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Although baldness is usually common among men, a significant percentage of women also experience this condition. While both sexes are susceptible to hair loss, there are certain points of distinction on how pattern baldness occurs from male to female.
These points of distinction need to be examined and understand carefully because they serve as crucial elements in finding the best treatment that could help prevent its onset at the same time promote the growth of healthier hair.
The two major differences are: triggering factor that causes the onset of the problem and the age bracket when hair loss occurs.
1. The triggering factor that causes the onset of pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia).
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is considered the primary cause of male and female pattern baldness. When DHT attaches itself to the receptor sites of the follicle, it hinders the flow of blood and nutrients from reaching the hair roots. The lack of nourishment and oxygenated blood causes the hair follicles to miniaturize, producing finer or thinner hair strands. Oftentimes, the miniaturization process may lead to the hair follicle’s dormancy or, worse, death.
Male Pattern Baldness: Men, in general, are more at risk of hair loss since they produce greater amount of testosterone, which is the main constituent in the production of DHT. Other potential risk factors are: excessive smoking and drinking; stress; high blood pressure; and ailments.
Female Pattern Baldness: In women, testosterone comes in smaller quantities because it is kept in check by the female hormone known as estrogen. However, when the estrogen levels drop, testosterone will freely interact with the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, producing DHT. Other potential risk factors are: malnutrition; low immunity; stress; hormonal imbalance (e.g., pregnancy and menopause); and drugs (e.g., birth control pills).
2. The age bracket when the pattern baldness occurs.
Both men and women tend to lose their hair as they get older. In fact, the severity and the frequency of pattern hair loss will increase with age.
Male Pattern Baldness: Men begin to experience hair thinning problems at the early years of their adolescence. After puberty, 25% of men in their 20s, 40% of men in their 40s, and 50% of men in their 50s will suffer from various stages of pattern baldness.
Female Pattern Baldness: In women, around 40% within the age bracket of 50 will show signs of hair loss and less than 45% will actually reach the age of 80 without experiencing hair thinning problems.
