Female Pattern Hair Loss, Biological Aging, and the Leiden Longevity Study

September 2016 in “ British Journal of Dermatology ”

Robert Sinclair

female-pattern hair loss FPHL male-pattern hair loss MPHL biomarkers of aging senescence diabetes mellitus heart disease metabolic syndrome polycystic ovarian syndrome hypertension hypercholesterolemia female-pattern baldness male-pattern baldness aging markers diabetes PCOS high blood pressure high cholesterol

TLDR Women with aging signs and heart issues have higher hair loss risk, which may predict shorter lifespan and affect attractiveness.

The Leiden Longevity study found that women with cardiovascular risk factors and biomarkers of aging have an increased risk of female-pattern hair loss (FPHL). More advanced FPHL is associated with additional biomarkers of aging and longevity, suggesting that FPHL is a biological marker of senescence and predictor of reduced longevity. Premature hair loss in both men and women is associated with an increased risk of death overall and in particular from diabetes mellitus and heart disease. Male-pattern hair loss (MPHL) and in particular premature MPHL has a negative impact on reproduction. Female-pattern hair loss normally occurs at or after menopause and signals waning fertility to a prospective mate. Women with premature FPHL appear prematurely aged and may be less sexually attractive. In addition to the psychological problems associated with premature FPHL, affected women appear to have an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome, hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia.

View this study on minerva-access.unimelb.edu.au →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

7 / 7 results

Both Low Circulating Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 and High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Are Associated with Hair Loss in Middle-Aged Women

research Both Low Circulating Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 and High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Are Associated with Hair Loss in Middle-Aged Women

6 citations, March 2016 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Low IGF-1 and high HDL cholesterol levels are linked to more hair loss in middle-aged women.

research Are Bald Men More Virile Than Their Well-Thatched Contemporaries?

6 citations, December 2013 in “Medical Journal of Australia”

Bald men are not more virile and may have fewer sexual partners.

research Association of Androgenetic Alopecia With Mortality From Diabetes Mellitus and Heart Disease

49 citations, May 2013 in “JAMA Dermatology”

Hair loss links to higher death risk from diabetes and heart disease; not a direct cause, but a marker for risk factors.

research Gender-Specific Association of Androgenetic Alopecia with Metabolic Syndrome in a Middle-Aged Korean Population

37 citations, April 2012 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Female hair loss linked to metabolic syndrome, not in males.

Evidence of Increased DNA Methylation of the Androgen Receptor Gene in Occipital Hair Follicles from Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

research Evidence of Increased DNA Methylation of the Androgen Receptor Gene in Occipital Hair Follicles from Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

24 citations, July 2011 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Men with hair loss have more DNA changes in back-of-head hair follicles, possibly protecting them from thinning.

research Prevalence of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss in Maryborough

193 citations, August 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

Hair loss common in Australia; men affected earlier, more often than Asians; women less concerned.

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.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community Better then Minoxidil( at least for me and my family)

in Treatment 42 upvotes 10 months ago

Capronium Chloride and Trichoxidil are suggested as better alternatives to Minoxidil for hair growth without heart side effects. The Japanese Dermatological Association recommends topical Minoxidil over Capronium Chloride.

community I am a dermatologist with a clinical interest in alopecia. AMA

in Will treatment work for me? 2 years ago

In this conversation, 4990 discussed various treatments for hair loss, including oral minoxidil, PRP, transplan, Jak inhibitors, Dutasteride, Finasteride, Olumiant, Ketoconazole, RU58841, microneedling, baricitinib, and CCCA. They recommended scalp biopsies in unclear cases of DUPA, twice weekly to twice daily shampooing for topical minoxidil users, and two sessions spaced one month apart with follow up at month three to determine the effectiveness of PRP treatment.

community For the ladies: Spironolactone for FPHL

in Female 15 upvotes 7 years ago

A 34 year old female with androgenic alopecia who has tried treatments such as Spironolactone, Desogen, Minoxidil and Finasteride in order to address her hair loss. It also details the experiences of other women taking Spironolactone for Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL).

community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

in Research 692 upvotes 4 months ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community Diagnosed with female pattern hair loss as a male with recent aggressive loss. Preemptively mourning the only part of myself I’ve ever come close to loving. Lost all motivation to do anything with my life.

in Progress Pictures 271 upvotes 1 year ago

The conclusion of the conversation is that the user should consider using treatments such as finasteride, minoxidil, and RU58841 to potentially reverse their hair loss. Other suggestions include using hair loss concealers and maintaining a healthy diet.

community Finasteride 5mg for female pattern hair loss

in Female 7 upvotes 4 years ago

The user's experience of using Finasteride 5mg and Aldactone 50mg to treat Female Pattern Hair Loss, as well as their use of PRP injections for further hair growth.

Related Research

1 / 1 results

research Female Pattern Hair Loss, Biological Aging, and the Leiden Longevity Study

1 citations, September 2016 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Women with aging signs and heart issues have higher hair loss risk, which may predict shorter lifespan and affect attractiveness.