Overview
Hair loss is a condition commonly associated with men, but older women can develop the problem too. While women don’t usually develop large bald spots on the head, areas of thinning hair can just be as disturbing, particularly if you have always taken pride in the lush appearance of your hair. Treatment of female hair loss is aimed at regrowing or restoring hair and finding acceptable ways to disguise thinning hair or bald spots.
Types of Hair Loss
Androgenetic alopecia, or female pattern hair loss, is the most common cause of hair loss in older women, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. The condition usually occurs after menopause, when the production of female hormones drop, making women more susceptible to the effects of androgens, a type of male hormones.
Hair loss can also occur due to vitamin or iron deficiencies, as a side effect of medications or due to an underactive thyroid gland. If you constantly pull on your hair or wear your hair in tight hairstyles, a type of hair loss called traction alopecia may occur.
Injuries to the scalp can damage hair follicles and cause hair loss if the damage is severe. In some cases, hair loss begins as a side effect of chemotherapy or due to stress, illness or major surgery. Alopecia areata, an immune system disease, can also cause the problem
Symptoms
If you have female pattern hair loss, hair will begin to grow shorter or miniaturize. Miniature hairs will be of varying diameters, giving thinning areas of the scalp a peach fuzz appearance. Thinning hair usually occurs on the top of the scalp and is noticeable at the part of the hair. If hair loss occurs due to other reasons, the loss may occur all over the head or may be limited to a specific area.
Hair loss due to scarring or traction alopecia usually causes bald spots, rather than thinning hair. If you have alopecia areata, you may experience loss of scalp hair or may lose hair in small round patches.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will examine your hair and scalp and take a complete medical history. If she suspects that a medical condition may be causing the problem, you may undergo blood tests, a skin biopsy or other diagnostic procedures.
Treatment
Treatment of hair loss in older women depends on the cause of the problem. If it is caused by a medical condition or side effects from a medication, treating the condition or changing medication can stop hair loss, although it may take months for full regrowth.
Minoxidil, a topical prescription medication, may slow or stop hair loss and may help hair grow in 20 to 25 percent of the female population, according to the National Institutes of Health. During a hair transplant, small strips of healthy hair are removed from the scalp and transplanted to areas affected by hair loss. Hair loss can also be disguised by creative hairstyles, perms, wigs and hair weaves.
Warning
Minoxidil must be used on a consistent basis or hair loss begins once again. The American Hair Loss Association recommends beginning treatment as soon as possible after hair loss begins if you have female pattern hair loss. Delaying treatment may result in destruction of hair follicles, due to the prolonged effects of androgens. If hair follicles are destroyed, hair will not be able to regrow in those areas.
