Battling a Receding Tide: Treatment for Androgenic Alopecia

The case study discusses a 36-year-old man with androgenic alopecia, highlighting treatment options and considerations. A trial with 428 men showed that oral finasteride led to hair regrowth in 80.5% of patients, topical minoxidil in 59.0%, and combined treatment in 94.1% after 12 months. First-line treatments for mild-to-moderate cases include minoxidil or finasteride, with combination therapy for severe cases. Minoxidil can cause dermatitis and hypertrichosis, while finasteride may lead to sexual dysfunction and psychological effects. Finasteride also affects fertility, making minoxidil a better option for those planning to conceive. The patient chose not to use finasteride to preserve fertility.