving or hair extenders?
- Does the patient want to be able to swim or exercise without worrying about her hair?
- What hair treatment is best for the patient and is transplantation an option?
Women tend to be extremely pro-active about their health – eating habits, weight control and overall fitness are monitored carefully, and hair loss should be no different. Early identification and treatment of hair loss in women is essential to ensure speedy treatment and restoration, so if you are showing symptoms of female hair loss, make sure that you visit your doctor or hair clinic as soon as possible to get the best advice on hair transplant options.
