Hair problems in women
January 1997
in “Clinics in Dermatology”
TLDR Hair problems are common and distressing for women, but increasing knowledge of treatments offers hope.
In 1997, a study involving about 400 people in a European urban environment found that hair problems are common among women, with 25% experiencing issues that do not lead to balding. The study showed that 75% of patients would not seek dermatological advice, instead turning to pharmacists, general practitioners, and hairdressers. Psychological distress was prevalent among women with hair loss. The study emphasized the need for understanding hair physiology and the use of diagnostic techniques like the phototrichogram. It identified chronic telogen effluvium and diffuse androgen-dependent alopecia as the most common hair problems in young women. The importance of iron levels in chronic telogen effluvium was noted, recommending a daily iron supplement of 100 mg for treatment. For diffuse androgen-dependent alopecia, hormonal treatments like cyproterone acetate and spironolactone were used, with the addition of ethinylestradiol in some cases. The document also highlighted the potential role of hormonal replacement therapy in peri- and postmenopausal women and the effectiveness of topical 5% minoxidil in activating dormant hair follicles. The study concluded that hair problems, while not life-threatening, cause significant distress and that there is a growing understanding of hair loss treatments.
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Cited in this study
research Scalp immersion proxigraphy (SIP): an improved imaging technique for phototrichogram analysis*
SIP is a better method for measuring hair growth accurately.
research The importance of adequate serum ferritin levels during oral cyproterone acetate and ethinyl oestradiol treatment of diffuse androgen-dependent alopecia in women
Having enough iron improves the effectiveness of a specific hair loss treatment in women.
research Psychological characteristics of women with androgenetic alopecia: a controlled study
Women with AGA often face anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem; psychological support is important.
research Cyproterone acetate for severe hirsutism:results of a double‐blind dose‐ranging study*
Cyproterone acetate at 2mg daily is as effective as higher doses for treating excessive hair growth in women.
research Treatment of hirsutism with the pure antiandrogen flutamide
Flutamide effectively reduced excessive hair growth and improved related symptoms in hirsutism patients without significant side effects.
research Biochemical and trichological characterization of diffuse alopecia in women
Diffuse alopecia in women may be related to androgens and iron deficiency, and basic hormone and nutrient screening is useful.
research Reduced serum vitamin B12 levels during oral cyproterone-acetate and ethinyl-oestradiol therapy in women with diffuse androgen-dependent alopecia
Taking cyproterone acetate and ethinyl oestradiol for hair loss can lower vitamin B12 levels in women.
research Spironolactone is an Effective and Well Tolerated Systemic Antiandrogen Therapy for Hirsute Women*
Spironolactone effectively reduces hair growth in women with hirsutism and is generally well-tolerated.
research Quantitative assessment of 2% topical minoxidil in the treatment of male pattern baldness
The study tested a hair treatment and found it can help grow hair, but won't stop baldness. It's safe and works well, but needs more testing.
research Effective medical treatment for common baldness in women
Antiandrogen therapy helped increase hair growth in women with hormonal imbalances related to baldness.
research The unit area trichogram in the assessment of androgen-dependent alopecia
The unit area trichogram is a reliable method to assess hair loss and treatment response in people with androgenic alopecia by measuring hair density and thickness.
research Use of cyproterone acetate (CPA) in the treatment of acne, hirsutism and virilism
Cyproterone acetate is effective for acne but less so for hirsutism and alopecia, with some side effects and quick menstrual cycle recovery after treatment.
Related
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Combining platelet-rich plasma therapy with prostaglandin-F eye drops can significantly regrow hair in alopecia universalis.
research Comparison of quality of life using hair-specific Skindex-29 between androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata
Alopecia areata affects quality of life more than androgenetic alopecia.