Hair loss in women under age 30, although not typical, is also not uncommon. In fact, women make up about 40 percent of hair loss sufferers in the United States, according to the American Hair Loss Association (AHLA). Causes can include a medical condition, stress, medication or even pregnancy. It's best to see your doctor if are losing an abnormal amount of hair. In almost all cases, your hair loss will be temporary.
Causes
Alopecia, meaning excessive or abnormal hair loss, in young women is almost always a symptom of a medical condition, reports the AHLA. Hair loss can be caused by a hormonal imbalance, disease, or a temporary condition that affects hormone production, like stress, medication and pregnancy.
Types of Female Hair Loss
Andogenetic alopecia is one of the most common types of hair loss experienced by women under 30. It's characterized by thinning on all areas of the head with very little pattern. Ovarian cysts, birth control pills high in the hormone androgen and pregnancy usually cause andogenetic alopecia. The AHLA reports that heredity also plays a large role in this condition.
Telogen effluvium is a chronic hair-loss disorder that can be caused by a traumatic life event, malnutrition, infection or stress. Hair loss will begin about six weeks to three months after the event that triggered the condition. Telogen effluvium can be curtailed by controlling the factors that caused it.
Traction alopecia is caused by damage to the hair follicles. It can occur by wearing hairstyles that stress the follicle, like cornrows, braids and a tight ponytail. If the follicle is continually stressed over time, hair loss will occur. Only until the stress is consistently relieved will hair grow back without falling out.
Diagnosing Hair Loss
Unlike men, hair loss in young women can have any number of different causes. A panel of tests can determine or eliminate certain disorders that can cause alopecia. Your doctor will check hormone levels, thyroid condition, syphilis screening and a complete blood count. A scalp biopsy, hair pull test and density magnification device may also reveal the cause of your alopecia.
Treatment Considerations
Prescribing medication does have its dangers. The concern is that a systemic treatment (a pill that affects the entire system) can affect androgen levels in the body---which should be prevented if hormone levels do not cause your alopecia. A topical treatment may inhibit hair loss, but it won't necessarily reveal what is causing the condition. Unfortunately, the longer hair loss is left alone, the more damage is done to the hair follicles, which may eventually be destroyed.
Treatment Choices
Minoxidil 2% (Rogaine) is an over-the-counter topical medication that can cause excessive hair growth. The AHLA reports that 19 percent of female minoxidil users had moderate hair growth after eight months. Nineteen percent had moderate regrowth, and 40 percent had minimal regrowth. Results were compared with those of subjects who took a placebo.
A surgical scalp reduction can remove parts of the scalp that are most prone to chronic hair loss. The space surgically removed is replaced with scalp that has healthy hair growth.
A monthly corticosteroid injection can kick-start hair growth. Although corticosteroids are available in gels and creams, experts believe that injections work better.
Finasteride (Propecia) was the first drug approved by the FDA to treat male hair loss. According to the AHLA, it also works well in preventing female hair loss and causing hair growth. Propecia works by preventing the production of the hormone that shrinks hair follicles. Since it can have severe side effects in pregnant women, the Mayo Clinic does not suggest using finasteride if you plan to have children.
The least invasive treatment for hair loss is to wear a wig or hairpiece. This treatment is recommended for those who have not responded to other treatments and those whose hair loss is likely to be an untreatable genetic condition.
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