While just about everyone has heard the term male pattern baldness, many people do not realize that there is a form of alopecia that affects women as well. Female pattern baldness is a condition that millions of women have. It is characterized by widening of the part, general thinning of the hair, and a reduction in the overall volume of the hair. Many women are left confused by female pattern baldness. They may feel that they are alone, or may not understand the underlying causes of the alopecia that they are experiencing.