Patient-Perceived Importance of Negative Effects of Androgenetic Alopecia in Women

October 1999 in “ Journal of women's health and gender-based medicine ”

Cynthia J. Girman, Susan L. Hartmaier, Janet L. Roberts, Wilma F. Bergfeld, Joanne Waldstreicher

androgenetic alopecia hair loss emotional effects self-consciousness jealousy embarrassment mental health AGA

Studysummary This study found that women with androgenetic alopecia report various negative impacts on their lives due to hair thinning, highlighting emotional concerns and dissatisfaction with appearance. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

A study surveyed 120 women with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) to determine the negative effects of hair loss on their lives. The inability to style hair, dissatisfaction with appearance, concern about hair loss continuing, and concern about others noticing hair loss were the most important aspects affected. Emotional effects such as self-consciousness, jealousy, embarrassment, and feeling powerless to stop hair loss were also reported. The study highlights the importance of researching the negative effects of androgenetic alopecia in women, as it can have a significant impact on their mental health.

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Research cited in this study

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research Personality Disorders and Psychopathologic Symptoms in Patients With Androgenetic Alopecia

43 citations , July 1994 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This study found that the prevalence of personality disorders in individuals with androgenetic alopecia was significantly higher than in the general population, irrespective of gender.

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”

This study found that androgenetic alopecia causes significant psychological distress, particularly in women, who exhibit a more negative body image and less adaptive functioning compared to controls.

research Psychological Characteristics of Women with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Controlled Study

58 citations , September 1991 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that women with androgenetic alopecia reported more psychosocial problems and lower self-esteem than women with non-visible skin conditions and men with androgenetic alopecia, which they attributed to their hair loss.

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

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

This article presents a classification system for stages of female-pattern androgenetic alopecia to aid early diagnosis and mentions existing systems for rare male-pattern cases, but reports no new clinical results.