Hair Loss on Women: Looking at the Causes of Female Pattern Baldness
One of the most romanticized images of women is of her having long flowing hair. Many a tale had been woven along these lines – take for example Rapunzel and her rope-like tresses. As the situation stands, it is already difficult for women to keep up with the standards of modern beauty. Imagine how difficult it would be if the women is experiencing hair loss problems.
We are not talking about the occasional hair fall problems but the persistent and prevalent hair loss that could lead to baldness in several portions of the head. Since it is very rare for women to go completely bald, Female Pattern Baldness (FPB) is the worst kind of hair loss problem for them.
The Hair Loss Curse
Female pattern baldness is a medical condition involving a typical pattern of hair loss in women. This is usually caused by genes, hormones and aging. It generally occurs after menopause, although in some genetically predisposed women, it may show earlier. You will know if you are at risk for FPB if your mother and grandmothers have experienced hair loss or had thinning hair problems.
In FPB, hair follicles start to progressively shrink until they stop functioning or are only capable of producing fine strands of hair. At a certain point in time, no new hair is produced but the hair follicles are still alive. This makes it possible for hair to regrow, given the right environment. Women with this condition usually show widespread hair loss across their scalp instead of the temples and the top of the head as men do. The crown may have a mild to moderate hair loss but unlike in men, it very rarely results to total or near baldness.
Diagnosing FPB is usually based on the hair loss pattern. Your doctor needs to do some exams and test to rule out other possible serious medical problems. Female pattern baldness is permanent although the effects are usually mild. It responds favorably to medical treatment, especially with Minoxidil, the only FDA-approved drug medication for hair loss. A percent concentration in a topical solution is the recommended dosage for women. This drug helps 20 to 25 percent of female patients regrow their hair, while it may stop or slow hair loss in most others.
Another possible solution for Female Pattern Baldness is hair transplant. In this procedure, hair follicles from areas where they abound are transplanted to affected areas. A patient may need several sessions to complete the treatment.
While Female pattern baldness is mostly considered as a cosmetic problem and pose no particular health risk, it may greatly affect a woman’s self esteem and confidence. The effects may be so horrifying emotionally that it could lead to anxiety and stress. If you really want an effective way to treat your hair loss problems, you can try a combination of herbal supplements and topical solutions. A complementary system would help your hair follicles recover their lost vigor in producing hair. You apply the topical solution and gently massage it on the affected areas on your scalp in the morning and in the evening while you take the pills.
Remember that you can get the best results if you have yourself treated as soon as possible. With early treatment, you can regain your beautiful hair fast.
Author Bio: Kristy is a professional stylist and writer. Need help choosing a new hair iron? Make sure to check out the best tourmaline ceramic hair iron. Read reviews on professional irons at http://hairiron.net
Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: hair care, hair loss, female hair loss, balding, women hair loss