Alopecia in women; Baldness - female; Hair loss in women; Androgenic alopecia in women
Symptoms:
Thinning of hair over the entire head
Hair loss at the crown or hairline, mild to moderate
Signs 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.
Hair analysis 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.
Review Date: 5/3/2006
Reviewed By: Michael S. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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