Female hair loss is far more common than many people realise — affecting approximately 40% of women at some point in their lives. Yet it receives far less attention than male pattern baldness, and many women struggle to find clear, helpful information. This guide covers all the options available in the UK.
Common Causes of Female Hair Loss
- Female pattern hair loss (FPHL): The female equivalent of male pattern baldness — diffuse thinning over the crown and mid-scalp, usually preserving the frontal hairline
- Telogen effluvium: Diffuse shedding triggered by stress, childbirth, illness, significant weight loss, or thyroid changes
- Hormonal causes: PCOS, thyroid disorders, perimenopause, and post-menopause
- Nutritional deficiency: Iron deficiency is a particularly common and treatable cause of hair loss in women
- Traction alopecia: From tight hairstyles
- Alopecia areata: Autoimmune, causing patchy loss
Diagnosis First
Female hair loss has many causes, and treating the wrong cause wastes time. Blood tests should be performed to check: iron, ferritin, thyroid function (TSH, T3, T4), vitamin D, B12, and hormonal panel. A dermatologist or hair specialist can perform trichoscopy to assess miniaturisation and confirm pattern.
Medical Treatment Options
- Minoxidil 2–5% topical or oral: The primary medical treatment for FPHL — approved and evidence-based
- Spironolactone: An anti-androgen useful for FPHL in women — prescription only
- HRT: May improve hair loss in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women
- Iron supplementation: Where deficiency is confirmed
Hair Transplant for Women
FUE hair transplantation is suitable for a subset of women with FPHL — particularly those with a stable, clearly defined area of loss and adequate donor density. Women with diffuse thinning across the entire scalp (including the donor zone) are generally not good transplant candidates. A thorough assessment is essential.
Book a free specialist hair loss consultation with Dr Anzal Qurbain →
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