Understanding Causes of Hair Loss in Women

    May 2021 in “ Dermatologic Clinics ”
    Neil S. Sadick, Suleima Arruda
    Image of study
    TLDR The conclusion is that hair loss in women is caused by a mix of hormonal, environmental, and genetic factors, and treatments should target these various causes.
    Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is a condition affecting around 20% of adult women in the U.S., with a higher prevalence in White women and often starting post-menopause. The causes of FPHL are complex, involving hormonal, environmental, and genetic factors that lead to microinflammation and oxidative stress. Androgens, stress hormones like cortisol, UV radiation, pollutants, and lifestyle choices all contribute to the condition. Treatments should focus on the multifaceted nature of hair loss, targeting inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormonal imbalances. New therapies such as platelet-rich plasma, low-level laser therapy, and nutraceuticals are promising as they address multiple aspects of hair loss and aim to improve the immune response. The document suggests a shift in treatment strategies to encompass the broader pathophysiology of hair loss.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    22 / 22 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 1000+ results

      community For the ladies: Spironolactone for FPHL

      in Female  15 upvotes 7 years ago
      A 34 year old female with androgenic alopecia who has tried treatments such as Spironolactone, Desogen, Minoxidil and Finasteride in order to address her hair loss. It also details the experiences of other women taking Spironolactone for Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL).
      Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

      community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

      in Research  692 upvotes 4 months ago
      Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

      community One+ year 1mg Fin, Ketoconazole, and 3.75 Oral Min. I have DUPA. Switched from Topical to Oral Min.

      in Progress Pictures  142 upvotes 2 years ago
      A user's experience with hair loss treatments such as finasteride, ketoconazole, and oral minoxidil that have not yielded any results; other users suggest shaving the head or getting a wig, while others offer additional advice such as seeing a dermatologist, checking thyroid levels, switching to dutasteride and adding needling, and trying stemoxydine.

      community Finasteride 5mg for female pattern hair loss

      in Female  7 upvotes 4 years ago
      The user's experience of using Finasteride 5mg and Aldactone 50mg to treat Female Pattern Hair Loss, as well as their use of PRP injections for further hair growth.

      community Spironolactone Update

      in Female  11 upvotes 7 years ago
      A woman's experience with Spironolactone as treatment for female pattern hair loss, including the effects of increasing dosage and her doctor's recommendation to try finasteride if no results are seen after 6 months. Other users have also shared their experiences with using finasteride for this condition.

      community Got my DHT levels checked. 38 year old female. Still losing hair.

      in Female  10 upvotes 7 months ago
      A 38-year-old female is experiencing hair loss despite having almost undetectable DHT levels after using dutasteride. Suggestions include checking for PCOS, thyroid issues, adjusting diet, considering the impact of birth control, and trying treatments like tretinoin, redensyl, retinol, and minoxidil with derma stamping.

    Related Research

    9 / 9 results