Female Pattern Baldness

Androgenic alopecia or female pattern baldness is the most frequent and often incorrect diagnosis made by Dermatologists, Doctors and often some Trichologists! I see women of all ages who have been misdiagnosed with female pattern baldness, some as young as 20 with none of the associated female pattern baldness symptoms. Most types of female hair thinning including female pattern baldness primarily affect the vertices (top of the scalp), which is why the diagnosis can be the subject of confusion. If your hair has thinned all over your scalp, including the sides and back, it is unlikely that you problem is Androgenic Alopecia or you may also be suffering from a secondary condition.

Women, like men can inherit baldness from their parents, this determines the distribution of the hair follicles affected. If you're thinking "My mother and grandmother had thin hair - I am doomed!" You must also consider if your mother and grandmother had health issues or took medications which may have caused their hair thinning, rather than residing yourself to female pattern baldness.

The associated symptoms of androgenic alopecia in women can help determine the diagnosis. In younger women supposedly diagnosed with female pattern baldness one would expect to see some of the symptoms below:

• Excess facial hair growth,
• Excess body hair growth,
• Oily skin / hair,
• Acne,
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

If you have none of the above it's unlikely you have this condition. Tests for PCOS and high testosterone levels can be carried out by your GP to aid the differential diagnosis. It is also possible to have female pattern baldness and Chronic Telogen Effluvium at the same time.

Read about diffuse hair loss - Chronic Telogen Effluvium

An experienced Trichologist can help you to get to the root of your problem and recommend the best course of action.

Call us today on 01386 421703 for an appointment.

The Cotswold Trichology Centre,
4B Port St. Evesham,
Worcestershire
WR11 1AN

Telephone
01386 421703