Female pattern baldness
Alternative Names
Alopecia in women; Baldness - female; Hair loss in women; Androgenic alopecia in womenSymptoms
- Thinning of hair over the entire head
- Hair loss at the crown or hairline, mild to moderate
Exams and Tests
Female pattern baldness is usually diagnosed based on the appearance and pattern of hair loss and by ruling out other causes of hair loss.
A skin biopsy or other procedures may be used to diagnose medical disorders that cause loss of hair.
Analysis of the hair itself is not accurate for diagnosing nutritional or similar causes of hair loss, although it may reveal substances such as arsenic or lead.
References
Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby, Inc. 2004:844.
Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. St Louis, Mo; Mosby; 2005:677-679.
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