What term refers to hair loss?

Alopecia is the general medical term used to describe hair loss from any part of the body. This condition can manifest in various forms and degrees, affecting both men and women. The term encompasses several types of hair loss, such as pattern baldness, which is commonly seen in males and females.

While hypotrichosis refers to having fewer hairs than normal or thinning hair, and androgenic alopecia specifically describes a hereditary pattern of hair loss often associated with age and hormonal factors, it doesn't cover the entire spectrum of hair loss conditions like alopecia does. Telogen effluvium involves temporary hair shedding usually triggered by stress, hormonal changes, or other factors, but again, it is a specific subtype rather than the overarching term for hair loss as a whole.

Thus, alopecia serves as the umbrella term that encompasses various causes and types of hair loss, making it the most comprehensive and accurate choice.