Genetics and other factors in the aetiology of female pattern hair loss
June 2017
in “Experimental Dermatology”
TLDR Female pattern hair loss has unclear causes, possibly involving genetics, hormones, and environment, and needs better treatments.
Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is a common hair loss disorder in women, with a prevalence that increases with age. While male pattern hair loss (M-AGA) is an androgen-dependent trait that is predominantly genetically determined, the role of androgens in causing FPHL is less clear. Genome-wide association studies (GWASS) have identified several genetic loci for M-AGA, but the role of heritable factors in FPHL is largely unknown. Recently published studies suggest that the aetiology of FPHL differs substantially from that of M-AGA, and other non-androgenic pathways, including environmental influences, may contribute to the aetiology. Current therapies for FPHL are unsatisfactory, and there is a demand for new treatment strategies.
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