Androgenetic Alopecia and COVID-19: A Review of the Hypothetical Role of Androgens

May 2021 in “ Dermatologic Therapy ”

Hamideh Moravvej, Mohammad Reza Pourani, Moein Baghani, Fahimeh Abdollahimajd

androgenetic alopecia androgens anti-androgenic medication

TLDR Possible link between androgens and COVID-19 severity; more research needed.

This document is a compilation of various articles and reviews exploring the potential connection between androgens, androgenetic alopecia, and COVID-19. While some studies suggest a possible link between androgens and COVID-19 severity, further research is needed to confirm this hypothesis. The articles also discuss the potential use of anti-androgenic medication as a treatment option for COVID-19.

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research Androgenetic Alopecia and COVID-19: A Review of the Hypothetical Role of Androgens

9 citations , May 2021 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Possible link between androgens and COVID-19 severity; more research needed.

research 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors Are Associated With Reduced Frequency of COVID-19 Symptoms in Males With Androgenetic Alopecia

36 citations , April 2021 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

5-alpha-reductase inhibitors may reduce COVID-19 symptoms in bald males.

research Reply to Letter to the Editor: A Response to 'Male Balding Is a Major Risk Factor for Severe COVID-19'

1 citations , February 2021 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Balding might help identify men at higher risk for severe COVID-19, but more research is needed.

research A Response to 'Male Balding Is a Major Risk Factor for Severe COVID-19'

2 citations , February 2021 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

The authors suggest that scalp hair might protect against COVID-19 and call for more research on scalp health and the virus.

research Anti-Androgens May Protect Against Severe COVID-19 Outcomes: Results From a Prospective Cohort Study of 77 Hospitalized Men

49 citations , January 2021 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Anti-androgens, like finasteride, dutasteride, and spironolactone, may lessen the severity of COVID-19 in men, leading to fewer ICU admissions.

research Androgenetic Alopecia in COVID-19: Comparison to Age-Matched Epidemiologic Studies and Hospital Outcomes With or Without the Gabrin Sign

32 citations , December 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

AGA linked to worse COVID-19 outcomes in men.

research Androgenetic Alopecia in COVID-19: Compared to What?

6 citations , December 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Hair loss link to severe COVID-19 unclear.

research Alopecia and Grey Hair Are Associated with COVID-19 Severity

27 citations , November 2020 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Having a lot of gray hair and hair loss are linked to more severe COVID-19.

research Clinical Symptoms of Hyperandrogenic Women Diagnosed with COVID-19

29 citations , November 2020 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Women with high androgen levels may have more severe COVID-19 symptoms.

research Androgen Deprivation Therapy May Be a More Effective COVID-19 Prophylactic Than Therapeutic Strategy

12 citations , November 2020 in “Annals of Oncology”

Androgen deprivation therapy might be better for preventing COVID-19 than treating it.

research Male Balding Is a Major Risk Factor for Severe COVID-19

29 citations , November 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Men with severe balding have a higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.

research Androgen Receptor Genetic Variant Predicts COVID-19 Disease Severity: A Prospective Longitudinal Study of Hospitalized COVID-19 Male Patients

26 citations , October 2020 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

A certain genetic variant in the androgen receptor may predict the severity of COVID-19 in men.

research Azithromycin With Nitazoxanide, Hydroxychloroquine or Ivermectin, With or Without Dutasteride, for Early Stage COVID-19: An Open-Label Prospective Observational Study in Males With Mild-to-Moderate COVID-19 (The Pre-AndroCoV Male Trial)

1 citations , October 2020 in “Research Square (Research Square)”

Men with male pattern baldness had worse COVID-19 symptoms, but early treatment with certain drugs improved outcomes for all.

research Are Sex Discordant Outcomes in COVID-19 Related to Sex Hormones?

42 citations , October 2020 in “Seminars in Oncology”

Sex hormones may affect COVID-19 severity, with men often faring worse, and targeting related pathways could offer treatment options.

research Repurposing Existing Drugs for COVID-19: An Endocrinology Perspective

34 citations , September 2020 in “BMC Endocrine Disorders”

Existing drug dexamethasone may lower death risk in severe COVID-19 cases; more research needed for other drugs.

research Androgenetic Alopecia Present in the Majority of Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19: The 'Gabrin Sign'

119 citations , August 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Most COVID-19 patients in hospitals have androgenetic alopecia, more in men, suggesting a link between androgen sensitivity and severe COVID-19 symptoms.

research A Preliminary Observation: Male Pattern Hair Loss Among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in Spain – A Potential Clue to the Role of Androgens in COVID-19 Severity

134 citations , July 2020 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Male pattern hair loss could hint at androgens affecting COVID-19 severity.

research May Patients Receiving 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors Be at Higher Risk of COVID-19 Complications?

12 citations , July 2020 in “Medical hypotheses”

Men on 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors might have worse COVID-19 outcomes.

research TMPRSS2, Required for SARS-CoV-2 Entry, Is Downregulated in Lung Cells by Enzalutamide, a Prostate Cancer Therapeutic

2 citations , June 2020 in “Research Square (Research Square)”

A prostate cancer drug can lower the levels of a protein that the coronavirus uses to enter lung cells.

research Effects of 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors on Lung Function: A Reason for Discontinuation During COVID-19 Pandemic?

5 citations , May 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

5-alpha reductase inhibitors might worsen lung recovery in COVID-19 patients, suggesting a pause in their use.

research Androgen Sensitivity Gateway to COVID-19 Disease Severity

123 citations , May 2020 in “Drug Development Research”

Men's sensitivity to male hormones might affect how severe COVID-19 gets for them.

research Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Cow Placenta Extract Lotion Versus Minoxidil 2% in the Treatment of Female Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia

4 citations , May 2020 in “International Journal of Women's Dermatology”

Cow placenta lotion works like minoxidil 2% for female hair loss, with fewer side effects.

research Impact of Anti-Androgen Therapies on COVID-19 Susceptibility: A Case-Control Study in Male Population from Two COVID-19 Regional Centers of Lombardy, Italy

4 citations , April 2020 in “medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)”

Men taking 5-alpha reductase inhibitors for prostate issues may be less likely to experience severe COVID-19, but it doesn't prevent ICU admission or death.

research HSD3B1 Genotypes Conferring Adrenal-Restrictive and Adrenal-Permissive Phenotypes in Prostate Cancer and Beyond

30 citations , July 2019 in “Endocrinology”

Certain HSD3B1 gene types are linked to worse prostate cancer outcomes and affect treatment response and other health conditions.

research Age-Related Hair Changes in Men: Mechanisms and Management of Alopecia and Graying

37 citations , January 2015 in “Maturitas”

Men's hair loss is caused by hormones and genes, and can be treated with medication and surgery, while graying is due to aging and has no prevention except dyeing.