Before we review a number of treatment choices available to female hair loss patients, it is important to recognize that in women, as well as men, disparate factors can cause scalp hair loss.  These factors include underlying genetic susceptibility, hormonal changes, epigenetic factors, local inflammation, defects in hair cycling, defects in hair morphology, immunologic triggers, and so on.  Thus, for example, the treatment for alopecia areata (AA) will differ markedly from appropriate treatment choices used to address androgenetic alopecia (AGA).  

As unfair as pattern hair loss seems to be, at least when it affects a man, society generally accepts bald men as a normal part thereof.  However, balding women constitute another matter altogether.  Stares and whispers often accompany such a woman as she goes about her daily tasks.  "What is wrong with this poor lady?".  "Is she sick?". For such women, just glancing in a mirror, previously a chance to preen, to enjoy a moment of pride, turns to gut-wrenching shame and, sometimes self-loathing.