Hair Loss in Women

The document from 2012 provides an overview of hair loss in women, detailing that up to 50% of women in the United States may experience significant hair loss by age 50. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is highlighted as the most common cause, affecting up to 40% of women by menopause, and is treatable with FDA-approved Minoxidil and off-label Finasteride. Other forms of hair loss discussed include Telogen Effluvium, often stress-related and usually reversible within 6 months, and Alopecia Areata (AA), an autoimmune condition with a 2% incidence rate that may spontaneously resolve in up to 50% of cases but often recurs. Treatments for AA include intralesional corticosteroids and topical minoxidil. The document also covers Traction Alopecia from tight hairstyles, Tinea Capitis requiring antifungal treatment, Trichotillomania managed with behavioral therapy or medication, and Anagen Effluvium typically caused by chemotherapy. The role of obstetricians/gynecologists in the initial evaluation and management of hair loss or referral to specialists is emphasized.