Most women associate balding with the aging male until they notice their own hair thinning as they enter menopause. Why does this happen and is there any way to treat it? You can find the answers to these questions and many more by reading this article.

What causes Female Pattern Baldness?

Female Pattern Baldness, also called Androgenetic Alopecia, is caused by gradually narrowing hair follicles caused by a hormone in the scalp called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). An enzyme called 5-alpha reductase converts testosterone into DHT, which then binds to androgen receptors on hair follicles and causes them to narrow. Narrowed hair follicles produce thinner and thinner hairs until eventually follicles become so narrow that they cannot produce a hair at all.

Doesn’t Female Pattern Baldness get passed down by the maternal side?

Not necessarily; Female Pattern Baldness is hereditary; but it is thought to result from a combination of genes most likely inherited from either parents, or perhaps both.

When will I start losing hair from Female Pattern Baldness?

Hair loss from Androgenetic Alopecia can start as early as the teen years. However most women don’t notice thinning hair due to the condition until they are 40 or 50, or approaching menopause.

Do all women experience thinning hair after menopause?

Most women have at least a little thinning of hair, potentially caused by things other than Female Pattern Baldness, such as poor nutrition due to an ailing digestive system. It is commonly reported that approximately 40% of women will experience thinning hair by age 50 due to Female Pattern Baldness. This percentage likely increases slowly as age increases.

Why does most hair loss occur after menopause?

After menopause a woman produces significantly less estrogen. Because estrogen is derived from testosterone, less estrogen produced equates to more testosterone being available for conversion into DHT, hence more hair loss.

If I wear a wig or hat to hide my thinning hair will it accelerate my hair loss?

Nope; the light pressure caused by hats and wigs, even when worn regularly, doesn’t cause hair to fall out. Most people associate hats with baldness simply because most people with thinning hair wear them to hide their hair loss.

Are there any natural treatment options for Female Pattern Baldness?

There are many natural and alternative treatments for Female Pattern Baldness, some which have been used traditionally in India and by Native Americans. Hair growth requires many vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in order to occur. Nettle Root Extract is rich in vitamins A and C, both of which are necessary for hair growth. This extract has also been shown to inhibit the action of 5-alpha reductase: the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone into DHT.

Biotin, also called Vitamin B6, has long been prescribed by doctors to supplement medical hair loss treatments. Getting enough iron and zinc is also important for hair growth. Hair loss supplements which contain all of these nutrients exist and can be used as safe and effective methods for naturally treating Female Pattern Baldness.

Find a natural solution for hair loss here.

Sources:
http://www.hairlossinformation.com/hair-loss-in-women/androgenetic-alopecia-women.shtml
http://www.healthology.net/hair-loss/video2200.htm?pg=3
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=androgeneticalopecia
http://ezinearticles.com/?Natural-Hair-Loss-Remedies&id=7931