Women’s Hair Loss Part 1: Who Do I Turn to for My Hair Loss Problems?

Hair loss is supposed to be a problem that only aging men face, right? Wrong. Women also experience hair loss for a multitude of reasons including: genetics (androgenetic alopecia), hormonal changes (i.e. – menopause, birth control, and thyroid conditions), physical or emotional stress, ongoing illness, anemia, rapid weight loss, and certain medications. In fact, according to Dr. Edmond Griffin, female hair loss patients at his practice have tripled in the past decade. Since women’s hair loss is such a taboo topic, women struggle to know who to turn to when their hair starts falling out.

Hair loss can be a problem with women on hormone replacement when the hormone replacement includes a small dose of testosterone, particularly if she has genetic pattern hair loss. It is important for these women to use preventative hair loss medicines. Propecia® fills the need for men and will do the same for most women who are past child-bearing years.

Women facing hair loss may start discussing their problems with their hair stylist.  While trained stylists know a good bit about hair in general, they may not be familiar with the conditions that cause it.  A doctor will most likely employ a simple blood test and physical examination to pinpoint the hair loss cause.  But, if your hair loss is not a symptom of a major body system abnormality, you may need to seek the expertise of someone with more specialized medical knowledge.

An endocrinologist, or gynecologist with a strong endocrinology background, is a specialist in hormonal disorders, and may be able to better identify the problem or direct you to a better-suited specialist.  If the condition does not seem directly linked to a hormone fluctuation or imbalance, your endocrinologist may refer you to a dermatologist.  Unlike endocrinologist whose knowledge is very specific, most dermatologists are trained to understand and treat a broader spectrum of issues involving skin, hair, and nails.   Women suffering from hair loss should seek a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in hair loss disorders, specifically, female-pattern hair loss.

If you’ve exhausted medical opinions, a trichologist, or hair expert (non-medical) may be able to provide non-medical approaches for optimal hair growth. A trichologist will give you advice on diet, nutritional supplements, hygiene, and various other approaches.  It’s important when working with a trichologist that you only select one who works closely with a doctor.  Doing so limits the risk of employing a treatment that could negatively affect any existing medical conditions.

Doing research online may also help you answer some questions you have initially.  However, use caution when researching hair loss online because the internet is full of people who claim to have the miracle cure. Because hair loss has so many causes, there is no one cure.

This may all seem like an overwhelming who’s who of hair loss, but Dr. Griffin of the Griffin Center of Hair Restoration and Research will be authoring a series on the subject of women’s hair loss to enlighten patients with the condition.  Having seen countless cases of hair loss in men, women, and children; Dr. Griffin will take the necessary steps to find a specific solution for you. There are solutions to hair loss: it starts with finding the right doctor.

For more information on women’s hair loss, visit Dr. Griffin’s website and read his blog as he continues to discuss female-pattern hair loss and female hair loss solutions.

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