15/05/2026
Welcome to another series of Health Wins💚
Today, we’ll be talking about” Female Pattern Hair Loss”.
When you see an elderly woman, never laugh at her appearance, because she was once as young, beautiful, and vibrant as you are today. Sometimes, we look at our mothers or older women and notice that they have lost the hair at the front or crown of their scalp, especially after childbirth or due to old age, but we rarely stop to ask what they have been through.
These are some of the silent struggles many women face that nobody really talks about.
Today, we will be looking critically at Female Pattern Hair Loss, also known as Androgenetic Alopecia. It is a type of hair loss associated with the male hormone called androgen. It mainly affects the crown and frontal part of the scalp.
Female Pattern Hair Loss is classified into three grades:
Grade 1:
This is the thinning of hair at the crown, limited in the front by a line about 1–3 cm behind the frontal hairline.
Grade 2:
There is a more pronounced reduction and thinning of hair on the crown within the same area seen in Grade 1.
Grade 3:
This is the most severe stage, involving almost complete baldness or total loss of hair within the areas seen in Grades 1 and 2.
Hair loss in women is associated with significant psychological and emotional effects. The hair becomes finer, hair density reduces, and the scalp becomes more visible. As a result, many women begin to struggle with low self-esteem, anxiety, and even depression.
Studies have shown that 12% of ladies between the ages of 20–25years already experience Female Pattern Hair Loss, while about 50% of women may experience it by the age of 80.
Now let us look at some of the causes.
Female Pattern Hair Loss can be caused by:
• Hormonal imbalance
• Postpartum changes after childbirth
• Aging
• Nutritional deficiencies such as low iron
• Illnesses like thyroid disorders
• Conditions such as PCOS (Polycystic O***y Syndrome) and ovarian cysts
• Genetic or inherited factors
What are the signs?
• Excessive hair shedding during bathing or combing
• Gradual thinning of hair
• Visible scalp, especially around the crown area
Now, let’s look at ways to manage or treat it.
• Eating healthy diets rich in iron and essential nutrients
• Making protective hairstyles or braids that reduce tension on the hair
• Seeking medical help, especially if it is associated with irregular menstruation, acne, or excess facial hair
Some medications that may also be prescribed include:
• Anti-androgens
• Topical Minoxidil
These treatments often need to be continued for a long period of time to maintain improvement.
As women, our hair is often connected to our beauty, confidence, and femininity. So when hair loss happens, it can deeply affect emotions and mental health, leading to social withdrawal, low confidence, anxiety, and depression.
The aim of this teaching is not to create fear, but to prepare the minds of young ladies for changes that may occur with age or after childbirth, and also to encourage our mothers and women around us to cope better by eating healthy, seeking help early, and following prescribed treatments.
Remember:
Hair loss does not reduce a woman’s worth, strength, or beauty.
Let us learn to support, encourage, and educate one another instead of judging in silence.
👍Kindly share to a young lady to inform her and a mother to encourage her😊