When your grandmother tells you not to tie your hair too tight at the back, she is giving you good advice--this is the major cause of female pattern baldness, which otherwise is not a very famous illness. While men might be scared of losing their hair, most women consider the prospect of baldness to be far more serious.

Female baldness is usually made worse by a reduction in estrogen a hormone that normally prevents baldness in women. Basically, baldness in females depends largely on the kind of hairstyle they have maintained for a long time. Women who mostly tie tight ponytails (which pulls your hair back) have chances of suffering from Traction alopecia, a form of baldness. Another kind of hair loss, called telogen effluvium, is caused by pregnancy, poisoning or stress. Substantial hair loss can also be due to a mycosis infection. The loss of hair in a particular area or bald-spots can be caused by Alopecia areata.

The treatment available for women suffering from hair loss includes consumption of the drug Minoxidil in 2% and 5% concentrations. In order to fill out the bald spots, a hair transplant is also a favorable option. A very important thing to keep in mind is that Propecia, a drug used by men to cure their baldness, can have adverse affects on a womens health, and hence should not be used.

There is a very popular myth that hair coloring and chemicals can result in serious hair damage and cause baldness in due course of time. This, however, is untrue. If quality standards are maintained, then perming, coloring or conditioning your hair does not affect its growth.