What is Female Pattern Hair Loss?

A common yet highly unspoken symptom of the menopause, postpartum and a hormone imbalance are changes to the hair – thinning, hair becoming brittle and easy to break, or even looking a little wonky at the hairline. This is what we call Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) which can be very concerning and upsetting for women.  After all, for lots of us, hair is an important aspect of our identity.

 

 

Female pattern hair loss (FPHL), often referred to as androgenic alopecia, is a common condition characterised by a gradual thinning of hair in females. It is the most prevalent cause of hair loss in females and typically follows a distinct pattern, unlike male pattern baldness.

FPHL (or androgenic alopecia) is influenced by genetics and hormones. It occurs when our hair follicles become smaller and producer finer and shorter hairs with each growth cycle. The process usually begins around the crown and the top of the head, resulting in a widening of the parting or more visible scalp. We can also notice thinning at the wider edges of the hairline, sometimes pushing the hairline back. Unlike other forms of hair loss, the hairline should remain intact.

 

It is important here to note, FPHL may not be noticeable to other people, however if you notice it yourself, it may be worth getting it confirmed. Trying to confirm this can be quite the task!

Here are some ways FPHL can be identified:

• More hair in the brush than what is usual for you
• More hair going down the drain in the shower or bath than what is usual for you
• Thinning of the hair around your hairline and general hair thickness (add photo)
• Hair line moving backward slightly
• Brittle and weak hair, which is easily damaged and snapped
• Your parting is wider than before, or you can see your scalp a lot more than before (this is especially noticeable with wet hair)

Take a look at the Ludwig Scale, a three step classification system used by dermatologists and healthcare professional to categorise the severity of female pattern hair loss.

 

Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) and Male Pattern Hair Loss (MPHL) are both conditions that are affected by genetics, aging and hormone levels, and result in the hair thinning. Whilst both share similarities in terms of pattern and progression, there are some key differences between the two.

One major difference lies in the pattern of hair loss. MPHL typically starts with a receding hairline at the temples, followed by thinning at the crown of the head; eventually leading to partial or complete baldness. Different to this, FPHL usually presents as more widespread thinning across the scalp, with the hairline remaining intact. Women with FPHL may notice wider part lines and a general increase in hair density.

 

 

The difference in hair loss patterns can also be influenced by the type of hair

• Caucasian hair can be finer and have a lower density in comparison to the other hair types. With FPHL, females with caucasian type hair may experience a more noticeable decrease in hair volume due to the naturally thinner strands
• Afro hair is typically thicker and coarser, and may show a different appearance when affected by FPHL. The hair loss may not be as noticeable in the initial stages, but may then become visible with the contrast of thickness against the scalp.
• Asian hair is sometimes considered similar to caucasian hair in texture, but is generally thicker and straighter. The FHPL is considered similar to that of caucasian hair types, but the overall appearance may differ due to the thickness and styling.

 

It is during the postpartum period and menopause that you may experience female pattern hair loss. Those with medical conditions affecting female hormones may also experience female pattern hair loss, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome being an example.

Studies show around 40% of women will experience hair loss after the menopause. Two thirds of these women will experience this all over the scalp, and for the remainder, hair loss is experienced at the front or over the temples only. Hair loss may start during the perimenopause or it begin years after.

It is important to remember that female pattern hair loss is very common and increases in likelihood with age. It is not specific to any ethnicity, anyone can be affected. It can happen at any age, but it is most likely to occur when you experience a hormonal shift:

Postpartum

During pregnancy, elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone cause our hair to remain in the growth phase. After we give birth, the level of these hormones drop, causing more hair to enter the resting phase. Not long after, all of this hair will shed and can leave signs of female pattern hair loss behind.

Menopause

Through the perimenopause, menopause and post menopause, estrogen levels decline. Estrogen is a ‘hair-friendly hormone’ that allows our hair to stay in the growth phase a little longer and maintains hair thickness. The decrease in estrogen and hormone imbalance can result in hair becoming finer and even more susceptible to shedding.

Unfortunately, we cannot ignore aging. Menopause signifies the next stage in life (which we think should be celebrated!) and with our years of wisdom (provided you are going into menopause naturally) aging may begin to show in your hair, not just your skin laxity. After the age of 40, hair follicles begin to shrink and become thinner. The total number of follicles go down too.

PCOS

With PCOS, the cysts on the ovaries and infamous hormonal disturbances can impact hair health. One of the culprits is elevated androgens, such as testosterone, in the body. High androgen levels cause hair follicles to shrink, resulting in the production of thinner and shorter hairs. This can lead to hair thinning and the pattern of hair loss can look more like the male-pattern rather than female, which can be troubling.

When comparing women of the same age, those with PCOS are more likely to experience female pattern hair loss than women who do not have PCOS.

Hormones alone are not the cause, we also must consider genetics, family history, any medical conditions, medications and lifestyle factors like stress-levels and your nutrition

Poor nutrition

Poor nutrition, whether due to under-eating or insufficient nutrient intake can have a devastating impact on hair health. When the body doesn’t receive the nutrition that is required, it will prioritise vital functions over hair growth and health. This will lead to experiencing thinner hair, poor hair quality and loss of hair.

We see it often, the importance of a healthy, balanced diet flies under the radar for hair health. Protein deficiency, a lack of vitamins such as biotin, vitamin D and iron can disrupt the hair growth cycle in particular and malnutrition will eventually lead to hormone disruption and exacerbate hair loss.

Remember, nourishing your body is not only essential for overall health but also for maintaining vibrant and healthy hair.

The good news is, there are many things we can do to help improve female pattern hair loss. Most of these recommendations are lifestyle changes, or extra steps in your beauty regime that you can implement yourself:

• Avoid wearing your hair up in a pony tail, especially if it is a high ponytail or a very tight one. Wearing your hair like this can put too much tension on the follicles and lead to damaging the roots as well as pulling your hair out.
• Try to limit the damage you do to your hair. If you can, reduce any bleaching or colouring and turn the heat on any styling devices down. To go one step further, reducing the amount of times you put heat on your hair is a bonus!
• A healthy, balanced diet is the most under rated way to treat hair loss and is something here at Blossom Wellness that we highly advocate! Think one portion of red meat a week if you can, two portions of oily fish per week, eating a variety of vegetables fruits, drinking enough water and certainly not neglecting your healthy fats and carbohydrates.
• Speak to your Doctor about any potential deficiencies. In particular, iron and vitamin D. You may be able to get a blood test to establish these.
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) will boost your level of estrogen, often resulting in hair loss slowing down or completely stopping. This must be discussed in depth with your Doctor, as this isn’t a guarantee and may not be suitable for everyone.
• Managing your stress levels with overhauling your life (getting rid of anything that could be causing you unnecessary stress), implementing daily meditations or breath work.
• Minoxidil is a medication that is available on prescription from your Doctor, which is used to treat hair loss. It is important to have a consultation with your Doctor to discuss whether this may be an option for you and any other treatments available to you.
• The effectiveness of supplements for hair loss is up for debate. However, some women find supplements really helpful when getting a balanced diet and positively impacting their hair. A popular supplement for strengthening hair is Biotin.
• Discuss hairstyles with your hairdresser. Opt for a style that gives the illusion of thicker hair, and be sure to be very gentle when brushing your locks!