Investigation of the Male Pattern Baldness Major Genetic Susceptibility Loci AR/EDA2R and 20p11 in Female Pattern Hair Loss

February 2012 in “ British Journal of Dermatology ”

Silke Redler, Felix F. Brockschmidt, Rachid Tazi-Ahnini, Dmitriy Drichel, M.P. Birch, K. Dobson, Kathrin A. Giehl, Stefan Herms, Melanie Refke, Nadine Kluck, Rudolf Kruse, G. Lutz, Helmut H. Wolff, Michael Böhm, Thomas Becker, Markus M. Nöthen, Andrew G. Messenger, Robert E. Betz

female pattern hair loss FPHL AR/EDA2R 20p11 genetic susceptibility loci early-onset FPHL male pattern baldness susceptibility alleles

TLDR AR/EDA2R gene linked to early-onset female hair loss, but 20p11 gene not involved.

This study investigated the role of two major genetic susceptibility loci, AR/EDA2R and 20p11, in female pattern hair loss (FPHL). The study involved 145 UK and 85 German patients with FPHL, 179 UK supercontrols, and 150 German blood donors. The results showed that the AR/EDA2R locus confers susceptibility to early-onset FPHL, but the 20p11 locus is not implicated in the aetiology of FPHL. The study suggests that FPHL and male pattern baldness share common susceptibility alleles.

View this study on academic.oup.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

12 / 12 results

research Evidence for Two Independent Functional Variants for Androgenetic Alopecia Around the Androgen Receptor Gene

26 citations, November 2010 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Two gene areas linked to male pattern baldness found, more research needed.

research Fine Mapping of the Human AR/EDA2R Locus in Androgenetic Alopecia

28 citations, April 2010 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Genetic marker rs12558842 strongly linked to male hair loss.

research Evaluation of Androgen Receptor Gene as a Candidate Gene in Female Androgenetic Alopecia

23 citations, May 2009 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

AR gene not major factor in female hair loss; different from male hair loss.

research Male-Pattern Baldness Susceptibility Locus at 20p11

111 citations, October 2008 in “Nature Genetics”

Researchers found a new gene area linked to male-pattern baldness, which, along with another gene, significantly increases the risk of hair loss in men.

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 Genetic Variation in the Human Androgen Receptor Gene Is the Major Determinant of Common Early-Onset Androgenetic Alopecia

195 citations, July 2005 in “American Journal of Human Genetics”

Genetic variation in the androgen receptor gene mainly causes early-onset hair loss, with maternal inheritance playing a key role.

research The Reliability of Horizontally Sectioned Scalp Biopsies in the Diagnosis of Chronic Diffuse Telogen Hair Loss in Women

137 citations, July 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Horizontally sectioned scalp biopsies are more reliable for diagnosing hair loss in women when three samples are taken instead of one.

research Hair Density, Hair Diameter, and the Prevalence of Female Pattern Hair Loss

234 citations, February 2001 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

FPHL affects hair density and diameter, causing visible hair loss in older women.

research Incidence of Female Androgenetic Alopecia (Female Pattern Alopecia)

89 citations, January 2001 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Hair loss in women is common, starts in late 20s, and affects 30% of women over 50.

research Role of Androgens in Female-Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia, Either Alone or Associated with Other Symptoms of Hyperandrogenism

47 citations, December 2000 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

Androgens significantly affect female hair loss, and hormonal treatments may help.

Different Levels of 5α-Reductase Type I and II, Aromatase, and Androgen Receptor in Hair Follicles of Women and Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

research Different Levels of 5α-Reductase Type I and II, Aromatase, and Androgen Receptor in Hair Follicles of Women and Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

416 citations, September 1997 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

People with hair loss have more androgen receptors and enzymes in certain follicles, with men and women showing different patterns.

research Classification of the Types of Androgenetic Alopecia (Common Baldness) Occurring in the Female Sex

666 citations, September 1977 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Common baldness, also known as Androgenetic Alopecia, is caused by a combination of genetic factors and hormones called androgens.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

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 One+ year 1mg Fin, Ketoconazole, and 3.75 Oral Min. I have DUPA. Switched from Topical to Oral Min.

in Progress Pictures 142 upvotes 2 years ago

A user's experience with hair loss treatments such as finasteride, ketoconazole, and oral minoxidil that have not yielded any results; other users suggest shaving the head or getting a wig, while others offer additional advice such as seeing a dermatologist, checking thyroid levels, switching to dutasteride and adding needling, and trying stemoxydine.

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 Spironolactine Update: 2 months (34, Female)

in Female 20 upvotes 7 years ago

A female user's experience using Spironolactone to treat Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) and Androgenic Alopecia, as well as discussing the effectiveness of the drug at different dosages.

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 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.

Similar Research

5 / 1000+ results

research Towards a Consensus on How to Diagnose and Quantify Female Pattern Hair Loss – The Female Pattern Hair Loss Severity Index (FPHL-SI)

26 citations, December 2015 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

New method measures female hair loss: Female Pattern Hair Loss Severity Index (FPHL-SI).

research Investigation of Four Novel Male Androgenetic Alopecia Susceptibility Loci: No Association with Female Pattern Hair Loss

21 citations, December 2013 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

No link found between new male baldness genes and female hair loss.

research Pathogenesis of Androgenetic Alopecia

July 2022

Androgenetic alopecia, or hair loss, is caused by a mix of genetics, hormones, and environment, where testosterone affects hair growth and causes hair to become smaller and grow for a shorter time.

research Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Pilot Study Investigating Combination Therapy with Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil and Spironolactone

80 citations, December 2017 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Low-dose oral minoxidil and spironolactone combo effectively reduces hair loss and improves hair density in women.

research Genetics and Other Factors in the Etiology of Female Pattern Hair Loss

43 citations, April 2017 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Female pattern hair loss has unclear causes, possibly involving genetics, hormones, and environment, and needs better treatments.