Female Pattern Hair Loss and Androgen Excess: A Report From the Multidisciplinary Androgen Excess and PCOS Committee
July 2019
in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”
TLDR Use "female pattern hair loss" term, assess androgen excess, treat with minoxidil and other medications if needed.
The Androgen Excess and PCOS Society has released a report recommending the use of the term "female pattern hair loss" and identifying two typical patterns of hair loss in FPHL. The report emphasizes the importance of assessing possible androgen excess in all patients with FPHL and recommends starting treatment with minoxidil (5%) and adding 5a-reductase inhibitors or antiandrogens when necessary. The report discusses the different patterns of female pattern hair loss (FPHL) and its psychological consequences. It also covers the pathophysiology of FPHL, including molecular mechanisms that regulate hair growth. The report explores the potential causes of female pattern hair loss, such as genetics, androgen levels, and scalp inflammation. FPHL is more common in older women, and additional research is necessary to understand its development.
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