Management of female pattern hair loss

Assess all patients for signs of hyperandrogenism (eg, hirsutism, irregular menses, moderate to severe acne, treatment-refractory adult acne, acanthosis nigricans, or galactorrhea), and pursue hyperandrogenism testing in those with suggestive clinical features. Treatment of associated hyperandrogenism improves outcomes in the subset of patients with hyperandrogenism-associated FPHL and may be sufficient for some patients. Refer to additional UpToDate content on the diagnosis of FPHL for details.
Treatment aims to prevent progression of hair loss and improve hair density to a point that is cosmetically satisfactory for the patient (ie, good response). Initiating treatment prior to extensive hair loss is preferred because responses to treatment are variable and can be incomplete.
Patients may also benefit from adjunctive cosmetic measures that provide the appearance of increased hair coverage on the scalp (eg, hair styling techniques, hair dye, hair fibers, scalp micropigmentation, thickening shampoos, and wigs or other hair prostheses).