Female Pattern Hair Loss is an emotionally devastating condition. Unfortunately, 50% of women will experience some degree of hair loss by the age of 60.

The most common form of hair loss in women (Androgenetic Alopecia also known as Female Pattern Hair Loss) occurs in women that are genetically predisposed.

Like any medical condition, early detection is the best practice for prevention.

Prior to the introduction of the HairDX genetic test, the medical diagnosis and prediction of Female Pattern Hair Loss remained a difficult challenge that was met with limited success.

Unlike Male Pattern Hair Loss, “pattern distribution” is not typical for most women with Androgenetic Alopecia. In most cases, for women thinning occurs diffusely without a pattern. Often the frontal hair line is intact, but behind this the scalp becomes visible in the midline. Progressive thinning over time may extend back to the crown area, and often impacts areas on the sides and back of the head, leaving the scalp covered with diffusely thinning hair, but usually no bare areas. Figure illustrates hair loss in women due to Female Pattern Hair Loss.

Because of this lack of a defined pattern one cannot distinguish Female Pattern Hair Loss from other causes of hair loss just by looking at it.

It is important to exclude other causes of hair thinning which can mimic Androgenetic Alopecia in women.

Most women will come to their diagnosis after excluding medically treatable causes such as anemia, thyroid disease, fatty acid deficiency, medication side effects, heavy metal exposure (lead, arsenic, mercury) just to name a few. There are also dermatologic conditions that can look like Androgenetic Alopecia, but require different treatment approaches, so an accurate diagnosis is important.

Proper early prediction and diagnosis of female hair loss is key to saving your hair.

Figure 1. The Ludwig scale for Female Pattern Hair Loss (Androgenetic Alopecia)