It’s completely normal for women to lose 50-100 strands of hair per day; it is a problem when they lose much more. Most women assume that hair loss is attributed to age, stress and genetics; however, it could also indicate a severe health problem.
Alopecia or female pattern baldness is a condition where the growth of hair follicles slows down, which leads to partial baldness – the hair starts falling off in patches. This condition can occur anywhere on your body – the scalp, eyebrows or even eyelashes.
Pattern baldness in both men and women is the same; the only difference is that in women, pattern baldness begins with gradual thinning at the part line, followed by increasing diffuse hair loss radiating from the top of the head.
Here are some facts about Alopecia you need to know about Alopecia:
Fact 1: It is not specific to women only; men can also experience this condition.
Fact 2: While the hair falls off in patches in most cases, extreme Alopecia can lead to complete baldness.
Fact 3: It may be hereditary (but not necessarily). Only one in five women with Alopecia have a family member who has also experienced it.
Fact 4: Alopecia develops suddenly, which means that it can occur within a few days.
Reasons for female pattern baldness
- Changes in the levels of androgens
- Emotional and mental stress
- Heavy loss of blood during the monthly menstrual cycle
- Genetics (close family member with pattern baldness history)
- Intake of specific estrogenic oral contraceptives
There is no known prevention for female pattern baldness. Female pattern baldness is usually not a sign of any underlying medical disorder. There may be many potential causes of hair loss in women, including medical conditions, medications, and physical or emotional stress.
If you notice unusual hair loss of any kind, it’s important to see your primary care provider or a dermatologist, to determine the cause and the appropriate treatment.