Androgenetic Alopecia in Men and Women

March 2001 in “ Clinics in Dermatology ”

Rodney Sinclair, Rodney P.R. Dawber

TLDR Androgenetic alopecia involves genetics, hormones, and can be treated with medications or surgery.

This document from 22 years ago discusses androgenetic alopecia in both men and women. It covers topics such as the genetics and hormonal factors involved in hair loss, as well as the psychological effects of alopecia. The document includes references to various studies and research on the subject, including the prevalence of endocrine disorders and polycystic ovaries in patients with hirsutism or androgenic alopecia. It also discusses the differences in testosterone metabolism by beard and scalp hair follicle dermal papilla cells. Overall, the document provides a comprehensive overview of androgenetic alopecia and its various aspects. The document also discusses various treatments for androgenetic alopecia in men and women, including medications such as cyproterone acetate, flutamide, and finasteride, as well as scalp surgery. The article also mentions future developments in the field, such as second generation steroidal 5a reductase inhibitors and gene therapy.

View this study on sciencedirect.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

39 / 39 results

research Differences in Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla Volume Are Due to Extracellular Matrix Volume and Cell Number: Implications for the Control of Hair Follicle Size and Androgen Responses

231 citations , December 1999 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Hair follicle size is mainly influenced by the number of cells and extracellular matrix volume, with cell number having a larger impact.

research Immunohistochemical Localization of Types 1 and 2 5α-Reductase in Human Scalp

100 citations , September 1999 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

The study found that two enzymes linked to hair loss are located in different parts of the scalp, supporting a common treatment's effectiveness.

research The Psychosocial Consequences of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review of the Research Literature

180 citations , September 1999 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Hair loss affects self-esteem and quality of life; treatments can help.

research Serum Androgens and Genetic Linkage Analysis in Early Onset Androgenetic Alopecia

32 citations , August 1999 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Early onset hair loss linked to genetics and androgen levels.

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Frontal Male Pattern Hair Loss

187 citations , June 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride effectively treats frontal hair loss with few side effects.

research Diffuse Hair Loss: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

83 citations , May 1999 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Hair loss that spreads out can often fix itself or be treated by finding and handling the cause.

research The Midline Part: An Important Physical Clue to the Clinical Diagnosis of Androgenetic Alopecia in Women

90 citations , January 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

"Christmas tree" pattern helps diagnose female hair loss.

research Novel Agents for the Treatment of Alopecia

29 citations , December 1998 in “Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery”

New treatments for hair loss show promise, especially finasteride for men and a stronger minoxidil formula.

research Androgen-Dependent Beard Dermal Papilla Cells Secrete Autocrine Growth Factors in Response to Testosterone Unlike Scalp Cells

51 citations , November 1998 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

Beard cells, unlike scalp cells, produce growth factors in response to testosterone, which may explain differences in hair growth.

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

581 citations , October 1998 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride safely and effectively treats male pattern hair loss, but may cause reversible sexual issues and harm male fetuses.

research Fortnightly Review: Male Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia

179 citations , September 1998 in “BMJ”

Hair loss in men is common, treatable, but not curable.

research Hirsutism II: Treatment

15 citations , August 1998 in “Australasian journal of dermatology”

The document concludes that various cosmetic and drug treatments are available for hirsutism, and some new drugs show promise.

research Increased Scalp Skin and Serum 5 Alpha-Reductase Reduced Androgens in a Man Relevant to the Acquired Progressive Kinky Hair Disorder and Developing Androgenetic Alopecia

2 citations , September 1997 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Different Levels of 5α-Reductase Type I and II, Aromatase, and Androgen Receptor in Hair Follicles of Women and Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

research Different Levels of 5α-Reductase Type I and II, Aromatase, and Androgen Receptor in Hair Follicles of Women and Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

416 citations , September 1997 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

People with hair loss have more androgen receptors and enzymes in certain follicles, with men and women showing different patterns.

research Diffuse Hypertrichosis During Treatment with 5% Topical Minoxidil

44 citations , January 1997 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

research Hair Problems in Women: A 1997 Study on Prevalence, Psychological Impact, and Treatment Approaches

37 citations , January 1997 in “Clinics in Dermatology”

Hair problems are common and distressing for women, but increasing knowledge of treatments offers hope.

research Chronic Telogen Effluvium

75 citations , October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Chronic Telogen Effluvium is a hair loss condition in middle-aged women that usually doesn't lead to complete baldness.

research The Use of Dermal Papilla Cells in Studies of Normal and Abnormal Hair Follicle Biology

19 citations , October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Dermal papilla cells are key for hair growth and could help us understand and treat hair loss.

research Androgen Metabolism as It Affects Hair Growth in Androgenetic Alopecia

143 citations , October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Too much androgen can cause hair loss; finasteride may help.

A Prospective Study of the Prevalence of Clear-Cut Endocrine Disorders and Polycystic Ovaries in 350 Patients Presenting with Hirsutism or Androgenic Alopecia

research A Prospective Study of the Prevalence of Clear-Cut Endocrine Disorders and Polycystic Ovaries in 350 Patients Presenting with Hirsutism or Androgenic Alopecia

135 citations , August 1994 in “Clinical Endocrinology”

Most women with hirsutism or androgenic alopecia had polycystic ovaries, especially if they had irregular periods.

research Androgens and Human Hair Growth

157 citations , April 1994 in “Clinical endocrinology”

Androgens can cause hair growth in some areas and hair loss on the scalp.

research Androgenetic Alopecia in the Female: Treatment with 2% Topical Minoxidil Solution

26 citations , March 1994 in “Archives of Dermatology”

research Psychological Effects of Androgenetic Alopecia on Women: Comparisons with Balding Men and Female Control Subjects

222 citations , October 1993 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Hair loss affects women's mental health more than men's, causing anxiety, low self-esteem, and social insecurity.

research Diagnostic and Predictive Value of Horizontal Sections of Scalp Biopsy Specimens in Male Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia

309 citations , May 1993 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Horizontal scalp biopsy sections effectively diagnose and predict MPAA, with follicular density and inflammation impacting hair regrowth.

research The Psychological Effects of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

192 citations , June 1992 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Hair loss can cause low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression in men.

research Cultured Dermal Papilla Cells From Androgen-Dependent Human Hair Follicles Contain More Androgen Receptors Than Those From Non-Balding Areas Of Scalp

124 citations , April 1992 in “Journal of Endocrinology/Journal of endocrinology”

Beard hair follicles have more androgen receptors than non-balding scalp hair follicles.

research Cyproterone Acetate for Severe Hirsutism: Results of a Double-Blind Dose-Ranging Study

94 citations , July 1991 in “Clinical endocrinology”

Cyproterone acetate at 2mg daily is as effective as higher doses for treating excessive hair growth in women.

research Natural Progression of Male Pattern Baldness in Young Men

71 citations , May 1991 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

Young men with male pattern baldness lose hair density over time without treatment.

research Natural History of Androgenetic Alopecia

7 citations , January 1990 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

Hair loss gradually happens, and minoxidil helps regrow hair.

research Patterned Androgenic Alopecia in Women

130 citations , May 1988 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

"Male-pattern" hair loss is common in women, especially after menopause, and doesn't always mean there's a problem with hormone balance.

research Topical Minoxidil in Male Pattern Baldness: Effects of Discontinuation of Treatment

57 citations , July 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Stopping minoxidil treatment resumes balding; continuous use needed for results.

research Safety and Efficacy of Topical Minoxidil in the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia

67 citations , March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil helps hair growth and prevents hair loss in androgenetic alopecia. It's safe and effective.

research Use of Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Male Pattern Baldness

53 citations , March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil effectively regrows hair in male pattern baldness.

research Long-Term Follow-Up of Men with Male Pattern Baldness Treated with Topical Minoxidil

51 citations , March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil keeps most hair growth from first year and twice-daily use is better with few side effects.

research Topical Tretinoin for Hair Growth Promotion

73 citations , October 1986 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Tretinoin may help hair growth and works better when combined with minoxidil.

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

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

Spironolactone is effective for treating acne, hirsutism, and androgenic alopecia in women with few side effects.

research Pharmacological Basis for Clinical Use of Antiandrogens

24 citations , July 1983 in “Journal of steroid biochemistry/Journal of Steroid Biochemistry”

Cyproterone acetate is used to treat conditions like prostate cancer, early puberty, excessive sexual drive, and female androgenization by blocking male sex hormones.

research Minoxidil for Severe Hypertension After Failure of Other Hypotensive Drugs

86 citations , September 1977 in “BMJ”

Minoxidil effectively controls blood pressure in severe cases, but has serious side effects and causes hair growth 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”

Common baldness, also known as Androgenetic Alopecia, is caused by a combination of genetic factors and hormones called androgens.

Similar Research

5 / 1000+ results

research Artificial Intelligence in Patient Education for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Comparative Study of ChatGPT, Gemini, and Deepseek R1

October 2025 in “Dermatology Practical & Conceptual”

ChatGPT 4.0 and Gemini 1.5 Flash are effective for educating patients about androgenetic alopecia, while Deepseek R1 is less reliable.

Pathophysiology, Conventional Treatments, And Evidence-Based Herbal Remedies Of Hair Loss With A Systematic Review Of Controlled Clinical Trials

research Pathophysiology, Conventional Treatments, And Evidence-Based Herbal Remedies Of Hair Loss With A Systematic Review Of Controlled Clinical Trials

June 2025 in “Naunyn-Schmiedeberg s Archives of Pharmacology”

Herbal remedies may help with hair loss but need more research.

research Alopecia and Thyroid Disease

January 2008 in “Springer eBooks”

Thyroid disease can cause hair loss and treating thyroid problems might help with hair disorders.

research Menopausal Acne – Challenges And Solutions

14 citations , October 2019 in “International Journal of Women's Health”

Menopausal acne is treated with medications and lifestyle changes, but careful choice is needed due to side effects.

research Gynecological and Dermatological Aspects of Diagnostics of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome from Puberty to Menopause

September 2023 in “Reproductive health of woman”

PCOS is common, affects fertility, and requires personalized treatment to manage symptoms and health risks.