The most common type of female pattern hair loss seen in women is androgenetic alopecia. This is seen as the thinning of the hair predominantly on the top and at the front of the head.

One of the major causes of the thinning of hair in women is hormonal imbalance and it is likely to occur during periods of hormonal changes, such as puberty, childbirth or most commonly menopause.

The thinning of the hair can also be triggered by trauma to the body. This trauma could be emotional, psychological or physical. So if you have recently undergone shock or any type of surgery then this could be your body's way of reacting to the damage caused. In these cases the hair loss is usually temporary and the hair will grow back as before. Another common reason for female balding is your family tree - hair loss can be largely genetic so take a look at your parents to see if it could have been passed down to you.

Hair is a living organism just like anything else on your body and needs to receive the right nutrients and sustenance in order to grow. If you are not eating properly and taking in the necessary vitamins then your hair will suffer, as seen in many girls with anorexia or bulimia.

Thyroid problems are also a leading cause for hair loss in females. If you have ruled out any physical trauma then a simple test by your doctor could determine whether this is where your problem lies.

Many people think that washing your hair too often can cause hair loss, this is a myth - as is 100 brush strokes per day will improve growth - on the contrary, keeping your hair clean will get rid of any bacteria which could cause baldness. Hair styles could however be a contributing factor, if you are always wearing your hair pulled back tightly this could cause breakage and damage to the hair.

This condition can be treated but the treatments are not always successful as there could be so many causes for the hair loss. If treatments fail then you can try making your hair seem fuller with perms, dyes or other cosmetic options.

There may not be an immediate cure for female baldness but there are certainly ways of coping and slowing down the hair loss.

Massage will help improve the circulation through your scalp and could improve hair growth. You can do this manually in the shower or you can purchase a special head massager to do it for you. Try massaging twice a day.

Female balding differs from the condition seen in men. Men often loose all their hair and this is unlikely to happen to women. This is comforting fact because the remaining hair can always be disguised and the bald spots can be hidden by using head bands or clips.

Medications are available to treat female pattern hair loss and can be bought over the counter although this is not advisable. Always check with your health care provider and get a prescription drug if there is a suitable one available.

There are also surgical options available but again, these are not always 100% successful. You can opt for hair implants using your own hair which would lessen the chance of rejection.

The most important thing to remember is that although it could be embarrassing to you, you are still the same person so you can try disguising the way you look but there is no need to change who you are.