Hair Loss In Women: Common Causes, Diagnosis, And Management

July 2025

Susan L. Mayne, Lynne J. Shannon

female pattern hair loss FPHL scarring hair loss nonscarring hair loss topical medications oral medications natural remedies platelet-rich plasma low-level laser therapy PRP laser therapy

TLDR Early assessment and treatment by healthcare professionals can help manage hair loss in women.

Hair loss in women is a complex issue that can greatly affect their quality of life and mental health. The article emphasizes the role of women's health nurse practitioners in early assessment and referral to dermatologists to prevent progression. It distinguishes between scarring and nonscarring hair loss, with female pattern hair loss (FPHL) being the most prevalent nonscarring type, affecting up to 50% of women over 50. The article details various treatments for FPHL, including both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic options such as topical and oral medications, natural remedies, platelet-rich plasma, and low-level laser therapy.

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Research cited in this study

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Related Community Posts Join

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community If You Have DUPA, PLEASE READ THIS: Everyone Should Be Scalp Biopsied

nkrata in Research 830 upvotes 1 year 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 3 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 I am a dermatologist with a clinical interest in alopecia. AMA

in Will treatment work for me? 3 years ago

In this conversation, 4990 discussed various treatments for hair loss, including oral minoxidil, PRP, transplan, Jak inhibitors, Dutasteride, Finasteride, Olumiant, Ketoconazole, RU58841, microneedling, baricitinib, and CCCA. They recommended scalp biopsies in unclear cases of DUPA, twice weekly to twice daily shampooing for topical minoxidil users, and two sessions spaced one month apart with follow up at month three to determine the effectiveness of PRP treatment.

community Soo.. uhh.. one year... wondering when Dutasteride is going to stop hair loss

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 130 upvotes 2 years ago

User has been on finasteride and switched to Dutasteride 6 months ago, using minoxidil, tretinoin, microneedling, and RU-58841, but still experiencing hair loss. Advice given includes waiting 6-18 months for Dutasteride results and checking if it's definitely MPB.

community For the ladies: Spironolactone for FPHL

in Female 12 upvotes 9 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).

community Spironolactine Update: 2 months (34, Female)

in Female 22 upvotes 9 years ago

A female user's experience using Spironolactone to treat Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) and Androgenic Alopecia, as well as discussing the effectiveness of the drug at different dosages.

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