The treatment of hair loss in women | Hair loss in women

The treatment of hair loss in women

When treating hair loss, it is important to be aware of the following: A diagnosis or cause of hair loss should be known before any treatment is undertaken. There are many “remedies” that claim to be able to stop hair loss. However, caution is advised when buying such products, especially on the Internet.

They are ineffective and can even be harmful. Have yourself examined by a dermatologist and discuss the further procedure with him or her. There is no general therapy, as hair loss can have many different causes.

In case of a lack of vitamins or iron, a change in diet or taking supplements is usually sufficient. For female androgenetic hair loss, oral antiandrogens such as cyproterone acetate or estrogens applied locally to the scalp can be used. The active ingredient Minoxidil, which is contained in the well-known product “Regaine”, can also be used in women.

The product is applied to the scalp in the form of a foam or spray twice a day. An effect is achieved after about 12 months. However, if you stop taking it, hair loss may reappear after 3 to 4 months.

In the case of circular hair loss in women, there are several treatment options. Steroids, both in local and oral form, are used. Another possibility is an immunotherapy with DCP (diphenylcycloprenone), which may only be carried out by specialized centers. Finally, hair transplantation is also available for the treatment of androgenetic hair loss.

Diagnosis of hair loss in women

If you feel that you are suffering from hair loss, you should consult a dermatologist. This is the specialist for the skin and its appendages, which include hair and nails. The dermatologist closely examines the hair, skin and nails to identify possible causes and the type of hair loss.

Skin changes, for example, indicate fungal diseases or tumors.The clinical epilation test, in which the doctor plucks a hair, shows whether the hair can be plucked out without pain and without force. The examination of the hairy skin with a magnifying glass shows whether hair follicles can still be found. The entire hair pattern of the skin is examined and evaluated.

Important questions about accompanying symptoms, duration and type of hair loss, diseases and medication are asked by the doctor in advance. For women, questions about hormone balance, such as menopausal symptoms, duration and nature of menstruation or the use of hormone preparations are of particular interest. A hair root analysis (trichogram) can help to narrow down the causes and type of hair loss. In some cases, a sample of the scalp (biopsy) is necessary for closer diagnosis. Finally, a blood test can be used to determine iron, thyroid or inflammation levels as well as autoimmune processes.