Common Baldness in Women
December 1981
in “
International Journal of Dermatology
”
TLDR The document concludes that early diagnosis is key for treating common baldness in women, but reassurance is often the best approach as hair thinning can be a normal part of aging.
The document from December 1981 examines common baldness (androgenetic alopecia) in women, highlighting the similarity in histological changes in hair follicles between men and women, such as shortened anagen phase and follicular atrophy. It underscores the importance of early diagnosis for effective treatment and acknowledges the role of genetic factors in the condition. The paper reviews treatment options, including antiandrogens like cyproterone acetate, but notes the limited clinical efficacy of topical antiandrogens at that time. It also discusses the use of oral corticosteroids and oral antiandrogens, though it points out the lack of conclusive studies supporting their effectiveness. The conclusion advises that hormonal treatments should only be considered for well-informed women and emphasizes that hair thinning is often a normal part of aging, suggesting that reassurance may be the best approach for many patients.
