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).  

In our previous installment, we laid the groundwork for hair loss that affects women.  In this chapter we will focus upon the various forms of hair loss women experience, and further on we will discuss treatment options.  Finally, we will culminate with an overview to explore the cutting edge of hair loss research.