Almost all women who experience baldness find themselves looking in the mirror, asking “Why me?” What is the cause of baldness in women? It’s not an inappropriate question. Since childhood, us girls were taught to take pride in our appearances. Mothers always combed our hair a certain way and made our pony-tail’s ‘just right.’ Suddenly, something has changed. The hair that we took for granted is falling out. Why? What’s going on?

Current research teaches doctors that something causes a woman’s immune system (white blood cells) to attack the body’s hair follicles. Unfortunately, this ‘something’ has yet to be defined by researchers. There is no known cause for this change in the immune system.

This disorder is known as Alopecia Areata. The condition doesn’t only occur in women. It happens to both men and women of all ages. You’re not alone! Alopecia Areata, one cause of baldness in women, has been reported to be found in four million people around the world.

Typically, Alopecia Areata is onset in childhood. Out of every five people affected by the disorder, one of them has a family history of Alopecia Areata. This information strongly suggests that this form of baldness can be inherited. Unfortunately there is no known measure for prevention.

Not sure you have Alopecia Areata? You should consult your physician for prognosis and treatment. Check to see if you have any or all of the following symptoms:

- Patchy areas of hair are missing
- Circular Alopecia Areata (approximately the size of a quarter) appear
- In extreme cases, eyelashes, eyebrows, nasal hair, and body hair will completely shed.

The importance of consulting a physician can not be stressed enough. While the disorder is not a life-threatening illness, Alopecia Areata can be very challenging on an emotional level. Especially for women and children. It isn’t something that a person can ‘learn to live with.’ Support groups and counseling are encouraged to help you develop a positive self-image.

Without treatment, a woman’s hair may spontaneously grow back. Nevertheless this process may take weeks, months, or even years! Treatment is more effective in milder cases. Treatments come in the form of topical creams oral medications, and/or injections.

The injections are quite painful and are usually repeated on a monthly basis. Young women are usually advised to receive topical treatment and apply it directly to the affected area. Patients should bear in mind, however, that treatment is intended to promote hair re-growth–not stop hair loss.