Female pattern baldness: Causes and treatment types

A fear for many women, young and old, is excessive hair thinning and balding. For many women, however, this fear is a reality. Visible hair loss affects 40% of American women, a statistic that may startle you. So, what causes female pattern baldness and how can you improve your scalp and hair health if this disease affects you?

Causes of female pattern baldness

From illness to medication to hormonal imbalance, there are many reasons that a woman may be facing hair thinning and baldness.

But the most common cause of female pattern baldness is the condition known as Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA). The exact cause of AGA is unknown, though there are a few theories.

The most widely believed theory is that of androgen hormone sensitivity. More specifically, the androgen Dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

So, what’s the science behind the theory?

A more recently suggested theory is that of scalp tension. As the theory suggests, scalp tension occurs as a result of “pubertal and post-pubertal skull bone growth and/or the overdevelopment and chronic contraction of muscles connected to the GA.”

The scalp tension theory does answer a lot of questions that the DHT theory seems to ignore. There is still much room for research on the topic, however.

How to combat female pattern baldness

Even if we don’t know the exact cause of female pattern baldness, it’s still possible to treat it. How? Let’s look at some of the proven methods below.

Consider Rogaine

There are plenty of hair loss “cures” on the market that claim to stop hair loss and even reverse balding. But many of these are unproven.

One product on the market that’s been thoroughly researched, though, is Rogaine. A topical FDA-approved medication, Rogaine is often recommended to men and women alike who suffer from hair thinning and balding.

Its mechanism isn’t fully understood, though the drug is believed to increase blood flow to the scalp and make it possible for the hair follicles to thrive in a hostile environment.

This drug differs from the only other FDA-approved hair loss drug on the market, Propecia, in that it is available over-the-counter AND it can be used by women.

Rogaine isn’t an option for everyone, but it might be an option.

Change your diet

What you eat can have a significant impact on overall health and even your hair. That’s why it’s important to re-evaluate your current dietary choices.

What changes should you consider, then?

The most obvious changes to make include reducing sugar intake, lowering carb intake, and increasing your intake of fiber. If you have any known sensitivities, such as to dairy or gluten, then it’s best to remove those from your diet as well.

So, what should you eat?

• Lean meats (e.g. chicken, fish)
• Whole grains (e.g. brown rice, bulgur, quinoa)
• Dark, leafy greens (e.g. spinach, arugula, kale)
• Nuts and seeds (e.g. almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds)
• Non-meat proteins (e.g. lentils, beans)

A balance of these foods will contribute the necessary vitamins and nutrients to your diet so you can be sure you’re hitting all of your daily needs. This will go a long way in supporting healthy hair growth. In addition, these properly caring for your hair is as important as ever.

Practice scalp massage for hair growth

If you want to continue on the path of natural hair growth techniques, then scalp massage is a consideration. Natural remedies for wellness are growing in popularity for use on the hair, as well as for cosmetics.

Scalp massage is a technique that helps to reduce tension. It also increases blood flow to the immediate area, and it may even break down scalp calcification.

Scalp massage has even been proven to increase hair thickness in men with pattern baldness.

Men aren’t the only ones to benefit from scalp massage for hair growth, though. A more recent study, published in 2019, suggests that women can benefit from the same technique.

How to perform scalp massage

Place your hands on either side of your scalp just above the ears. Using your fingertips, begin to move in slow, circular motions.

Slowly move towards the front of the scalp, first at the temples and then at the forehead. Your hands will meet in the middle, and then you can return to the sides of your scalp all the while continuing your slow, circular movements.

Next move up to the crown. As women tend to experience the most balding here, spend a bit more time here than in other areas, if possible.

Lastly, you’ll move to the base of the scalp. Here you can also massage your neck muscles to reduce any scalp tension that may be a result of physical stress on the back and neck.

Do you want to increase the efficacy of your scalp massage for hair growth?

If so, you can always add in natural scalp treatment, such as those from Hairguard. These provide an extra boost to your routine without taking any additional time.

Conclusions on female pattern baldness

Female hair loss and thinning is a condition that faces millions of women worldwide. And while it may seem that most treatments are geared towards men, there are many options for women as well.

You don’t need to be in the later stages of female pattern baldness to begin treatment, either. In fact, the sooner you can start, the better.

Why is more attention put on male hair loss than women’s? Feel free to share any related experiences in the comments section below.