This hair loss article provides independent and general information on female hair loss. Ranging from its possible reasons/causes (categories and types of baldness), tips, to solutions for women with female pattern baldness, also known as alopecia are explained below.


 Important note

First step, do a throughout research before taking any measure to counteract female hair loss. This means read information on hair loss from various resources, ask questions in diverse related forums, and draw your own conclusions. Also, we strongly advise that you contact your physician and/or medical specialist prior to taking any medication, or following a regimen to help you work against this female condition.


Female Pattern Baldness (FPB) or female hair loss has more than one kind and category, and is commonly referenced as alopecia in women. Fortunately, in many instances female hair loss can be treated safely and effectively only after recognizing specific pattern (type and category), understanding the causes for such condition, and consenting to an appropriate, self-improved solution (if external physical appearance is discomforting for woman).

 
 Categories of Female Pattern Baldness/Alopecia
  
According to Ludwig Classification, Baldness or Alopecia in Women ranges from Grade I to III according to the amount of lost hair.

Grade I: refers to the thinning of hair on head close to the center line on top of head (as with hair divided in half).

Grade II: refers to the thinning of hair (and perhaps patches or little areas of hair loss) of greater area on top of head.

Grade III: refers to the loss of hair on top of head or crown area, leaving just some hairs at the frontline.

           


 Types of Female Pattern Baldness/Alopecia

And the types of Alopecia in women are Androgenetic Alopecia, Alopecia Areata, Scarring or Traction Alopecia, or Triangular Alopecia; other female hair loss medical terms not defined as Alopecia includes Telogen Effluvium, Anagen Effluvium, and Trichotillomania. Such terms are directly related to the reason behind the loss of hair in women.


 Female Hair Loss Causes

Female hair loss is not so simple to detect (contrary to men) due to the lack of consistency in both quantity and location of head hair lost. In addition, it is difficult for women to become aware of hair loss because it mainly happens at the top of the head (not so easy to spot), and in some circumstances hair loss gets more complex when a woman is not able to decide if the thinning of hair will be definite or it is just a temporary situation. Normally, such hair loss becomes apparent in few women that have already reached the age of forty or over. As always, exceptions have occurred where women in early twenties have experienced some degree of hair loss.
Until the moment, no pre-determined cause or connection can be immediately assigned to female hair loss; therefore, it is best that all women suffering severely from this condition seek medical assistance first for complete diagnosis. The common links relating hair loss to some women suggest anything from nutrition, medication, recent surgery, stress, biological and hormonal changes, or genetic (which is found in higher rates in males than in females). And to be considered hair loss as a condition, the rate of hair fallen out is higher than of hair growing and the shedding or falling of over 100 hairs a day are a requisite. For hair thinning, hair strands are diminished in both diameter and growth rate.

Women hair loss is mainly caused by any of the following:

Androgenetic Alopecia – hair located on the top middle part of head starts to thin and falls without any re-growth. It is directly associated with the decrease of hormone called estrogen found in women’s blood.

Alopecia Areata – hair located on different areas is lost creating visible “spots” or clear patches all over head.
 
Triangular Alopecia – hair located on temporal areas (sides) of head is lost or greatly reduced in diameter.

Scarring or Traction Alopecia – scarring of hair occurs on the top of head due to “corn-row” hairstyle (or even ponytail hairstyle), where hair is strongly tight braided or pulled with excessive force.

Telogen Effluvium – hair located on head begins to shed or fall due to changes in women’s body system after giving birth or due to a stressful life occurrence.

Anagen Effluvium – hair located on head is lost or broken during its growing phase due to exposure to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, contraceptives, or other internally administered drug.

Trichotillomania – concerns the hair loss in determined area in which hair is constantly and compulsively pulled out by individual.


 Other Causes for Female Hair Loss

And other causes such as medical treatments (chemotherapy, cystic ovaries, hypothyroidism, anemia, and giving birth), medications (prescription drugs), unknown serious diseases or conditions (HIV/AIDS, lupus or diabetes), stress (physical and emotional), diet or eating disorders, and lifestyle (hot hair treatments or chemicals applications such as “perms”) can also lead to thinning, scarring, and loss of hair in females.


 Female Hair Loss Solutions

First, determining if female hair loss is a permanent or a temporal condition. Then, after identifying the type of female hair loss (Alopecia) and the grade of complexity of the condition, we recommend two approaches for women sufferers:

1. For women with advanced hair loss (Grade III or worst in Ludwig classification scale); we suggest immediate consultation with a physician and/or medical specialist to follow an appropriate regimen or medication for hair loss. Moreover, expert diagnosis will determine if hair loss is simply a symptom of other undiscovered medical condition.
  
2. For less degree of female hair loss, women could start with suitable nutrition (healthy and balanced diet), home remedies, and hair loss supplements, reducing stress (physical and psychological), as well as tips to maintain a healthy hair. It is important to disclose that hair loss should be treated both ways, internally (hair vitamins or supplements, and appropriate diet) as well as externally (topical solutions, concealers, shampoos), for faster, optimistic outcomes. If no positive results are obtained within six months, then an occasional visit to physician and/or medical specialist is due.

Also, every case of female hair loss in every woman is different. Therefore, a specific hair loss treatment may work or be very useful for one but not for every woman alike. Since the body reacts differently, the hair loss solution is diagnosed in an individual basis only; this is true for both male and female hair loss.


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