Although androgenetic alopecia is generally referred to as the male form of baldness, but women can also suffer from it. This form of hair loss in women is classified according to the Ludwig scale. It is characterised by thinning hair, often concentrated exclusively on the top of the head. Androgenetic alopecia in women usually appears during menopause and is only seldom seen as an indication of an undetected illness. When it appears before menopause is reached, it may be a sign of a hormonal disorder. In such a case - especially when the woman is exceptionally hirsute or suffers from acne - an endocrinological examination is recommended to establish the cause of the hair loss. In contrast to other forms of hair loss, androgenetic alopecia is an irreversible process - once a hair has fallen out, no new hair will grow.