Prevalence of Female Pattern Hair Loss in Postmenopausal Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

February 2022 in “ Menopause ”

Sukanya Chaikittisilpa, Nattiya Rattanasirisin, Ratchathorn Panchaprateep, Nalina Orprayoon, P Phutrakul, Ammarin Suwan, Unnop Jaisamrarn

female pattern hair loss FPHL Ludwig grades postmenopausal women body mass index BMI menopause hair loss hair thinning

TLDR Over half of postmenopausal women experience hair loss, with severity increasing with age, time since menopause, and higher body mass index.

The cross-sectional study involved 178 postmenopausal women aged between 50 and 65 years, and aimed to identify the prevalence of female pattern hair loss (FPHL), hair characteristics, and associated factors. The study found that the prevalence of FPHL was 52.2% (95% CI, 44.6-59.8). The severity of FPHL by Ludwig grades I, II, and III was 73.2% (95% CI, 62.9-81.8), 22.6% (95% CI, 14.6-32.4), and 4.3% (95% CI, 1.2-10.7), respectively. Age, time since menopause, and body mass index were all significantly associated with FPHL. After adjusting for age and family history of FPHL, only body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 was significantly associated with FPHL (adjusted OR = 2.65, 95% CI, 1.23-5.70). The study concluded that the prevalence of FPHL was high in postmenopausal women, highlighting the need for hair loss awareness in menopause clinics.

View this study on journals.lww.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

16 / 16 results

research Getting Under the Skin of Hair Aging: The Impact of the Hair Follicle Environment

20 citations, May 2020 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Aging scalp skin contributes to hair aging and loss, and more research is needed to develop better hair loss treatments.

research Female Pattern Hair Loss and Androgen Excess: A Report From the Multidisciplinary Androgen Excess and PCOS Committee

49 citations, February 2019 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Use "female pattern hair loss" term, assess androgen excess, treat with minoxidil and other medications if needed.

research Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Clinical, Pathophysiologic, and Therapeutic Review

66 citations, June 2018 in “International Journal of Women's Dermatology”

No cure for female pattern hair loss, but various effective treatments exist.

research Prevalence of Dermatologic Manifestations and Metabolic Biomarkers in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in North China

17 citations, September 2017 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Women with PCOS in North China often have hirsutism and acne, with hirsutism linked to metabolic issues.

Rotterdam Criteria–Based Diagnostic Subtype Is Not a Strong Predictor of Cutaneous Phenotype in Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study

research Rotterdam Criteria–Based Diagnostic Subtype Is Not a Strong Predictor of Cutaneous Phenotype in Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study

2 citations, June 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

The type of PCOS a woman has doesn't strongly predict her skin or metabolic symptoms; obesity is a more important factor.

Prevalence of Androgenic Alopecia in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Characterization of Associated Clinical and Biochemical Features

research Prevalence of Androgenic Alopecia in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Characterization of Associated Clinical and Biochemical Features

48 citations, February 2014 in “Fertility and Sterility”

Women with PCOS often have hair loss, which is linked to acne or excess body hair but not to worse hormone or metabolic issues.

research Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Review Article

57 citations, October 2013 in “international journal of endocrinology and metabolism”

Female pattern hair loss is common, linked to polycystic ovarian syndrome, and treated with topical Minoxidil.

research Factors Associated With Female Pattern Hair Loss And Its Prevalence In Taiwanese Women: A Community-Based Survey

33 citations, November 2012 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

FPHL common in Taiwanese women; risk factors include BMI, high glucose, early puberty, fewer childbirths, oral contraceptives, and UV exposure.

research Prevalence of Androgenetic Alopecia in China: A Community-Based Study in Six Cities

126 citations, January 2010 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Baldness is more common in Chinese men than women, increasing with age, and is influenced by genetics.

research Follicular Miniaturization in Female Pattern Hair Loss: Clinicopathological Correlations

100 citations, June 2006 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Hair loss severity relates to increased miniaturization in female pattern hair loss.

research Prevalence of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss in Maryborough

193 citations, August 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

Hair loss common in Australia; men affected earlier, more often than Asians; women less concerned.

research Female Pattern Hair Loss

30 citations, October 2002 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Use "female pattern hair loss" term, finasteride may help, more research needed.

research The Prevalence and Types of Androgenetic Alopecia in Korean Men and Women

157 citations, July 2001 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

AGA more common in men, Koreans have lower rates and unique patterns.

research Hair Density, Hair Diameter, and the Prevalence of Female Pattern Hair Loss

234 citations, February 2001 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

FPHL affects hair density and diameter, causing visible hair loss in older women.

research Patterned Androgenic Alopecia in Women

130 citations, May 1988 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

"Male-pattern" hair loss is common in women, especially after menopause, and doesn't always mean there's a problem with hormone balance.

research Classification of the Types of Androgenetic Alopecia (Common Baldness) Occurring in the Female Sex

666 citations, September 1977 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Common baldness, also known as Androgenetic Alopecia, is caused by a combination of genetic factors and hormones called androgens.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

in Research 692 upvotes 4 months ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community Diagnosed with female pattern hair loss as a male with recent aggressive loss. Preemptively mourning the only part of myself I’ve ever come close to loving. Lost all motivation to do anything with my life.

in Progress Pictures 271 upvotes 1 year ago

The conclusion of the conversation is that the user should consider using treatments such as finasteride, minoxidil, and RU58841 to potentially reverse their hair loss. Other suggestions include using hair loss concealers and maintaining a healthy diet.

community Spironolactine Update: 2 months (34, Female)

in Female 20 upvotes 7 years ago

A female user's experience using Spironolactone to treat Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) and Androgenic Alopecia, as well as discussing the effectiveness of the drug at different dosages.

community For the ladies: Spironolactone for FPHL

in Female 15 upvotes 7 years ago

A 34 year old female with androgenic alopecia who has tried treatments such as Spironolactone, Desogen, Minoxidil and Finasteride in order to address her hair loss. It also details the experiences of other women taking Spironolactone for Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL).

community One+ year 1mg Fin, Ketoconazole, and 3.75 Oral Min. I have DUPA. Switched from Topical to Oral Min.

in Progress Pictures 142 upvotes 2 years ago

A user's experience with hair loss treatments such as finasteride, ketoconazole, and oral minoxidil that have not yielded any results; other users suggest shaving the head or getting a wig, while others offer additional advice such as seeing a dermatologist, checking thyroid levels, switching to dutasteride and adding needling, and trying stemoxydine.

community Finasteride 5mg for female pattern hair loss

in Female 7 upvotes 4 years ago

The user's experience of using Finasteride 5mg and Aldactone 50mg to treat Female Pattern Hair Loss, as well as their use of PRP injections for further hair growth.

Related Research

7 / 7 results

research Sisaipho Alopecia Areata Treated With Tofacitinib and Oral Minoxidil

1 citations, August 2022 in “JAAD case reports”

Tofacitinib and oral minoxidil may help treat Sisaipho alopecia areata.

research Hair Loss in Children: A Clinicoetiological Study from South India

November 2021 in “International Journal of Trichology”

The study found the causes and patterns of hair loss in children from South India.

research Treating Resistant Cases of Alopecia Universalis

May 2018 in “Journal of cosmetology & trichology”

Combining platelet-rich plasma therapy with prostaglandin-F eye drops can significantly regrow hair in alopecia universalis.

Higher Body Mass Index Is Associated With Greater Severity of Alopecia in Men With Male-Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia in Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Study

research Higher Body Mass Index Is Associated With Greater Severity of Alopecia in Men With Male-Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia in Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Study

December 2013

Men with higher body mass index (BMI) in Taiwan tend to have more severe hair loss.

research Hormonal Changes in Menopause: Do They Contribute to a Midlife Hair Crisis in Women?

38 citations, December 2011 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Menopause-related hormonal changes affect hair but are not the only cause of hair changes in middle-aged women.

research Physiological Changes in Scalp, Facial, and Body Hair After Menopause: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study of Subjective Changes

10 citations, December 2010 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

After menopause, some women lose scalp hair and gain facial hair, with patterns suggesting different underlying causes.

research A Survey of the Status of Hair Loss Product Use, Hair Loss Treatment, and Satisfaction Level

2 citations, January 2007 in “Journal of Fashion Business”

Most people with hair loss haven't used treatment products and are only somewhat satisfied with their options, highlighting a need for better management programs and marketing.