Androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss found in women. Androgenetic Alopecia is also known as female pattern alopecia, or female pattern baldness. Alopecia does not have to mean complete hair loss, it may also mean hair thinning generally over the top and front of the head. This condition is most commonly seen after menopause, but affects nearly one third of all women who are susceptible to it.
Some excess hair loss may be noticed, but generally female pattern hair loss has more to do with gradual thinning. Normal hair shedding is between 100 and 125 hairs per day; so many women initially visit a dermatologist when their hair loss exceeds that number. When the affected hair is shed, generally the root grows a much shorter hair in its place, so eventually it becomes impossible to see, like peach-fuzz.
This condition may begin as early as puberty, and there are often hormonal imbalances involved. Many women do not realize that hair loss can also occur following pregnancy, or after discontinuing birth control. Physical and psychological stress to the body may also cause hair loss. These types of hair loss are known as Telogen Effluvium, and tend to be temporary more often than not. Hair loss from one of these events may be delayed up to several months, and it can take up to eight months to re-grow the lost hair.
Typically, treatment will begin with Rogaine, the only currently FDA approved medication that is available for female hair loss. The other popular medication for hair loss, Propecia, does not work in women at all. Aldactone pills may also help women, but the treatment tends to take many months before any improvement can be seen. Women may have luck with Hormone replacement pills like Prempro, but they tend to work better post-menopause. Hair transplant surgeons may also be able to achieve great results with their follicular unit, and minigraft techniques, but they require you to be a qualified candidate, and to have realistic expectations at all time.
Many treatments fail, or do not produce the desired effect. In this case, you may consider using perms, dyes and other cosmetic options to temporarily give a fuller appearance to the hair, until you can try another treatment. Some salons actually do specialize in hair additions, so it may be worth consulting with a skilled hair specialist.
