Treatment options for female pattern baldness

Introduction to Loss of Hair in Women

Hair loss is traumatic for both, men and women. The problem may be hereditary or acquired. Hereditary hair loss in both genders is caused by excess of male hormone testosterone and its metabolite called dihydrotestosterone. The excessive amounts of dihydrotestosterone in the body or increased susceptibility of hair follicles to the hormone causes loss of hair. Still the exact mechanism of the hair loss has not been found yet and nobody can explain why the hair on the top of the head falls off first.

There is a difference between the male and female form of boldness in case of hereditary hair loss. In men the loss of hair is in a form of horseshoe while women commonly experience diffuse thinning across the entire scalp. This is essential in differentiating this cause of female baldness from other potential causes of baldness in women. In women loss of hair is commonly associated with hormones, process of aging and genes.

Treatment for Baldness in Women

The treatment for baldness in women is specific. Women are generally not suitable candidates for hair transplant since the pattern of their baldness includes diffuse hair thinning. This way it is practically impossible to determine the hair which will be resistant to future miniaturization. One more problem is that certain treatments commonly used for baldness are not approved for women. They include treatment with finasteride and dutasteride.

Women may be treated with minoxidil. The only difference is the strength of the drug given to men and women. Namely, women are treated with 2% minoxidil while in men the strength of the drug is 5%. Some doctors may recommend 5% minoxidil in the form of a foam. A suitable option for minoxidil in pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding is aminexil. Furthermore, female hair loss can be treated with other anti-androgen medications such as spironolactone and Cyproterone acetate.

Another treatment modality for female pattern baldness which is highly effective includes application of estrogen solutions such as Crinohermal®. The main component of this medication is estradiol, a female hormone. This hormone is highly efficient in inhibition of the conversion of testosterone into its harmful metabolite dihydrotestosterone.

Some women may benefit from hormone replacement therapy. This particularly refers to women in menopause. They are usually prescribed estrogen and progesterone pills and creams. This way the level of estrogen is maintained. In menopause the level of estrogen declines and this leaves sufficient amount of male hormone testosterone which is easily converted into follicle-harming dihydrotestosterone.

Apart from prescribed medications a variety of home remedies may assist in treatment of female pattern baldness. However, none of them is supposed to be used prior consultation with a doctor.