Androgenetic Alopecia in Women

June 2003 in “ Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings ”

Vera H. Price

androgenetic alopecia hair thinning frontal/parietal scalp occipital scalp miniaturized hairs scalp biopsy topical minoxidil solution hair growth hair cosmetics AGA Rogaine

Studysummary This article reviews androgenetic alopecia in women, highlighting diagnosis criteria and noting that topical minoxidil is currently the only proven treatment for hair growth; it reports no clinical trial findings. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

This article from 19 years ago discusses androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in women, which is characterized by hair thinning over the frontal/parietal scalp with greater hair density over the occipital scalp, retention of the frontal hairline, and the presence of miniaturized hairs. The diagnosis is supported by early age of onset and scalp biopsy usually solves the differential diagnosis. Topical minoxidil solution is the only approved drug available for promoting hair growth in women with AGA. The article highlights the psychological effects of hair loss on women and the need for thoughtful evaluation and management. The study also mentions the use of hair cosmetics to make hair appear fuller. The paper concludes that androgenetic alopecia in women requires further research and management strategies.

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Research cited in this study

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research Lack of Efficacy of Finasteride in Postmenopausal Women with Androgenetic Alopecia

239 citations , November 2000 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, finasteride 1 mg/day for 12 months did not improve hair growth or slow hair thinning in postmenopausal women with androgenetic alopecia compared to placebo.

research Treatment of Hair Loss

370 citations , September 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

This article discusses the treatment of androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata with finasteride and minoxidil but reports no new clinical results.

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

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

This study found that individuals with early onset extensive androgenetic alopecia have an elevated ratio of DHT to testosterone, but no significant genetic linkage to markers on chromosomes 2 or 5 was detected.

research Male Pattern Hair Loss: Current Understanding

59 citations , August 1998 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Genetics and hormones cause hair loss; finasteride treats it safely.

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 Chronic Telogen Effluvium: Increased Scalp Hair Shedding in Middle-Aged Women

234 citations , December 1996 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

The authors concluded that chronic telogen effluvium in middle-aged women presents distinct clinical and histological features that differ from androgenetic alopecia and acute telogen effluvium.

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.

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”

This study found that androgenetic alopecia causes significant psychological distress, particularly in women, who exhibit a more negative body image and less adaptive functioning compared to controls.

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”

This study concluded that horizontal sections of scalp biopsy specimens provide more diagnostic information for male pattern androgenetic alopecia than vertical sections and can predict hair regrowth potential following topical minoxidil therapy.

research Quantitative Estimation of Hair Growth: Androgenetic Alopecia in Women and the Effect of Minoxidil

85 citations , December 1990 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil promotes hair growth in women with early-stage alopecia.

research Patterned Androgenic Alopecia in Women

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

This study found that frontal and frontoparietal hair recession is relatively common in women, especially after menopause, and may not indicate abnormal androgen metabolism absent other virilization signs.

research Cyclic Dynamics of Hair Follicles and the Effect of Minoxidil on the Bald Scalps of Stumptailed Macaques

54 citations , June 1985 in “American Journal of Dermatopathology”

This abstract does not provide specific findings or results.

research The Inheritance Of Common Baldness: To Be Or Not To Be?

203 citations , November 1984 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This study presents evidence suggesting that androgenetic alopecia is most likely inherited through a polygenic model, challenging the traditional view that it is caused by a simple Mendelian autosomal dominant gene.

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.

research Testosterone Metabolism in the Skin

74 citations , November 1975 in “Archives of dermatology”

This review discusses testosterone metabolism in human skin and its role in androgenetic skin disorders, suggesting that temporary increases in dihydrotestosterone may lead to these conditions.

research Male Pattern Alopecia: A Histopathologic and Histochemical Study

94 citations , August 1975 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology”

In this study, the researchers observed that male pattern alopecia is characterized by miniature follicles, enlarged sebaceous glands, and an increased number of mast cells, without significant abnormalities in enzyme activity.