Alopecia in Women C. CAROLYN THIEDKE, M.D., Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina Alopecia can be divided into disorders in which the hair follicle is normal but the cycling of hair growth is abnormal and disorders in which the hair follicle is damaged. Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss in women. Other disorders include alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, cicatricial alopecia, and traumatic alopecias. The diagnosis is usually based on a thorough history and a focused physical examination. In some patients, selected laboratory tests or punch biopsy may be necessary. Topically administered minoxidil is labeled for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia hair loss symptoms anorexia traction in women. Corticosteroids and other agents are typically used in women with alopecia areata. Telogen effluvium is often a self-limited disorder. Because alopecia can be devastating to women, management should include an assessment for psychologic effects. (Am Fam Physician 2003;67:1007-14,1017-8. Copyrightc 2003 American Academy of Family Physicians.) A patient information handout on hair loss in women, written by the author of this article, is provided on page 1017. A PDF version of this document is available. Download PDF now (8 pages /150 KB). More information on using PDF files. Although alopecia can occur anywhere on the body, it is most distressing when it scalp beauty anorexia traction affects the scalp. Hair loss can range from a small bare patch that is easily masked by hairstyling to a more diffuse and obvious pattern. Alopecia in women has been found to have significantly deleterious effects on self-esteem, psychologic well-being, and body image.1,2 See page 907 for definitions of strength-of-evidence levels. Pathophysiology Every hair follicle continually goes through three phases: anagen (growth), catagen (involution, or a brief transition between growth and resting), and telogen (resting).3 Disorders of alopecia can be divided into those in which the hair follicle is normal but the cycling of hair growth is abnormal (e.g., telogen effluvium) and those in which side effects of propecia anorexia traction the hair follicle
