Female Pattern Baldness (Androgenetic Alopecia)

Although female pattern baldness is often less dramatic than other hair loss conditions, we understand how it can still be very distressing. Your hair may gradually get thinner across the top of the head, particularly around the parting. You might also notice that your hair has become fine and brittle.  

Unlike male pattern baldness, the hairline at the front of your scalp often remains normal, meaning you’re unlikely to lose all of your hair. Female pattern baldness can appear at any age, but it often begins when women are in their fifties and sixties, or if there is an underlying hormonal imbalance such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or a strong family history of hair loss.

Women with female pattern baldness often have a genetic predisposition to increased sensitivity to the male hormones (or androgens) in the body. The affected hair follicles shrink in size, resulting in smaller and finer strands of hair. The condition is often triggered by the hormonal fluctuations during menopause—in particular, the decrease in oestrogen and progesterone levels. 

Where Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is the cause, hormone regulation is an important part of the treatment and can help prevent further hair loss.

If you have noticed thinning on your scalp it is important to see a specialist. Nicola is a highly experienced Consultant Dermatologist and an expert in women’s hair loss. She will carry out a detailed examination of your hair and scalp and take a full medical history. She may order blood tests to determine hormone levels and rule out other causes of hair loss. Female pattern baldness (sometimes also called female pattern hair loss) can usually be diagnosed after an initial consultation, depending on the pattern of hair loss and your individual medical history.

Nicola has many years’ experience in successfully treating women with female pattern baldness. There is no simple cure for the condition, but luckily there are highly effective treatments to prevent further hair loss and improve the density and volume of your hair.

Female pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia in women, tends to progress gradually, sometimes over many years, and it is important to get an accurate diagnosis and start treatment as soon as possible. This will usually help prevent any further thinning or shedding and help restore some of the thickness and volume of your hair. 

Hair loss can be a complex issue and Nicola Clayton is committed to taking an integrated approach. She works with several highly skilled specialists at the Medical Chambers, including a team of Consultant Gynaecologists, and a dedicated Consultant Endocrinologist. She provides bespoke and holistic treatment plans, which may include hormone-regulating medication (such as HRT), highly effective topical treatments and psychological support.

There can be many reasons for your hair thinning on the crown, and for hair loss in general. It can often be a complex issue and due to a number of different factors. It’s therefore always a good idea to have your hair and scalp examined by a specialist, preferably a Consultant Dermatologist who specialises in hair loss. They will be able to provide you with a clinical diagnosis and advise you on any further investigations that are needed, and work with you to create a tailored treatment plan.