Androgenetic alopecia is a common medical condition. It affects more than 20 million females in the United States alone, and almost half of those women are under the age of 40. Angrogenetic Alopecia is a form of hair loss, and the associated emotional stresses caused by that hair loss can have a serious negative impact on the self esteem and well being of sufferers.
Androgenetic Alopecia is different from male hair loss in that it does not always have a straightforward cause. Treating androgenetic hair loss is not easy, but there are some things that can be done to slow the progress and restore the hair to its normal, healthy and thick state in some cases.
If the hair loss is identified when it is still in the early stages and the hair is simply thinning, then the hair loss can be managed via growth stimulants. The growth stimulants do not treat the cause of the hair loss, rather they mask the symptoms by encouraging new hair to grow. This is a good short-term measure but it should not be the primary form of treatment used in the long term.
Identifying the Causes of Hair Loss
Doctors can run a series of tests to identify the causes of hair loss in women. The good news is that most causes of hair loss are conditions that can be treated, and hair growth will return to normal once the condition or cause is under control. Common causes of hair loss in women include an overactive thyroid, hormonal imbalances during pregnancy or the menopause, and genetic responses to auto-immune conditions. Once the condition has been identified, treatment may begin.
Treatments for hair loss can include anti-inflammatories, anti-androgens and androgen blockers, as well as the growth stimulants mentioned earlier. In many cases, doctors may advocate the use of all three. The growth stimulant will encourage hair to grow back, while an anti-inflammatory shampoo keeps your scalp healthy and makes it easier for the hair to grow. Meanwhile, anti-androgens or androgen blockers inhibit the hormone activity in your scalp, preventing further hair loss.
If you have a thyroid problem or a hormonal imbalance then your doctor may prescribe medications to address that issue as well. Hormone replacement therapies can be incredibly effective at managing a range of medical conditions, and will help you to stay generally fit and healthy.
Over the Counter Treatments
It can be tempting to simply purchase an over the counter treatment to manage thinning hair, and there is a good chance that the treatment will work for a while. However, the possibility that your androgenetic alopecia is caused by an underlying medical condition should not be ignored. Speak to your dermatologist and your doctor, and request a series of tests to make sure that you do not have an underlying medical condition. If your tests come back normal, you will have peace of mind, and if a condition is identified then you will be grateful for the chance to have it treated.