An Overview of Female Pattern Hair Loss

June 2011 in “ Expert Review of Dermatology ”

Mansi Patel, Alfonso Perez, Rodney Sinclair

female pattern hair loss FPHL androgen excess topical minoxidil antiandrogen therapy spironolactone cyproterone acetate hair transplantation vellus hairs terminal hairs Rogaine

From the encyclopedia

Spironolactone →

powerful topical and oral anti-androgen used mostly by women

Cyproterone →

a synthetic anti-androgen and weak progestogen that inhibits DHT binding to androgen receptor

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Studysummary This review discusses the characteristics and management options for female pattern hair loss, highlighting the unclear role of androgens and the psychosocial impact, and reports no new clinical results. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

This document provides an overview of female pattern hair loss (FPHL), including its clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment options. FPHL is characterized by a reduction in hair density over the crown and frontal scalp, and is often associated with androgen excess. Diagnosis is typically made through clinical examination and scalp biopsy, with a ratio of vellus to terminal hairs of less than 4:1 being indicative of FPHL. Treatment options include topical minoxidil, which is effective in both pre- and post-menopausal women, and antiandrogen therapy with agents such as spironolactone or cyproterone acetate. Hair transplantation can also be a viable option for women who have not had success with pharmacological treatments.

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