Alopecia And Hirsutism: Pathogenesis And Management Strategies

January 1988 in “ Drugs ”

Julian H. Barth

androgenic alopecia hirsuties androgen overproduction adrenal glands ovarian glands male-pattern hair loss depilatory methods systemic antiandrogen therapy antiandrogen therapy minoxidil Rogaine

Studysummary The document concludes that treatments for female hair loss and excessive hair growth are temporary and not well-studied.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The 1988 document examines androgenic alopecia and hirsuties, detailing their pathogenesis, such as androgen overproduction by adrenal and ovarian glands, and management strategies. It reports that up to 13% of premenopausal and 37% of postmenopausal women experience male-pattern hair loss, while hirsuties' treatment includes depilatory methods and systemic antiandrogen therapy, which only temporarily halts hair growth. The document highlights the lack of objective studies on antiandrogen therapy for female baldness and the absence of studies on minoxidil's effectiveness at that time. It also emphasizes the importance of a thorough medical evaluation for hirsute women and notes that while various treatments exist, they often do not offer a permanent cure for these conditions.

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14 / 14 results

research Topical Minoxidil Does Not Act as an Antiandrogen in the Flank Organ of the Golden Syrian Hamster

26 citations , January 1987 in “Archives of Dermatology”

In this study, topical minoxidil did not show an antiandrogenic effect on androgen-dependent cutaneous structures in the golden Syrian hamster, suggesting it likely does not have this role in humans either.

Female Androgenic Alopecia: The 3 Alpha, 17 Beta-Androstanediol Glucuronide/Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Ratio as a Possible Marker for Female Pattern Baldness

research Female Androgenic Alopecia: The 3 Alpha, 17 Beta-Androstanediol Glucuronide/Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Ratio as a Possible Marker for Female Pattern Baldness

13 citations , September 1986 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This study found that women with female pattern baldness often had a higher ratio of 3 alpha,17 beta-androstanediol glucuronide to sex hormone-binding globulin and lower serum sex hormone-binding globulin, possibly indicating minimal androgen excess.

research The Effect of Spironolactone on Hirsutism and Female Androgen Metabolism

32 citations , August 1985 in “Clinical endocrinology”

This study concluded that spironolactone may be an effective therapy for a subgroup of hirsute patients, as it reduced plasma testosterone and improved certain hair growth measures.

research Topical Minoxidil in Early Male Pattern Baldness

138 citations , August 1985 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil promotes hair growth in male pattern baldness.

research The Hair Cycle on the Human Thigh and Upper Arm

67 citations , July 1985 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

This study found that males have significantly longer hair on their thighs compared to females, mainly due to a longer anagen phase and a greater rate of growth.

research The Effects of Two Doses of Spironolactone on Serum Androgens and Anagen Hair in Hirsute Women

142 citations , February 1985 in “Fertility and sterility”

This study found that spironolactone reduced serum androstenedione and anagen hair shaft diameter in hirsute patients but did not significantly alter unbound testosterone levels, suggesting its effects are primarily peripheral.

research Topical Minoxidil Therapy in Hereditary Androgenetic Alopecia

55 citations , February 1985 in “Archives of Dermatology”

In this randomized trial, topical minoxidil treatment resulted in cosmetically acceptable hair growth in 32% of men with hereditary male pattern baldness, with no serious side effects reported.

research Effects of a Low-Dose Desogestrel-Ethinylestradiol Combination on Hirsutism, Androgens, and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

53 citations , January 1985 in “Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica”

This study found that an 8-month treatment with a low-dose oral contraceptive significantly reduced testosterone levels and hair growth in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and hirsutism, with minimal side effects.

research Oral Spironolactone Therapy for Female Patients with Acne, Hirsutism, or Androgenic Alopecia

101 citations , January 1985 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This article discusses oral spironolactone therapy for female patients with acne, hirsutism, or androgenic alopecia and reports no new clinical results.

research Effective Medical Treatment for Common Baldness in Women

43 citations , July 1984 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

This study found that women with common baldness treated with cyclical antiandrogen therapy for 52 weeks experienced increased hair density and a higher percentage of hairs in the anagen growth phase.

research Adrenal Androgenic Female-Pattern Alopecia: Sex Hormones and the Balding Woman

46 citations , June 1983 in “Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine”

In this study, women with diffuse alopecia were found to have higher serum levels of adrenal androgen DHEAS, which may contribute to disrupted scalp hair growth.

research Treatment of Hirsutism, Acne, and Alopecia with Cyproterone Acetate

39 citations , January 1980 in “Dermatology”

In this study, cyproterone acetate with ethinyl estradiol effectively treated acne, hirsutism, and alopecia in women, with the highest success in acne and rare side effects similar to estrogen contraceptives.

research New Therapeutic Approach to the Hirsute Patient

60 citations , September 1979 in “Fertility and sterility”

This study found that spironolactone reduced testosterone production and urinary 17-ketosteroid excretion, leading to a decrease in hair growth rate and a change in hair texture in women.

research Classification of the Types of Androgenetic Alopecia (Common Baldness) Occurring in the Female Sex

666 citations , September 1977 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This article presents a classification system for stages of female-pattern androgenetic alopecia to aid early diagnosis and mentions existing systems for rare male-pattern cases, but reports no new clinical results.