An Overview of Female Pattern Hair Loss

    June 2011 in “ Expert Review of Dermatology ”
    Mansi Patel, Alfonso Perez, Rodney Sinclair
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    TLDR Female pattern hair loss involves thinning hair on crown and frontal scalp, diagnosed by hair ratio, and treated with minoxidil, antiandrogens, or hair transplantation.
    This document provides an overview of female pattern hair loss (FPHL), including its clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment options. FPHL is characterized by a reduction in hair density over the crown and frontal scalp, and is often associated with androgen excess. Diagnosis is typically made through clinical examination and scalp biopsy, with a ratio of vellus to terminal hairs of less than 4:1 being indicative of FPHL. Treatment options include topical minoxidil, which is effective in both pre- and post-menopausal women, and antiandrogen therapy with agents such as spironolactone or cyproterone acetate. Hair transplantation can also be a viable option for women who have not had success with pharmacological treatments.
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