Sources: Hitzig, Kuntzman, Thompson and Shapiro, Remedio
To understand female baldness you have to know about the
female hormones. The two prime hormones are: Progesterone and
Oestrogen. Oestrogen is a group name for three female hormones:
Estrodoil, Estrial and Estrone. Progesterone is a single hormone and
not a group of hormones. It also helps to know about the female menstrual
cycle because it is related to their hormonal balance.
"Part of this preparation involves the uterine lining becoming thicker and engorged with blood that will nourish the growing embryo. If a fertilized egg is not implanted in the uterus, it sheds its lining resulting in menstruation. The cycle then begins again. Oestrogen is the dominant hormone during the first seven or so days of the cycle, with its level peaking at around day twelve"( http://www.remedio-capilar.com/womenhairloss.htm)
At this point the progesterone hormone becomes the dominant hormone. If the female does not get pregnant within 10-12 days both oestrogen and progesterone levels fall. This triggers menstruation. After females go through menopause oestrogen and progesterone levels are decreased. Female hormones that were existent before the other hormones die and the body has to find other routes for production.
The route
the hormones choose is similar in structure to the male hormone testosterone
and can be converted into the male hormone. The hormonal change results
in a slight masculinisation with hair loss in a male patter e.g. receding
hairline. It can also cause a general thinning of the hair. When
women do not go through the menstrual cycle there is an imbalance and hair
loss is common. "15-20% of women will suffer enough hairloss in their lifetime
as to cause a noticeable thinning"(Hitzig 15)
Common causes
