Hair Loss in Women: Common Causes, Diagnosis, and Management

Hair loss in women is a complicated condition that can significantly impact quality of life and psychological well-being. Women’s health nurse practitioners are often the first point of contact for women who have concerns about hair loss. Conducting initial assessments, detecting red flags for scarring hair loss conditions, and making timely referrals to dermatology specialists for diagnosis and treatment can halt progression and optimize outcomes. This article explores the causes and the clinical presentation of female hair loss conditions, outlining the distinction between those that are scarring and nonscarring. Female pattern hair loss (FPHL), the most common nonscarring condition, affects up to 50% of women over 50. For this reason, the authors provide details on pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment modalities for FPHL, including topical and oral medications, natural remedies, platelet-rich plasma, and low-level laser therapy.