This female pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is hair loss that affects women. It’s similar to male pattern baldness, not that women can lose their hair in the other pattern than men.
Hair loss in women is average, mostly when they grow up. Up to two-thirds of women will have hair loss after menopause. Less than half of trusted sources of women create it past age 65 with a head full of hair.
Female pattern baldness is hereditary. It’s much popular after menopause, so hormones are more responsible. When you find that you are losing hair, visit your doctor or a dermatologist. They will know if you are suffering from female pattern baldness or another type of hair loss. Keep reading its Treatment.
Treatment for Female Pattern Baldness
When you have female pattern baldness, you can camouflage the hair loss by adopting a new hairstyle. Suddenly, you may have more thinning at the top of your scalp to hide.
The first diagnosis is needed, as it may enable you to get on a treatment plan and potentially reduce future hair loss. The treatment plan will mainly consist of one or more medications confirmed to treat hair loss.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is the only drug the U. S. Food and Drug Administration has known to treat female pattern baldness. It’s found in 2% or 5% formulas. When possible, opt for the 5% formula.
For use, you have to apply minoxidil to your scalp each day. Though it won’t fully restore all the hair you have lost. Minoxidil can get back a huge amount of hair trusted Source and make your hair an overall thicker appearance.
You probably won’t start to find results for 6 to 12 months. You will have to maintain using minoxidil to keep the effect, or it will not work. When it stops working, your hair may get back to its previous appearance.
The following side effects are found from these
- redness
- dryness
- itching
- Growth of hair on areas where you didn’t want it, such as your cheeks
Finasteride and Dutasteride
Finasteride and dutasteride are FDA-approved to treat hair loss in men. They are not suitable for women, though other doctors do use them for female pattern baldness.
Studies show whether these drugs work best in women, though some research Trusted Source has found that they assist in regrow hair in male or female pattern baldness.
Side effects can be headaches, hot flashes, a decreased sex drive, more so during the first year of use. Women should not be pregnant while on this drug because it may increase the problems of congenital disabilities.
Spironolactone
Spironolactone is a diuretic, which means it gets rid of excess fluid from the body. It also stops androgen production, and it can assist the regrow of hair in women.
This drug can lead to several side effects, like
- electrolyte imbalances
- fatigue
- spotting between periods
- irregular menstruation
- tender breasts
You may want to have normal blood pressure and electrolyte tests when you use this drug. When you are pregnant or expecting to become pregnant, you shouldn’t use this medication. Spironolactone will cause congenital disabilities.
Conclusion
Female pattern baldness usually is not a sign of an underlying medical disorder. Hair loss can affect self-esteem and result in anxiety. This is most known to be the least expensive and safest way to treat female pattern baldness.
