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Hair Loss in Women
Female Pattern Thinning
Genetic thinning in women is called ‘Female Pattern Thinning’ (FMPT) or ‘Androgenetic Alopecia’ (ANA). FMPT will only effect the top/front areas of the scalp, however, many of the hairs in the area will be left untouched, so in general, the overall effect is thinning of the area. This thinning will not lead to baldness. It may not be as instantly noticeable as a man’s receding hairline, but every woman knows only too well when the volume of her hair dwindles. For women, it is a condition that can have devastating psychological effects. Needless to say it’s not just a bad hair day for women who notice a significant change of hair thickness. Many women affected by such hair loss find their self-esteem shattered and can experience varying degrees of depression.
Clinical Features
FMPT is easily diagnosed by its location on the scalp. FMPT is not a rapid loss of hair; it is a gradual shortening of the hair growth cycle of hair follicles in the effected area. With each new hair cycle, the effected hairs do not grow as long, and they become smaller in diameter. Over time, the hair follicles will only produce shorter, finer hairs. Again, this thinning will not lead to complete baldness in the effective area, but will still have a devastating effect on a woman’s self esteem.
Hereditary Factors
FMPT often begins around the time of menopause or after a hysterectomy, if a woman has inherited the genes. It is believed that FMPT is a recessive trait. You will have to inherit the genes from both parents to show the effect of FMPT.
Most recently, younger women are showing signs of FMPT as a result of oral contraceptives.
Hormonal Factors – The Cause – The Science
At the times women start to show the effects of FMPT, it is because of a change in the sex hormonal balance that gives the male sex hormones (androgens) more influence which triggers the thinning. Hormonally, ‘dehydrotesterone’ (DHT) is the androgen, and it is the DHT that influences the changes.
Other factors can also trigger FMPT such as extreme stress, problems with the adrenal glands or ovaries. FMPT can also be exaggerated by other contributing factors such as post partum alopecia and diffuse hair loss.
The Solution
FMPT as mentioned, most often occurs around menopause. But with the changes to our lives in modern society, we are commonly seeing the effects in younger women. The key to prevention and full recovery is in early detection and treatment of the found cause. Women are often embarrassed and don’t know who to turn to. Often your own hairdresser can offer limited assistance, not having the knowledge or experience to respond to the problem. Ultra Hair has helped many women regain their confidence and looks. Our job is to help our clients understand what is happening, so we can move on to making them look and feel great about themselves again. The first step is to have an individual ‘Ultra Hair Ultra Check’, which is a free, and confidential information meeting, with a qualified consultant, to first find the cause of the hair loss. If at Ultra Hair, we are not capable of helping you, we will point you the right direction to help with your hair loss situation.