In the Old Testament, it was Samson who lost his strength when he lost his hair. In the modern world, women are the ones who stand to suffer the most from hair loss.

“I really don’t splurge on facials or massages but losing my hair made me feel old,” says 44-year-old Lois Alberts, an attractive blonde who runs a photographic studio with her husband. “It’s not a stigma for men but I don’t see too many women walking around with shaved heads. I’m not a Sinead O’Connor.”

Alberts has what is commonly thought of as a man’s problem: male pattern baldness, presumably inherited from her mother, who has already lost much of her hair.

“It’s probably more common than people realize,” says Adelaide A. Hebert, M.D., professor of dermatology at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. “It’s a great concern for female patients who have it. It’s a mysterious condition but there’s some genetic influence, especially if there is a strong history in women in the family.”

However, a woman who believes she is losing her hair shouldn’t assume she has male pattern baldness. Losing hair could be an indication of serious conditions including anemia, thyroid disease and lupus, all of which should be ruled out by a physician.

Some medications, a hormone imbalance, child birth, blood loss or a surgical procedure may also cause hair loss. Alopecia, a condition in which a person develops an allergy to his or her own hair follicle, will cause bald patches.

“It’s very important to convey to the dermatologist all of the components of your medical history,” Hebert says. “You should disclose all medications and hair products.”

Blood work, a scalp biopsy and a “hair-pull test” will help a dermatologist discover the cause of the hair loss.

“I noticed two months ago that while I was shampooing my hair, it was just falling out into my hands and unfortunately, it’s right at the front where it’s the most noticeable,” Alberts says. “I was hoping they would find something askew in my blood tests like a hormone imbalance and be able to fix that.”

In Alberts’ case, she was diagnosed by Hebert as having male pattern baldness. But there is something she can do to slow or even halt the progression: use Minoxidil, also known as Rogaine, twice daily. It comes in a two percent strength for women and a five percent strength for men, but women can also safely use the higher dose, Hebert says.

“In male pattern baldness, the hair follicles go to sleep. If you can get them to reawaken in time, the hair will grow back,” Hebert says.

While there is no medical proof yet, using a shampoo with Nioxin is also often recommended by dermatologists. Nioxin is a trademarked hair treatment line that uses botanicals and herbs in its formula.

To lessen any trauma to the hair, which could exacerbate the problem, Hebert advises that women not wear tight rubber bands in their hair and try to use wide bristle combs that will have less of a tendency to pull the hair. They should also avoid hot combs because of the traction on the hair and hot oil treatments, which can sometimes burn the scalp and cause permanent hair loss. Coloring the hair safely can help thicken individual hairs while a gentle permanent can help disguise a balding scalp.

A balanced diet, including sufficient protein, is important.

“You need protein to make hair and nails,” Hebert explains. “The body preserves the protein for internal organs so the hair gets sacrificed.”

Hebert says early intervention is crucial.

“The earlier you seek help, the better the outcome can be,” Hebert says. “For a woman, a healthy head of hair is part of feeling good about herself."

Last Updated: 1-17-2007