Hairfall impacts women more than men because hair isn’t just a part of the body for women but a precious ornament they so confidently and carefully carry throughout their lives.
Female androgenetic alopecia (AGA), also known as female pattern hair loss (FPHL), is the most common type of hair loss in women that often goes unnoticed and leads to delayed treatment. The starting signs of female AGA aregeneral thinning across the top of the scalp or widening of the while keeping their frontal hairline intact, which is usually slow and not easy to notice. It can start anytime after puberty and becomes more noticeable after menopause, when the rate of hair fall is highest. The only FDA-approved treatment for women is a daily minoxidil solution, but doctors may also suggest hormone therapies or other medications to improve thinning hair.
This blog aims to help women understand and spot the early signs of pattern hair loss, explore the causes of female hair loss, and learn about treatment options.
- Is my hair getting thinner?
There are some clear signs of hair thinning that you can notice if you are more aware and alert.
- You might notice that the hair on the top and crown of your head looks thinner, and your scalp is more visible, especially under certain lighting.
- You notice changes in your hair texture strands often become thinner, softer, and break more easily because the hair follicles get smaller over time. As this happens, the hair grows back weaker and finer with each new cycle.
- Your ponytail may feel smaller or look thinner, even if you haven’t seen many hairs falling out. This is often one of the first things women notice.
- You might see that your hair grows back more slowly after a haircut or that some areas grow slower than others.
- Why is the middle part of my Scalp Widening?
You can notice a widening center part in a “Christmas tree pattern” shape commonly as an early sign of female baldness. It usually starts slowly from the middle part of your hair slowly widening and becomes easier to see as the hair thins in that area. The front hairline usually stays the same, so the wider scalp part is the main sign of hair loss in women. The main cause is due to follicular shrinkage, where hair follicles gradually get smaller due to DHT and genetics, which results in thinner and shorter hair, showing less scalp coverage.
- Why is there a lot of hair coming out when I brush?
Normal hair shedding is part of the natural growth cycle. It is normal to lose 50-100 hairs per day, but women with female AGA usually notice more shedding as an early symptom as this cycle becomes disrupted.
Signs of excessive shedding include:
- Losing more than 100 hairs daily, especially during brushing, washing, or styling.
- Seeing more hair on pillows, clothing, or the shower drain.
- Hair coming out in clumps during daily or normal activities. .
How does it relate to female AGA?
In this condition, hair follicles shrink, leading to a shortened anagen (growth) phase and a longer time between shedding and new growth. This means that shed hairs take longer to be replaced, and when they do grow back, they are usually finer and weaker.
Important: If you suddenly lose many hairs at once, that’s usually NOT female AGA. It might be due to stress, illness, or hormonal changes causing temporary hair loss.
- Why did my hair volume decrease?
Decreased hair volume is often one of the first signs of female pattern baldness, even before obvious thinning occurs. Volume changes mainly happen because:
- Follicles shrink over time, causing hair thinning. Even if the total number of hairs stays about the same initially, thinner hairs mean less volume.
- The hair growth cycle gets disturbed, with a shorter growth phase yielding shorter, finer hairs, which also reduces overall volume.
Signs you might notice include:
- Ponytails feel thinner or require more loops to hold the hair.
- Hairstyles lose bounce and their usual fullness.
- Styling products no longer provide the same volume or look flatter on top.
- More visible scalp when hair is worn up or under bright light.
- What Changes in my Scalp or Hair Should I Watch For?
To spot female AGA early, keep an eye out for small changes before hair loss becomes noticeable, like:
Changes in the scalp:
- More scalp shows through the hair, especially on top and along the part, which is easier to see in bright light or when hair is wet.
- The scalp generally looks normal without redness, itching, or flakes.
- The “Christmas tree” pattern-wider thinning spreads from the center part.
Changes in hair texture and quality:
- New hair grows thinner and softer because the hair follicles are getting smaller. The hair may feel lighter or weaker.
- Hair breaks more easily when brushed, styled, or touched because the weaker follicles produce fragile hair.
- Some areas may not grow as long as before because the hair’s growth phase is shorter.
- Your hairbrush collects more hair than usual over several weeks.
- You find yourself needing to use more hair products to achieve the same styling results.
- Needing to use more hair product to get the same styling results
What next?
After recognizing the early warning signs of female androgenetic alopecia (AGA), it’s essential to act quickly for the best possible outcomes. Starting treatment early can help slow hair loss and may even encourage hair regrowth.
The common treatments for Female baldness or Female hair thinning, or Female AGA are:
- Topical minoxidil: This is the most commonly recommended first treatment for female hair loss. It comes in 2% and 5% strengths, with the 2% version often suggested for women to minimize side effects. For it to work effectively, apply it to your scalp twice a day, every day.
- Oral medications include:
- Spironolactone: Taken at doses of 25 to 100 mg daily, this medication acts as an anti-androgen and is particularly beneficial for women with conditions like PCOS or high androgen levels.
- Oral minoxidil: Usually prescribed in doses ranging from 0.25 to 2.5 mg daily, this option has gained popularity because of its convenience and effectiveness, though it requires regular monitoring for side effects.
- Finasteride: This may also be considered, especially for postmenopausal women, at higher doses of 2.5 to 5 mg daily since it helps reduce hair loss by blocking the hormone DHT.
It’s important to have realistic expectations. Most treatments require 6 to 12 months and some people may need up to 24 months to show visible results. Progress is slow at first and results typically appear after about 12 months of regular use, so patience and consistency are important. To maintain the results, ongoing treatment is necessary. If you stop, hair loss usually returns within a few months.
When to seek professional evaluation
Consult a dermatologist or hair specialist if you see several early warning signs lasting for months. Separate female AGA from other causes of hair loss in women, such as stress-related shedding, thyroid disorders, nutritional deficiencies, or hormonal imbalances. Your healthcare provider can run blood tests and exams to find the underlying cause and suggest appropriate treatment options.
Summary
Research indicates that starting treatment early leads to better results. Treatments work best at stopping hair loss from worsening, not reversing severe thinning. Consider female AGA as a long-term condition that requires ongoing care, similar to other chronic health issues. With the right diagnosis, treatment plan, and consistency, many women can slow or even stop hair loss and see real improvements in hair thickness and quality.
Take action today, if you’ve noticed the early signs discussed in this blog, don’t wait for the condition to worsen.
FAQs
- What is female pattern hair loss or Female AGA?
Female pattern hair loss or Female AGA is when over time your hair thins slowly, mostly on the top or crown of your head.
- Does female pattern hair loss keep the front hairline intact?
Yes, with female pattern hair loss, the front hairline stays unchanged and mostly affects the top center part of your scalp.
- How much hair fall is normal in a day and when is it too much?
Losing around 50 to 100 strands of hair per day is normal. It may be a sign of a problem if you see more hair coming out, especially when brushing or washing.
- Can female pattern hair loss start after menopause?
Yes, hair loss may start or get worse after menopause because of hormonal changes.
- Why does my ponytail feel thinner even though I’m not seeing much hair fall out?
Even before you notice hair fall, your ponytail might feel thinner because your hairs are getting finer and thinner.
- Is losing more hair than usual always female pattern hair loss?
Not everytime. Female pattern hair loss follows a pattern i.e., slow thinning mostly on top and crown. Extra hair loss can be caused by many different factors like stress, illness, changes in hormones or poor nutrition.
- Does this kind of hair loss cause pain, itching, or flaking?
No. Female pattern hair loss does not make your scalp feel sore, itchy, or flaky.
- Is minoxidil the only approved treatment for female pattern hair loss?
Minoxidil is the only medicine approved for women by the FDA. Your doctor might suggest other treatments, but minoxidil is always the first choice.
