Female Baldness and What Women Really Need to Know

Female baldness is more complicated than male pattern baldness, although some of the causes may be the same or similar. It's also more complicated, because women usually want to do something about it. Men can, if they want, just shave their heads.



Here's a look at what men and women have in common, in terms of hair loss, and what they don't.



Alopecia (hair loss) in both men and women may be inherited.



Male hormones play a role in both sexes.



Poor circulation plays a role in alopecia that occurs over time.



Poor health and nutrition may cause alopecia in either sex.



There, the similarities end.



Decreased production of estrogen that occurs after a woman passes the age of menopause may play a role. Higher estrogen levels cause a thickening and higher numbers of hairs in the follicles.



Stress is very likely to play a role in women's hair loss that occurs before the age of menopause. Doctors are seeing more young women with Telogen effluvium, a condition in which the hairs fall out in handfuls. It happens because a large number of the follicles enter the resting phase at the same time.



It is almost always related to a physical or psychological trauma.



When female baldness occurs in a pattern, branching out from the center of the scalp, typically near the natural part, male hormones are the likely culprits or rather a genetic sensitivity to them.



Research indicates that the "baldness gene" is passed along on the X chromosomes. Women have two X chromosomes. So, they may be more likely to have the sensitivity than a man. The jury is still out on that one.



Genetics and hormones cannot easily be addressed, but poor circulation and nutritional issues can easily be treated.



By far, the most effective treatment for female baldness is Minoxidil. It works by stimulating blood flow to the hair producing follicles, which means that nutrient flow increases, as well.



There are many companies that sell Minoxidil these days. The patent held by Upjohn expired several years ago. So, the generic formula is now available.



The question is which of these brands are likely to be most effective for a woman. First, you need to make sure that the company is selling the appropriate concentration.



A 5% concentration is correct for men, but it can actually make the problem worse for a woman.



Second, a two-fold approach is the most effective for treating female baldness. If you buy from a company that sells only the topical solution, you are not getting the most for your money. The better companies give you an oral health supplement and the Minoxidil solution for about the same price that you used to pay for Minoxidil, alone.



Third, look for a money-back guarantee and read the testimonials.



The better companies guarantee your satisfaction and they have lots of satisfied customers.



Minoxidil works for female baldness more than 50% of the time. Add to that the effectiveness of the right health supplement and you can say that most women will see an improvement, in a relatively short period of time.