Hair loss is a problem often associated with men, but women can experience thinning hair, too. If you've noticed that your hair is beginning to look a little thin, you may be considering treatment options to restore your hair's appearance. Doctors offer a variety of treatments aimed at encouraging hair growth and stopping further thinning.
Identification
Thinning hair in women is caused by a hormonal condition call androgenetic alopecia, or female pattern baldness. If you have androgenetic alopecia, your hair follicles are especially sensitive to dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. DHT is derived from testosterone, a type of androgen, or male hormone, that women have in low levels. The American Hair Loss Association reports that DHT shrinks hair follicles, making it impossible for healthy hair to survive. Women who have female pattern baldness don't develop a bald spot on the top of the head as men with male pattern baldness do, but instead develop thinning hair over large areas of the scalp.
Topical Treatment
Minoxidil, a topical medication applied directly to the scalp, may be helpful in triggering regrowth of hair in problem areas and also slowing hair loss. The American Hair Loss Association reports that while only the 2 percent solution of minoxidil is currently approved for use in women, some dermatologists have been using the stronger 5 percent solution under close supervision.
Using Oral Medications
Using hormone replacement medication may help reduce female hair loss if thinning hair occurs after menopause. If minoxidil is not effective in improving your hair loss, your doctor may suggest that you trying taking the drug spironolactone. While the drug is not specifically approved to treat female hair loss, doctors find it useful in treating androgenetic alopecia in women. MedlinePlus cautions that spironolactone can increase potassium levels in the blood and cannot be used in people with kidney failure or who are pregnant.
Transplanting Healthy Hair
Hair transplants can be effective in women, providing that there is enough healthy donor hair for transplantation. During a hair transplant, your doctor removes small punches or strips of healthy hair and transplants them to problem areas of your scalp. If thinning covers a large area of the scalp, you may still be able to have a hair transplant, but the transplant may not be able to provide the full density of your pre-hair loss appearance, according to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery.
Considerations
If treatment options have been ineffective in improving your hair loss or if you don't want to pursue treatment, you can camouflage your hair loss with hair pieces and creative hair styles. Hairstylists use perms to lift hair and make thinning hair less obvious. If thinning is severe, wearing a hair piece or wig may help you feel more confident about your appearance. MedlinePlus reports that these options are often the least expensive and safest ways to deal with female pattern baldness.
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