Hair Loss in Women NYC - (212) 644-9494 - New York, NY






Family history of male or female pattern baldness Hair loss can occur in women for reasons other than female pattern baldness, including the following:
Breaking of hair (from treatments and twisting or pulling of hair, or hair shaft abnormalities that are present from birth)
Certain skin diseases that lead to scarring of the hair follicles Hormonal abnormalities, such as too much testosterone, or too much or too little thyroid hormone
Iron deficiency Medications such as chemotherapy and beta blockers Patchy hair loss (alopecia areata) Syphilis Temporary shedding of hair (telogen effluvium) after a major illness, surgery, or pregnancy Vitamin deficiency (such as biotin)
Symptoms Hair thinning is different from that of male pattern baldness.
The only drug or medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat female pattern baldness is minoxidil, used on the scalp.
Signs and tests Female pattern baldness is usually diagnosed based on:
Ruling out other causes of hair loss
The appearance and pattern of hair loss Your medical history
The doctor will examine you for other signs of too much male hormone (androgen), such as:
Abnormal new hair growth, such as on the face or between the belly button and pubic area.
The front hairline remains The hair loss rarely progresses to total or near total baldness, as it may in men Itching or skin sores on the scalp are generally NOT seen.
This can cause minor scarring where the hair is removed, and carries a slight risk for skin infection.