Female Androgenetic Alopecia: A Separate Entity

July 2000 in “ Dermatologic Surgery ”

OʼTAR T. Norwood, Blaine Lehr

female androgenetic alopecia male androgenetic alopecia testosterone male pattern baldness female pattern baldness androgens female AGA male AGA

TLDR Female and male AGA are different diseases.

This study presents arguments that female androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and male AGA are actually two different entities. It cites four facts about the diseases, including the fact that males with the genetic predisposition for male pattern baldness given large doses of testosterone rapidly develop typical male pattern baldness, while normal males can develop typical female AGA, as well as evidence from a family pedigree filled with female AGA, and a case report of a woman with female AGA and no circulating androgens. The study ultimately concludes that these are two entirely different diseases.

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Research cited in this study

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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.

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