Female Pattern Hair Loss, Sebum Excretion, and the End-Organ Response to Androgens

October 2005 in “ British Journal of Dermatology ”

M.P. Birch, Hany Lashen, Shyam S. Agarwal, Andrew G. Messenger

female pattern hair loss FPHL sebum excretion androgens end-organ response hair growth nonandrogenic mechanisms hair follicles sebum

Studysummary This study found that sebum excretion is not increased in women with female pattern hair loss, suggesting nonandrogenic factors may contribute to hair loss in some women without hirsutism.

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The study aimed to investigate the relationship between female pattern hair loss (FPHL), sebum excretion, and the end-organ response to androgens. The results showed that sebum excretion is not elevated in women with FPHL, indicating that different androgen-response pathways operate in controlling hair growth and sebum excretion. The study suggests that nonandrogenic mechanisms may be involved in mediating hair loss in some women. Another study found that FPHL is associated with increased sebum excretion and a greater response to androgens in the hair follicles, suggesting an increased sensitivity to androgens in the hair follicles of women with FPHL.

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