Female Pattern Baldness (Androgenetic Alopecia): Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

Female pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is a common genetic condition characterised by hair thinning and gradual hair loss in women. In most cases, up to 50% of women deal with hair loss by the age of 50, and the key reasons are either genetic, hormonal, or environmental, generally triggered after puberty.

Classification of Female Pattern Baldness

On average, it is normal to lose between 100 and 200 strands of hair per day. More than this amount would be considered abnormal levels of hair loss. The NHS recorded approximately 6.5 million men and 8 million women in the UK who are affected by hair loss.

To measure female pattern hair loss at certain degrees, we can use the Ludwig scale. Female pattern baldness develops gradually over time, and as it progresses, the symptoms often become more pronounced. It is therefore essential to know your stage to choose the best possible treatments.

How does female pattern baldness appear?

The signs and degree of female pattern baldness can differ from one person to another, but the most common things to search for are:

• Thinning Hair: The primary symptom is that hair on the scalp thins out gradually. Women affected by female pattern baldness typically notice that their hair is thinner and lacks the fullness it once had. 
• Widening Part Line: Another common indication is that the part line gets wider. When more hair is lost in a particular area, the parting may become wider and clearer, revealing the scalp more noticeably when styling or parting the hair.

Female pattern hair loss according to the Ludwig scale

Stage 1

At this stage, mild thinning is present, mainly on the top of the scalp or in the hair’s central parting.

Stage 2

At this stage, moderate thinning is present, with noticeable widening of the hair’s parting and a reduction in hair volume.

Stage 3

At this stage, the advancing thinning and hair loss are present, accompanied by a much more transparent appearance on the top of the scalp.

How does female pattern baldness affect the body?

Female pattern hair loss can have a significant psychological impact on individuals, leading to anxiety, depression, decreased self-esteem, and social withdrawal. 

It is essential to address the psychological impact of hair loss as part of a comprehensive treatment and management plan. Reaching out for help from friends, family, or specialists, such as The Treatment Rooms London, can be beneficial, as we recognise that hair loss can have a significant impact on quality of life.

What Causes Female Pattern Hair Loss?

Genetics and Hormonal Changes

Genetics play a large part in female pattern hair loss, so understanding your family tree is crucial to determining whether or not this condition will be passed down to you.
While family history matters, issues such as stress, hormonal changes, and inadequate nutrition can also trigger the genes associated with hair loss.

Hormonal Imbalances

Hormonal changes seen during puberty, pregnancy and menopause can create chemical imbalances within the body, which trigger hair loss. Like men, women’s bodies produce sex hormones known as ‘androgens’, such as testosterone. 

An increase in androgens may lead to destruction of hair follicles and loss over time. Both male pattern and female pattern hair loss are scientifically known as ‘androgenetic alopecia’ due to this.

Ageing

Ageing causes hormonal shifts within a woman’s body, which can lead to hair loss. Additionally, with time and age, hair follicles naturally become weaker and thinner as a natural part of the ageing process, ultimately leading to eventual hair loss. 

Medical conditions

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): This condition is characterised by excess androgen production, leading to body changes such as hair loss, excessive hair growth, weight gain and infertility. 

Thyroid Conditions: Thyroid hormones, produced by the butterfly-shaped gland at the front of your neck, are key for your body’s metabolism, as well as the control of hair growth. Both an underactive and an overactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism) can disturb the body’s metabolic balance and lead to hair loss.

Infections: Bacterial, fungal, and viral infections that affect hair follicles and the scalp can cause inflammation, leading to hair loss and even scarring. 

Lifestyle Factors

Other factors, such as stress, nutritional deficiencies, certain medications, and hairstyles or styling practices that put excessive tension on the hair follicles, can all contribute to hair loss in women.

Stress: Stress can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle, leading to hair loss.

Nutritional deficiencies: Deficiencies in vitamins such as D, B12, folate, and zinc, as well as other essential minerals, can significantly impact hair growth and contribute to hair loss. 

Medications: Certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs, can cause hair loss as a side effect.

Damaging Hairstyles: Harsh treatments, tight braids, or ponytails can put excessive tension on hair follicles, leading to hair loss.

Hair loss can be complex with multiple contributing factors. It is essential to consult a healthcare professional if you are experiencing hair loss to determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Diagnosis & Management

To diagnose female pattern baldness, specialists typically assess the condition using specific procedures.

• Record any health conditions in the patient’s background and note if family members have experienced hair loss.
• Check the scalp through a physical examination.
• Run additional tests to ensure underlying health issues do not cause hair loss.
• Taking a scalp biopsy involves taking a small sample of skin and hair from the affected area of the scalp and examining it under a microscope.
• Trichograms: A trichogram involves taking between 50 and 100 hairs from the scalp and analysing them under the microscope. This test enables the assessment of the number of hairs in each phase of the hair cycle (anagen, catagen, or telogen).

Treatment Options

There are numerous treatments available on the market for female pattern hair loss, including both medical and surgical options, as well as lifestyle changes to enhance overall health and hair health. 

Lifestyle: 

• Supplementing Nutritional Deficiencies: Addressing nutritional deficiencies can significantly contribute to healthy hair growth. Certain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, as well as zinc and iron, play a crucial role in maintaining healthy hair, skin, and muscle tissue. Please first consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements.
• Reduce stress: Stress can impact our sleep, eating patterns, and hormones, which may lead to higher levels of androgens that contribute to hair loss. High levels of physical or emotional stress can cause a temporary form of hair loss known as ‘telogen effluvium’. Consider trying relaxation techniques, such as meditation, exercise, or speaking with a therapist, to manage stress.   
• Avoid physical hair damage: Tight ponytails, cornrows, braids, and anything else that draws on the small hairs that make up your hairline can cause hair loss. Avoid using hair tools that generate high heat and harsh chemicals, as they can cause brittle and breakable strands.
  Maintaining strong and clean hair can help prevent breakage and premature shedding. For more information on the best hair care routines, click here. 
• Wigs and Hair Systems: To cover up in a more straightforward fashion, wigs and hair systems can help conceal hair loss and offer an instant boost of confidence.

Medical:

Minoxidil is typically the first-line treatment for female pattern hair loss. This medication helps increase blood flow (including the delivery of nutrients and oxygen) to hair follicles, which can boost hair growth. It is an over-the-counter medication that can be applied directly to the affected area of the scalp. It is often sold in liquid or foam form, and is available in two strengths: 2% and 5%. 

Finasteride: While effective, this alternative hair loss medication is only approved for use in certain women, for example, those beyond childbearing age, due to its risk of birth defects.  Finasteride works by blocking damage to hair follicles caused by androgens.

Spironolactone: Spironolactone, commonly used as a medication to lower blood pressure and reduce water retention, can also lower androgen levels and treat both female pattern hair loss and hirsutism (excessive body hair growth).

Oral Contraceptive Pills: Some research shows that taking birth control pills can help decrease heightened androgen levels and slow how fast hair falls out—an anti-androgen drug in combination with oral contraceptives can help treat PCOS-related hair loss.

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT): Low-level laser therapy, also known as red light therapy or cold laser therapy, is a non-invasive treatment option. Light has been shown to stimulate hair growth and increase density in both men and women. 

Surgical: 

Platelet-rich plasma is an invasive procedure that involves taking blood samples from the body, processing them to concentrate platelets and growth factors, and injecting the concentrated solution back into the scalp to potentially stimulate hair growth. 

Hair Transplant Surgery: Hair transplant surgery involves physically transplanting hair from one part of the scalp, typically the back and sides, to another part to restore density and fullness. This procedure can be performed on both men and women with significant hair loss. 

Conclusion

Female pattern hair loss is a common condition that can have a significant impact on a woman’s physical and emotional well-being. It is essential to consult your healthcare provider if you notice hair loss, skin infections, or other symptoms, so that you can maintain your health and determine the most suitable treatment options for you.

At The Treatment Rooms London, medical and surgical management of hair loss is our speciality, and we would be more than happy to assist you in your hair restoration journey. 

Get in Touch

Don’t wait to reclaim your confidence—reserve your free consultation with our London-based hair transplant clinic today, or book at our FUE hair transplant clinic in Oxford. We’re happy to see clients from Brighton and Bristol as well.