Is Hair Loss in Women Different Than in Men?
Hair loss is commonly thought of as a man’s problem. Men tend to lose hair earlier and in more quantity, which makes this a condition more commonly associated with them. Make no mistake, however, women also lose hair. Hair loss in men and women due to genetic predispositions, while equally distressing, has differences.
Let’s talk about hereditary hair loss or androgenic alopecia (which makes up 95 percent of hair loss cases in both sexes) and the difference between female pattern hair loss and male pattern hair loss.
Female Pattern Hair Loss
Androgenic alopecia in women is caused by aging, hormones, and genes. It is characterized by hair thinning that begins at the top of the scalp and the crown. Female pattern baldness usually begins with a widening of the scalp area in the part of the hair. Unlike male pattern baldness, the front hairline remains intact. Moreover, androgenic alopecia in women doesn’t always progress to balding. It is a diffused, rather than a concentrated, type of hair loss.
Androgenic alopecia in women is usually caused by an increase in male hormones or androgens. The androgens produce dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which binds to specific proteins and shrinks hair follicles. This can cause the hair to fall out sooner and new (thinner) hair to grow slower. This usually happens after the age of 40 for women when they become menopausal and estrogen production reduces greatly.
Male Pattern Hair Loss
Androgenic alopecia in men usually starts at the front of the head. The hairline recedes, commonly forming the letter M as it recedes. The hair continues to recede until the man becomes significantly bald. Male pattern baldness can begin as early as the teenage years, but usually starts in the 30s.
Hair loss is diagnosed using a hair loss pattern evaluation. Your hair doctor may also perform a pull or plug test and scalp count. Because hair loss in women is different than in men, treatment also differs. If you are experiencing the early signs of hair loss, many treatments are available to you. The longer hair loss has been a problem before you seek treatment, the less treatment options you will have. This is why you should seek treatment before hair loss becomes a big problem. Early hair loss treatment can focus on prevention of new hair loss, which is always more effective than reversing hair loss that has already occurred.
The Best Hair Doctor in Kansas City and Des Moines
At Darling Hair Restoration, we have a wide range of treatments to address female and male pattern baldness. Hair loss treatments have come a long way. Find out what hair loss treatment options are made available to you by top hair doctor in Kansas and Des Moines, Dr. Scott Darling. Dr. Darling is a triple-board certified hair transplant doctor and an active member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery.
To schedule a consultation, call our clinic at (816) 792-3400 or use our online form. We look forward to helping you gain back your confidence through successful hair loss treatment.
