From the Research
Types of Alopecia in Women
- Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is the most common form of alopecia in women, affecting approximately one-third of adult Caucasian women 1.
- FPHL is characterized by diffuse alopecia over the mid-frontal scalp, resulting from nonuniform hair follicle miniaturization within follicular units 1.
- Androgenetic alopecia, also known as female androgenetic alopecia (FAGA), is a type of alopecia that is caused by androgens in genetically susceptible women 2, 3.
Age of Onset
- The thinning of hair in women with androgenetic alopecia typically begins between the ages of 12 and 40 years 3.
- FPHL can occur at any age, but it is most common in women under 40 years of age 4, 1.
Diagnosis and Treatment
- The diagnosis of FPHL is typically made by clinical history, clinical examination, and laboratory tests, including androgenic determinations 2.
- Treatment options for FPHL include topical minoxidil, oral antiandrogen therapies, and hair transplantation 2, 4, 1.
- Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment are desirable, as treatments are more effective in preventing the progression of hair loss than stimulating regrowth 4.