Thirty million women in America, most between the ages of 25 and 35, have thinning hair, reports "Marie Claire" magazine. Hair loss in females may relate to dangerous medical conditions, so women who experience this condition should seek medical attention. Ninety percent of hair loss is genetic and needs to be treated with medication to promote regrowth or stop additional loss. A variety of proven treatments exist to treat female hair loss.
Minoxidil
According to MedlinePlus, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has only approved one drug or medication for the treatment of female pattern baldness: minoxidil. Used on the scalp, this medication may assist with hair regrowth in 20 to 25 percent of women. For cases where regrowth does not occur, minoxidil may slow or prevent hair loss. Hair loss may begin again when minoxidil use stops. MayoClinic.com reveals side effects of minoxidil use include itching or skin rash, blurred vision, chest pains, dizziness, headache, weight gain and numbness or tingling of the hands, feet or face.
Spironolactone
Physicians sometimes prescribe spironolactone in addition to or instead of minoxidil to combat female hair loss, according to MedlinePlus. This treatment may regrow hair if an overabundance of androgens, male hormones, causes the hair loss. Spironolactone traditionally treats water retention in patients with congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis or nephrotic syndrome, but hasn't received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of female hair loss. MayoClinic.com warns that taking spironolactone may increase the amount of potassium in the bloodstream and advises patients to cease use if abdominal pain, confusion, breathing difficulties, or numbness in the hands, feet or lips occurs.
Hair Transplants
MedlinePlus reveals hair transplants as the most permanent proven treatment for female hair loss. Physicians remove small plugs of hair from areas of the scalp producing thicker volumes of hair, transplanting these plugs into balding areas. According to AgingSkinNet, the operation sometimes combines with other forms of surgery like scalp reduction to provide the best results. Hair transplants often require only one surgery to successfully treat hair loss, although some patients need a second transplant. Minor scarring may occur.
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