Female Pattern Baldness

• Female pattern baldness, also known by the clinical name androgenetic alopecia, is the leading cause of premature hair loss in women, causing about 90 percent of cases. Those who suffer from female pattern baldness have a hormonal imbalance. Their bodies contain too much of the hormones testosterone and DHT. This imbalance negatively affects the growth cycle of hair causing hair follicles to die and hair to fall out prematurely.
  
  The hair information website says that androgenetic alopecia can be intensified when it is coupled with another hormonal abnormality called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS results in reduced amounts of the hormone estrogen. Usually female pattern baldness does not manifest until a women reaches menopause, but it can start as early as the teenage years, especially when accompanied by PCOS.
  
  

Other Causes

• There are many other things that can cause premature hair loss in women. MayoClinic.com lists poor nutrition, medications, disease, medical treatments, hair treatments and scalp infections among the causes of premature hair loss. Medications used to treat gout, arthritis, blood pressure and heart problems may cause hair loss in some. Lupus and diabetes can also cause hair loss. Chemotherapy and radiation used to treat cancer usually cause hair to fall out. Chemicals in dyes and other hair treatments may be too harsh on the hair of some women and cause it to thin and fall out, especially when they are used too often.
  
  

Testing and Diagnosis

• To treat premature baldness, women have to make sure that they know the cause. There are a few tests that doctors can do when trying to find out the cause of premature hair loss. A doctor may do a skin scraping test. Some skin will be scraped from the scalp and then tested. This will reveal if an infection is the cause of the hair loss. A doctor may perform a biopsy and take a sample of the deep layers of skin on the scalp.
  
  Finally, a doctor may perform a blood test or other screening tests to determine if a medical condition or a hormonal imbalance is causing premature hair loss.
  
  

Treatment

• After the cause of hair loss is diagnosed, treatment can be started. There are drugs available that can successfully treat female pattern baldness. The FDA has approved Rogaine to treat alopecia. A doctor may also treat hair loss with cortisone shots into the scalp. New hair may be visible as soon as four weeks after injection.
  
  Hair implants is another treatments option, especially if nothing else works. Mayoclinic.com describes the hair transplant process saying, "A dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon takes tiny plugs of skin, each containing one to a few hairs, from the back or sides of your scalp. The plugs are then implanted into the bald sections. Several transplant sessions may be needed, as hereditary hair loss progresses with time."
  
  

Prevention

• The sad truth is that not all hair loss in women can be prevented, especially if it is genetic or if it is the result of a serious medical condition. Luckily, though, some can. Eating a healthy diet filled with protein will help keep hair strong and make it less likely to fall out. Also, drinking plenty of water will keep the skin on the scalp and hair hydrated making for a good growing environment. Avoid bad habits like smoking, staying out in the sun too long and drinking excessively, which can hinder hair growth. Use natural products on the hair that promote healthy growth.