Female hair loss is a widespread condition that affects over half of postmenopausal women and up to 40% of healthy women, often beginning at reproductive age. The most common form is androgenetic alopecia (AGA), or female pattern hair loss, though other types—such as alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, and scarring alopecias like lichen planopilaris and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia—are also prevalent. Hair loss can have a profound psychological impact, contributing to lowered self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. Despite its prevalence, FDA-approved treatments are limited, with topical minoxidil and a few oral Janus kinase inhibitors available. Given the limited pharmaceutical options, there is growing interest in non-drug interventions.
Contributing factors to female hair loss include hormonal imbalances (notably DHT production), inflammation, nutritional deficiencies (especially in iron and vitamin D), aging, and oxidative stress. Natural therapies such as saw palmetto, horsetail, pumpkin seed oil, and curcumin show promise for their anti-inflammatory and 5α-reductase-inhibiting properties. A balanced diet and conservative supplementation are essential, though caution is advised with excessive biotin use due to its potential to interfere with lab tests. As the demand for safe, effective non-pharmaceutical treatments rises, further research is needed to validate the efficacy of these alternative therapies in managing and potentially reversing female hair loss.
Reference: Leavitt A, Hawkins SD, Kindred C, et al. Addressing the Root Causes of Female Hair Loss and Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025 Jul 1;24(7):659-662. doi: 10.36849/JDD.8763. PMID: 40627570.
