It's More Common Than You Think
Female pattern hair loss affects a large share of women, often as diffuse thinning across the top of the scalp rather than a receding hairline. Causes range from genetics and hormones to thyroid issues, stress, and iron deficiency — so a medical evaluation is especially important for women to rule out treatable underlying causes.
Minoxidil Is the Foundation
Minoxidil is FDA-approved for women and is the first-line treatment. It stimulates regrowth and thickening the same way it does for men, in topical or (via a provider) low-dose oral form. See does minoxidil work and oral vs topical minoxidil.
Why Not Finasteride?
Standard finasteride is not used in women of childbearing potential because of the risk of birth defects, and it's generally less central to female pattern loss. Some providers prescribe other options for specific cases, but that's a specialized decision — one reason women benefit from a provider that treats them specifically.
Finding the Right Provider
Many hair loss telehealth services are men-only. Providers like Happy Head treat both men and women with custom, dermatologist-formulated options. Take our quiz to find a good fit.