Female Baldness
The treatment’s evaluation will be personalized by the physician in charge according to the class of alopecia. The causes of female alopecia are more complex than those of male alopecia and they have to be looked into.
Female Androgenetic Alopecia (FAGA)
It is becoming a more frequent clinic problem in women every day. . At present it is said that 25% of white females present FAGA at the age of 35-45 and a 35-40% present FAGA at around 50. This is important taking into account that hair loss has a bigger psychological impact on women than on men.
FEMALE BALDNESS
Female alopecia is caused by a genetic predisposition of the hair follicle with normal levels or with mild or severe androgen level growth.
One of the characteristics of FAGA is that it starts by diffuse hair loss in the parietal and vertical frontal region, in the crown, not involving the frontal hairline. Women do not suffer from total alopecia but their hair grows smaller in diameter, becomes thinner, shorter, making it possible to see the scalp; this is what Ludwig called “Miniaturization”.
Ludwig’s grades::
FAGA 1 (mild)FAGA 2 (moderate)FAGA 3 (severe)
Menopause:
After menopause 20% of women suffer from significant hair loss as a consequence of a decrease in female hormones. Then testosterone that already exists at normal levels becomes present together with a genetic predisposition. These have an impact on women that may result in low self-esteem and depression.
Polycystic Ovary (multiple cysts in the ovaries): This disorder presents high androgenetic hormone levels that produce among other consequences, androgenetic alopecia; already explained above.
The use of hormones such as testosterone, progesterone; Suprarenal disorder; Hypophisis disorder:
These cause an excessive production of masculinizing steroids (virilization). A consequence is alopecia and excessive hair growth and it is frequent after menopause and in people who take anabolic drugs.
Hepatopathies:
There may be an alteration in the production of proteins transporting sexual hormones, increasing the quantity of free testosterone with an increase in the conversion process of this hormone into DHT that produces androgenetic alopecia.
Thyroid disorder: An excessive increase of thyroid hormone levels (hyperthyroidism) as well as a reduction of thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism) may cause alopecia. Hair loss associated to a thyroid disease may be reverted with an appropriate treatment.
Idiopathic: Without apparent cause, with normal hormonal levels but with genetic predisposition.
Successful therapy depends on directing a treatment at the underlying causes of hair loss and at the same time getting the appropriate medical treatment prescribed by specialists.
