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Treatment for Hair Loss in a Woman

According to the American Hair Loss Association, 40 percent of hair loss sufferers in the U.S. are women. Female hair loss can be devastating and emotionally damaging to those who suffer from it, but available treatment options may bring regrowth.

  1. Types of Hair Loss

    • Alopecia, which is the medical term for hair loss, may be either temporary or long-lasting. Temporary hair loss may be caused by stress, diet or hormonal imbalance, or induced by a medical treatment such as chemotherapy. Long-term hair loss is often genetic or may be the result of a variety of diseases in the body.

    Treatment Tips

    • Women who begin treatment at the earliest onset of hair loss will see the best results. Prolonged hair loss can destroy the hair follicles, making it difficult for hair to regrow.

    Minoxidil

    • Minoxidil is currently the only FDA-approved treatment for female pattern hair loss. Women should use the topical 2 percent concentration of minoxidil solution since the 5 percent solution, which is marketed for men, has not been thoroughly studied in women.

    Androgen Receptor Inhibitors

    • Since androgens are responsible for hair loss, in some cases, medications that block the production of these may be beneficial. Medications such as Tagament and Aldacetone, which are used in the treatment of gastrointestinal ulcers and high blood pressure, may also be used to slow down the production of androgens in the adrenal glands and ovaries.

    Natural Remedies

    • Daily supplements of saw palmetto, nettle root, and dong quai are natural alternatives to reduce hair loss and increase regrowth. These supplements reduce the amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is produced by the body and can be responsible for hair loss.

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