Female Pattern Baldness in the 20s: Hair Fall Causes and Cures

Excessive hair fall can be distressing for anyone, but it is even more emotionally troubling for younger women. Hair is often considered the crowning glory of a woman, and to start losing it at an early age can leave one desolate. Around one-third of women experience some form of hair-loss at some time in their life. Severe hair loss is typically more common in postmenopausal women.

Unfortunately, in the contemporary world, female pattern baldness in the 20s is also becoming increasingly common. There could be many causes for hair fall in young women.. The good news is, there are also many effective remedies available to tackle female pattern baldness in the 20s.Unfortunately, in the contemporary world,

There could be several possible causes for hair fall in young women, as listed below:

1. Childbirth

Many women report severe shedding of hair shortly after giving birth to a baby. This could be caused by the fall in the level of estrogen after childbirth.

2. Medical conditions

Hair fall could be caused by several underlying medical conditions, such as thyroid disease, PCOD/PCOS, anemia, and ringworm. Young women in their 20s who have PCOS are more at risk for female pattern hair loss due to hormonal imbalance. Another medical condition that leads to severe hair loss could be alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that attacks hair follicles, causing hair to fall out in excess.

3. Birth control pills

Taking hormonal birth control pills can lead to severe hair loss in some women. This hair loss can be reversed by shifting to another non-hormonal method of contraception.

4. Nutritional deficiencies

Women in their 20s who are deficient in iron may experience hair loss. Deficiency in certain vitamins and minerals can also lead to severe hair fall.

5. Certain hairstyles

Pulling back your hair in a tight ponytail, using too many chemical styling products, and excessive use of heat styling tools on your hair can make it weak and prone to shedding.

6. Eating disorders

Young women who suffer from eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia are at risk for hair loss due to nutritional deficiencies.

A proper diagnosis of female pattern baldness in the 20s is required before your dermatologist can prescribe a suitable hair growth treatment regime. Numerous conditions can trigger hair loss in women. Here are some common methods of hair loss diagnosis.

1. Blood tests

To pinpoint the specific cause of hair fall, your doctor may recommend a blood test to check the levels of serum iron, serum ferritin, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). Tests to measure the levels of testosterone, androstenedione, thyroid-stimulating hormone, prolactin, and the luteinizing hormone may also be prescribed.

2. Scalp exam

Your dermatologist will examine your scalp to look for any signs of infection or inflammation that might be causing your hair to fall out. They may use a densitometer to check for miniaturization of the hair shaft.

3. Pull test

Your dermatologist may gently pull a small bunch of hair (around 100 strands) to see how many fall out. Loss of one to three hair strands per pull is considered normal. If more than three strands come out, then the patient is suffering from excess hair fall.

4. Scalp biopsy

Skin samples from a small section of the scalp, usually 4 mm in diameter, are taken and sent to a lab for testing. This enables your doctor to understand the cause of hair loss better.

Once the cause of the hair fall in a young woman in her 20s has been determined, various methods of treatment can be considered. Some popular hair loss treatments for women are as follows:

1. Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a CDSCO-approved medication used for treating Minoxidil is a CDSCO-approved medication used for treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA). It is applied topically to the affected areas to prevent further hair loss and promote the growth of new hair strands. Available on prescription from a dermatologist, products with minoxidil could be effective in treating AGA in younger people and might be suitable for treating female pattern baldness in the 20s.

2. Treating the underlying cause

Doctors may prescribe anti-androgens to combat excessive hair fall in women in their 20s suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) However, keep in mind that they can lead to side effects like weight gain, loss of libido, and fatigue.

3. Corticosteroids

To treat Alopecia Areata in the 20s, doctors may recommend topical corticosteroid drops or corticosteroid injections to stop the hair loss and speed up recovery. However, the positive effects of corticosteroids are often only temporary, and the use of these steroids may lead to side effects like acne, weight gain, and menstrual problems. The treatment should be taken under supervision of a dermatologist only after consultation,

4. Iron supplements

Sometimes, iron deficiency in women of child-bearing age can cause hair loss. Your doctor may order a blood test to determine if you are deficient in iron. Women with heavy menstrual bleeding are more at risk for hair loss caused by iron deficiency. If you are found to be deficient in iron, your doctor may prescribe supplements. Please don’t take any supplements without a doctor’s prescription.

Female pattern baldness in the 20s is becoming increasingly common nowadays. Experiencing severe hair loss can cause great emotional distress to young women. Thankfully, there are several ways of effectively tackling hair loss in young women. If you are experiencing excessive hair fall, do consult your doctor so that they can properly diagnose the reason behind it. Ensure that you follow the appropriate treatment regime suggested by your doctor, and use only the medications prescribed by them.