Female pattern hair loss is very common and unfortunately not discussed as much as male pattern hair loss. Female pattern hair loss tends to cause a range of mild to moderate to severe thinning throughout the central partline and temple areas. This type of hair loss tends to run in families with other women demonstrating similar patterns of hair thinning, and seems to have some relationship with androgens aka “male hormones”. “Male hormones” like testosterone serve a very important role for women just as estrogen does for men. We typically think of testosterone being only in males and estrogen being only in females, however that is far from the actual truth. The reason for this belief is due the fact that women make much more estrogen than men and men make much more testosterone than women. DHT, a byproduct of Testosterone, is a main cause of female pattern hair loss, just as it is for men. Lucky, this type of hair loss also tends to respond nicely to active ingredients that target DHT, increase blood flow, and promote hair growth. It is very important that women do not take any Blends™ topical or capsules if pregnant or breastfeeding to avoid the risk of birth defect.
Other hormonally mediated events commonly lead to hair loss in women which include pregnancy, breast feeding, and menopause. As the former two on this list are temporary states, the hair loss tends to improve on its own in time. Hair loss due to menopause does not typically self resolve, however treatments with hair growth medications do have positive effects. Additionally, hormone replacement therapy often will help the hair in such cases as well.
Women can also experience many other forms of less common types of hair loss including autoimmune autoimmune reactions like alopecia areata (which causes patchy loss), or thyroid related hair loss. Autoimmune disorders are more common in women than men, and hair loss tends to be a common side effect of many autoimmune disorders. Often the treatment of the autoimmune disorder helps the hair on its own.
Shedding is another common cause of hair loss in general that is not unique to women. It can result from stress, infection, inflammation, nutritional deficiency, among other precipitating factors. Shedding often self resolves, although it can take months for that to occur. Shedding is not a sign of female pattern loss. It is important to discuss with your doctor your history with hair loss so they can best diagnose and help you.