Hair Loss in Women
There are a number of non-scarring alopecias. As the name implies, they are not associated with scarring and so do not permanently destroy the hair follicle. In other words, the hair is physically capable of regrowing. The two most common examples of non-scarring alopecia are androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium.
Androgenetic Alopecia in Women
Androgenetic alopecia happens when a person's hormones (androgens) cause genetically sensitive follicles to shrink and eventually shed their hair. This is essentially the same hair loss that men often experience. Although such hair loss is usually less pronounced in women, it tends to be more diffuse. It usually presents as mild to moderate thinning throughout the entire top of the scalp. Unlike in men, it rarely causes the frontal hairline to recede in women.
Other Causes Worth Checking
For some patients with general, nonspecific hair loss, it's as simple as correcting underlying anemia or even thyroid dysfunction. Blood tests may be ordered which can show these deficiencies and, once corrected, the hair loss should stop. See our note on iron and hair loss for more on iron's role.
For suspected androgenetic alopecia, the primary question is whether the loss is due to excessive hormone production or simply genetic predisposition. Signs that a woman might be having excessive hormone production include irregular menstrual cycles or excessive hair growth on the face, chest, or arms.
On the other hand, if a patient tells us that other women in the family have had similar hair loss, then genetics alone are likely to blame. Keep in mind that such predispositions can seemingly "skip" generations. So even if no other related females are known to have hair loss, it still may very well be a genetic problem.
Treatment Options for Female Hair Loss
The treatment of androgenetic alopecia in females is difficult. Sometimes hormone-blocking pills can be used, but their effectiveness isn't as consistent as that seen in men. Minoxidil (name brand Rogaine®) is a liquid medication that can be applied daily to the scalp. It's fairly effective if used consistently, though users should expect to wait at least 4–6 months before results can be seen.
Diagnosis of telogen effluvium is more likely in those who have a history of significant recent or ongoing stress. The nice thing about telogen effluvium is that it nearly always resolves completely on its own once the stressful event has passed. In fact, for many patients with telogen effluvium, a sudden increase in hair loss is actually caused by new hair growth "pushing out" the older dormant hairs.
Rarely, some patients will have a chronic form of telogen effluvium — especially if stress or other health issues are ongoing. For these patients, hormone-blocking medications won't help since hormones aren't the underlying cause of the problem. Those affected by chronic telogen effluvium should talk to their dermatologist about available treatment options.
