Female Pattern BaldnessSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Female Pattern Baldness
Female pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss in women.
Alopecia in women; Baldness - female; Hair loss in women; Androgenetic alopecia in women; Hereditary balding or thinning in women
Each strand of hair passes through a tiny hole in the skin from its root which is called a hair follicle. In general, baldness occurs when the hair follicle shrinks over time, resulting in shorter and finer hair. Eventually, the follicle does not grow new hair. The follicles remain alive, which suggests that it is still possible to grow new hair.
The reason for female pattern baldness is not well understood, but may be related to:
- Aging
- Changes in the levels of androgens (hormones that can stimulate male features)
- Family history of male or female pattern baldness
- Heavy loss of blood during menstrual periods
- Certain medicines, such as estrogenic oral contraceptives
Hair thinning is different from that of male pattern baldness. In female pattern baldness:
- Hair thins mainly on the top and crown of the scalp. It usually starts with a widening through the center hair part. This pattern of hair loss is known as the Christmas tree pattern.
- The front hairline remains unaffected except for normal recession, which happens to everyone as time passes.
- The hair loss rarely progresses to total or near total baldness, as it may in men.
- If the cause is increased androgens, hair on the head is thinner while hair on the face is coarser.
Itching or skin sores on the scalp are generally not seen.
Untreated, hair loss in female pattern baldness is permanent. In most cases, hair loss is mild to moderate. You do not need treatment if you are comfortable with your appearance.
MEDICINES
The only medicine approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat female pattern baldness is minoxidil:
- It is applied to the scalp.
- For women, the 2% solution or 5% foam is recommended.
- Minoxidil may help hair grow in about 1 in 4 or 5 women. In most women, it may slow or stop hair loss.
- You must continue to use this medicine for a long time. Hair loss starts again when you stop using it. Also, the hair that it helps grow will fall out.
If minoxidil does not work, your provider may recommend other medicines or treatments, such as vitamins, spironolactone, birth control pills, ketoconazole shampoo, platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) injections, and laser treatments. Your provider can tell you more about these if needed.
HAIR TRANSPLANT
This procedure can be effective in females:
- Who do not respond well to medical treatment
- With no significant cosmetic improvement from their treatment
During a hair transplant, tiny plugs of hair are removed from areas where hair is thicker, and placed (transplanted) in areas that are balding. Minor scarring may occur where hair is removed. There is a slight risk of skin infection. You will likely need many transplants, which can be expensive. However, the results can be excellent and permanent.
OTHER SOLUTIONS
Hair weaving, hairpieces, or a change in hairstyle can help hide hair loss and improve your appearance. This is most often the least expensive and safest way to deal with female pattern baldness.
Virendra Sehgal practices practicing medicine in Delhi, India. Sehgal is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Female Pattern Baldness. They are also highly rated in 7 other conditions, according to our data. Their clinical expertise encompasses Female Pattern Baldness, Erythroderma, Exfoliative Dermatitis, and Cavernous Lymphangioma.
Avera Medical Group Dermatology — Mitchell
Mandi Greenway, MD, a dermatologist, provides expert skin care for people of all ages at Avera Medical Group Dermatology in Mitchell, SD. Dr. Greenway is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Female Pattern Baldness. She is also highly rated in 34 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Actinic Keratosis, Warts, Seborrheic Keratosis, and Melanoma. Dr. Greenway is board certified in American Board Of Dermatology.
Avera Dermatology — Pierre
Dr. (Joyce) Wesley Fletcher is a dermatologist at Avera Medical Group in Pierre, located in the Helmsley Center at Avera St. Mary's Hospital. Dr. Fletcher is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Female Pattern Baldness. She is also highly rated in 35 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Familial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma Syndrome, Giant Congenital Melanocytic Nevus, Giant Congenital Nevus, and Neurocutaneous Melanosis.
Female pattern baldness is usually not a sign of an underlying medical disorder.
Hair loss may affect self-esteem and cause anxiety.
Hair loss is usually permanent.
Contact your provider if you have hair loss and it continues, especially if you also have itching, skin irritation, or other symptoms. There might be a treatable medical cause for the hair loss.
There is no known prevention for female pattern baldness.
Published Date: January 28, 2026
Published By: Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
American Academy of Dermatology Association website. Thinning hair and hair loss: could it be female pattern hair loss? www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/types/female-pattern. Updated December 13, 2022. Accessed February 27, 2026.
Dinulos JGH. Hair diseases. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 24.
James WD. Diseases of the skin appendages. In: James WD, ed. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 28.
Rudnicka L, Stefanato CM. Alopecias. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 69.