There are several reasons for hair loss in women, but it can be devastating. However, in most cases, treatment is quite effective. Female hair loss patterns in women are not as easily recognizable as they are in men. A woman may experience it temporarily due to pregnancy or illness. However, women may experience it for other reasons. Two of the most common types of hair loss, androgentic alopecia and alopecia areata, can be treated successfully by a doctor.

Hair loss can be due to a variety of factors, including a genetic tendency (which is not genetically linked to just one parent - both parents contribute to the tendency to lose hair). Additionally, it is not generally linked to hormonal issues, nor is it linked to using hair color, bleaching hair, perming or teasing the hair. Wearing a hat may rub some spots and encourage loss in that area, but if you leave the hat off, the hair will grow back.

At this time, the only drug that is an approved female balding treatment is Minoxidil.

In the case of alopecia due to a thyroid condition, some doctors do not believe in treating because the 1) the condition is not considered to be medically dangerous and 2) remission of the problem will result in hair growth in most of the cases.

Women who are experiencing hair problems seem to have more limited options than men. There are some female hair loss treatments that are available such as the Tricomin System which is a topical treatment that is nutrition based. Shen Min for Women is another natural treatment that contains herbs that are said to stimulate hair growth and even restore hair that is graying to its natural color.

The majority of the popular, proven hair loss treatments is only formulated for men and are not suitable for women. True, a woman's hair issue is different from a man's. The biological makeup is different and the needs are different. Women have different needs and their bodies react in different ways to environmental stressors, physical illness and even the treatments that are available. There are many natural treatments as well as vitamin and mineral supplements that are said to stimulate hair growth, but, for the most part, these claims are currently unproven. The research and testing does not appear to be as prevalent for female products as there are for male hair loss products.

One of the first and most important factors to effectively treating it is to get a diagnosis from a doctor. Talk to your doctor about any symptoms that you may be experiencing in addition to the thinning hair. Stress, weight loss or gain, illness and depression as all of these can be contributing factors. A doctor can tell you what is causing you to lose your hair and give you a direction for treatment, including referral to a dermatologist if necessary. This is vital to getting the best and most effective treatment available to you.