Hair loss conditions Mostly affects women
Hair loss in women: causes, tests and treatment options in the UK
Hair loss in women has several possible causes, and the most common is female pattern hair loss: gradual thinning on top and a wider parting. Shedding after a baby, illness or low iron, hormone changes around the menopause or with PCOS, tight hairstyles, and autoimmune or scarring conditions can also be involved. Working out which one you have comes first, because the right next step, which is sometimes no medicine at all, depends on it.
What is hair loss in women?
Losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal, according to the NHS. Hair loss is when you lose more than that, or when hair grows back thinner. The NHS describes some causes as permanent, such as female pattern baldness, and others as temporary, such as illness, stress, weight loss and iron deficiency.
The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) says female pattern hair loss is the most common type of hair loss in women. It is caused by a mix of genetic and hormonal factors and usually shows as thinning over the top of the scalp. Other causes behave differently: shedding that comes on suddenly all over, bald patches, scalp symptoms, or hair lost along a hairline that has been pulled tight.
This page is the starting point. It helps you tell the main kinds apart, explains what to check first, sets out the treatments used in the UK and whether each is licensed, and says plainly what WMG Meds does and does not offer women. Each cause has its own guide, linked below.
Signs to look for
- Gradual thinning over the top and a wider parting, with the front hairline kept: often female pattern hair loss
- Heavy shedding all over, starting a few months after childbirth, illness, surgery, crash dieting or a stressful event: often telogen effluvium or postpartum hair loss
- Thinning alongside irregular periods, acne or extra hair on the face or body: worth checking for PCOS
- Thinning that has become noticeable around the time of the perimenopause or menopause: see menopause hair loss
- Round, smooth bald patches: possible alopecia areata, which needs a GP
- Itching, burning or pain, redness, smooth shiny areas, a front hairline moving back in a band, or thinning eyebrows: possible scarring alopecia, which needs a doctor promptly
- Thinning at the hairline or parting where hair is regularly pulled tight: traction alopecia
What causes it
Female pattern hair loss
Genes and hormones make follicles on top of the scalp produce finer, shorter hairs. The BAD says it usually starts in the 50s or 60s but can begin in the 30s or 40s, and that it progresses slowly. There is no cure.
Pregnancy and after a birth
The BAD lists childbirth as a common trigger of telogen effluvium. Shedding is typically about 3 months after the trigger and the shedding phase lasts 3 to 6 months. See postpartum hair loss.
Menopause
The NHS lists hair thinning or hair loss among the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Pattern hair loss often becomes visible at this age. See menopause hair loss.
PCOS (PMOS)
The NHS lists hair loss among the main symptoms of polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (formerly PCOS), alongside irregular periods and excess hair. It needs a GP diagnosis. See PCOS hair loss.
Iron deficiency
The NHS lists hair loss among the less common symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia, and says heavy periods and pregnancy are very common causes of it.
Thyroid problems
The NHS lists dry skin, dry hair or hair loss among the common symptoms of an underactive thyroid, together with tiredness, feeling cold and weight gain.
Shedding triggers
The BAD lists severe illness with a high fever, major stress, surgery, marked weight loss or extreme dieting, new medicines and stopping hormone treatment such as the contraceptive pill. For about 1 in 3 people no cause is found. See telogen effluvium.
Tight hairstyles
The BAD says the commonest cause of traction alopecia is tight hairstyles such as ponytails, braids, weaves and extensions. Early on hair can regrow; long-term repeated pulling can cause permanent loss. See traction alopecia.
Autoimmune hair loss
The BAD describes alopecia areata as an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks hair follicles, usually causing round bald patches. See alopecia areata.
Scarring alopecia
Conditions such as lichen planopilaris and frontal fibrosing alopecia destroy the follicle and replace it with scarring, so the BAD says the loss is usually permanent. Frontal fibrosing alopecia occurs mostly in postmenopausal women. See scarring alopecia.
How it is diagnosed
Start with your GP. The NHS advises seeing a GP to find out the cause before thinking about going to a commercial hair clinic. A doctor usually works out the type from your history, the pattern of loss, any family history and an examination of the scalp. Female pattern hair loss is diagnosed from the history of gradual thinning and the pattern, with a scalp that looks normal; the BAD says a skin biopsy may sometimes be used. A biopsy is also how scarring conditions are confirmed, and a dermatologist usually arranges it.
Blood tests do not diagnose female pattern hair loss, but they help rule out other causes. The BAD says a blood test may be done to exclude other possible causes of shedding, such as thyroid conditions and iron deficiency. If you also have irregular periods, acne or extra hair on the face or body, the GP may look into PCOS, which is diagnosed by a doctor from the whole picture rather than by one test.
If you want to check your iron stores (ferritin) and thyroid function privately before or alongside seeing your GP, our sister clinic WMG Health offers a female hair loss blood test. Tests are for information and are not a diagnosis; your GP or a dermatologist interprets the results with your history.
Treatment options
Every option below has trade-offs, and choosing not to treat is a reasonable decision too. Medicines are only prescribed after a doctor has reviewed your history and confirmed they are suitable for you.
What to expect
Hair treatments work slowly and none cures pattern hair loss. The licensed Regaine for Women foam says it can take 12 to 24 weeks of daily use before growth shows, and to stop if there is no improvement after 24 weeks. The 2% solution says four months or more, and to stop if there is no improvement after one year. The BAD advises allowing at least 6 months before judging minoxidil, and says an increase in shedding in the first 4 to 6 weeks can happen.
Any benefit lasts only while you keep using the treatment; hair gained is gradually lost if you stop. For shedding caused by a trigger, such as a birth or an illness, the BAD says the shedding phase lasts 3 to 6 months, and that shedding for more than 6 months is called chronic and is a reason to see your GP.
Results vary from person to person, so we cannot say what will happen for you.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and safety
Minoxidil. The Regaine for Women product information says the products should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, because minoxidil absorbed into the body is secreted in breast milk and there is potentially a risk of foetal harm. The BAD says to avoid minoxidil if you are planning a pregnancy or are breastfeeding. The Loniten tablet information says minoxidil is not recommended during pregnancy or in women of childbearing potential who are not using contraception.
Finasteride and dutasteride. Women who are or may become pregnant must not handle crushed or broken finasteride tablets or leaking dutasteride capsules, because of the risk to a developing male baby. Tell the doctor if you live with someone who takes them.
Tell the doctor. If you are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding, say so at any assessment. Treatment may need to wait.
Report side effects. Anyone can report a suspected side effect of a medicine to the MHRA through the Yellow Card scheme. It cannot give medical advice, so speak to your doctor, a pharmacist or NHS 111 if you are worried about your health.
Your wellbeing. Hair loss can affect how you feel about yourself. The BAD encourages talking about the emotional side with your healthcare professional. If you feel very low, speak to your GP, and Samaritans are free on 116 123 at any time.
All our guides for women
Pattern thinning: female pattern hair loss.
Life stages and hormones: postpartum hair loss, menopause hair loss and PCOS hair loss.
Shedding, patches and scarring: telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, scarring alopecia and traction alopecia.
Treatments and questions: can women use minoxidil, oral minoxidil for women, can women take finasteride, spironolactone for hair loss and does stress cause hair loss.
When to see a doctor promptly
See your GP soon, rather than waiting or self-treating, if you notice any of these:
- Hair loss that comes on suddenly, or in round bald patches (see your GP; alopecia areata is autoimmune)
- Itching, burning, pain or tenderness of the scalp, redness or scaling, or smooth shiny areas where hair used to be: ask your GP for a dermatology referral, because hair lost to scarring is usually permanent
- A front hairline moving back in a band, or thinning eyebrows, especially after the menopause
- Heavy shedding that is still going on more than 6 months after it started
- Tiredness, breathlessness, feeling cold or unexplained weight change alongside hair loss, which can point to anaemia or a thyroid problem
- Irregular or absent periods, new acne or extra hair on the face or body alongside thinning
How WMG Meds can help
What WMG Meds offers women is narrow on purpose. If your thinning looks like female pattern hair loss, a GMC-registered doctor reviews your history through our online assessment and decides whether a minoxidil-based treatment is clinically appropriate for you: compounded topical minoxidil, or low-dose oral minoxidil, both prescribed off-label. The medicines are dispensed by a GPhC-registered UK pharmacy partner, to UK addresses only. The doctor will ask about your blood pressure, heart and kidney history, periods, contraception and any pregnancy or breastfeeding.
What we do not do: finasteride and dutasteride are not offered as part of our women's hair loss treatment, and HRT and spironolactone are not prescribed. Please talk to your GP, a menopause specialist or a dermatologist about those.
For several causes, medicine is not the answer. Postpartum and other shedding usually settles by itself, and alopecia areata, scarring alopecia and traction alopecia need your GP, a dermatologist or a change in how you style your hair. If your answers suggest one of those, the doctor will tell you honestly and point you to the right place.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common cause of hair loss in women?
The BAD says female pattern hair loss is the most common type of hair loss in women. It usually shows as thinning on top and a wider parting. Shedding after childbirth, illness or low iron is also common. See female pattern hair loss and telogen effluvium.
How much hair loss is normal?
The NHS says losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal. If you are losing more than usual, your hair looks thinner, or you notice patches, speak to your GP.
Should I see my GP first?
Yes, that is a sensible first step. The NHS advises seeing a GP to understand the cause before thinking about a commercial hair clinic. A GP can examine your scalp, arrange blood tests for things such as iron and thyroid problems, and refer you to a dermatologist if needed.
Which blood tests are used for hair loss in women?
The BAD says blood tests may be used to exclude other causes of shedding, such as thyroid conditions and iron deficiency. They cannot diagnose female pattern hair loss. If you have irregular periods, acne or extra hair, hormone tests may be part of looking into PCOS. WMG Health offers a female hair loss blood test if you want to check privately.
Is there a licensed treatment for women in the UK?
Yes, for female pattern hair loss: Regaine for Women 2% solution and 5% foam, licensed for women aged 18 to 65. Finasteride is not licensed for women. Spironolactone and oral minoxidil are used off-label by some doctors, and HRT is licensed for menopause symptoms, not hair loss.
Does WMG Meds treat women?
Yes, mostly with minoxidil. After a clinical review a doctor may consider compounded topical minoxidil or low-dose oral minoxidil, both prescribed off-label. WMG Meds does not offer finasteride or dutasteride to women and does not prescribe HRT or spironolactone. For some causes the doctor will advise seeing your GP or a dermatologist instead.
Can I use minoxidil if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. The Regaine for Women product information says it should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and the BAD says to avoid it if you are planning a pregnancy. Tell the doctor at any assessment if you are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding.
Will my hair grow back?
It depends on the cause. The BAD says telogen effluvium usually gets better without treatment. Hair lost to scarring is usually permanent, which is why early assessment matters. For female pattern hair loss, treatment may slow it and partly restore hair in some women, but only while you keep using it.
Can I get hair loss treatment on the NHS?
Partly. The BAD says the licensed 2% minoxidil is not available on the NHS and that synthetic wigs are generally available. Hair transplants and PRP are private. Your GP or a dermatologist can tell you what is available locally.
Sources
- NHS: Hair loss
- British Association of Dermatologists: Hair loss, female pattern (androgenetic alopecia), patient leaflet
- British Association of Dermatologists: Telogen effluvium, patient leaflet
- British Association of Dermatologists: Alopecia areata, patient leaflet
- British Association of Dermatologists: Frontal fibrosing alopecia, patient leaflet
- British Association of Dermatologists: Lichen planopilaris, patient leaflet
- British Association of Dermatologists: Traction alopecia, patient leaflet
- Regaine for Women Once a Day Scalp Foam 5%: summary of product characteristics (eMC)
- Regaine for Women Regular Strength 2% solution: summary of product characteristics (eMC)
- Loniten 2.5 mg tablets: summary of product characteristics (eMC)
- NHS: Iron deficiency anaemia
- NHS: Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), symptoms
- NHS: Symptoms of menopause and perimenopause
- NHS: Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), previously PCOS
- MHRA Yellow Card scheme
Facts checked against these sources on 23 October 2026. This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Read our editorial policy.