A Comparison of the Hormonal Profile of Early Androgenetic Alopecia in Men With the Phenotypic Equivalent of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Women

September 2016 in “ JAMA Dermatology ”

Sarita Sanke, Ram Chander, Anju Jain, Taru Garg, Pravesh Yadav

androgenetic alopecia testosterone dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate luteinizing hormone prolactin free androgen index luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio polycystic ovarian syndrome AGA DHEA-S LH FSH PCOS

TLDR Men with early hair loss have similar hormone levels to women with PCOS, possibly increasing risk of obesity and heart issues.

The study compared the hormonal profile of men with early androgenetic alopecia (AGA) to women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The study found that men with early AGA had increased levels of testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin, as well as a higher free androgen index and luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio compared to men without AGA. These hormonal parameters were similar to those found in women with PCOS. The study suggests that men with early AGA could be considered the phenotypic equivalent of women with PCOS and may be at risk of developing obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases.

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