A new study published in JAMA Dermatology involving nearly 500,000 Black women reveals a striking association: women with a specific type of hair loss known as alopecia have significantly higher odds of also having uterine fibroids, a common gynecologic condition.
One form of alopecia particularly seen in women of African descent is central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA). This form of scarring hair loss is believed to result from chronic, low-grade inflammation that leads to irritation and eventual destruction of the hair follicle. Over time, oxygen levels drop locally, and fibrosis develops around the follicles, leading to permanent hair loss.
When hair loss signals other health issues
Importantly, this pattern of inflammation is not limited to the scalp. The same fibrotic response is seen in other conditions disproportionately affecting Black women, including uterine fibroids, keloids, and atherosclerosis. Each involves tissue remodeling driven by chronic inflammation and excess collagen deposition.
This means that interventions aimed at reducing systemic inflammation could play a broader role—not only in preserving hair health but also in lowering the risk of fibroids, heart disease, and abnormal scar formation.
Because early-stage fibroids often cause no symptoms, it may be reasonable to consider pelvic ultrasound screening in women with unexplained hair loss, especially those with known or suspected CCCA.
For patients experiencing hair thinning or scalp symptoms, a consultation is strongly advised. At Women’s Health Practice we recommend blood testing for nutritional issues, and complete gynecological work up. AS for therapy there are medications that may help. In some cases, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy or now PGDF+ the syntheic that outperforms PRP offers regenerative benefit when inflammation is caught early.
