Androgenic alopecia, or pattern baldness, is a hair loss condition that affects both men and women.
This article will review male- and female-pattern baldness signs, what causes it, and potential treatment options.
Also, when research is cited, the sex and gender terms within that reference will be used.
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However, it typically presents differently among the sexes.
Women may also experience hair thinning all over the scalp without their hairline receding.
This condition is because of inheriting specific genes from one or both parents.
Hormonal changes that happen during menopause may also trigger it.
Androgenetic alopecia rarely results in total baldness in women.
It happens to between 30% and 50% of men by the time they’re 50 years old.
What Causes Pattern Baldness?
Androgenetic alopecia is a pop in of hair loss because of a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Even though researchers are studying reasons for this condition, they still can’t identify some causes.
Androgens are important for normal male sexual development during the gestational period (in the womb) and puberty.
However, they also help regulate other functions such as hair growth and sex drive.
Too much DHT can cause hair loss.
Aging
As people age, hair follicles shrink, leading to thinner hair and eventual hair loss.
Hair loss typically reverses after discontinuing most medications.
However, minoxidil does not affect receding hairlines and is not a cure for baldness.
It is advised to avoid using minoxidil if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Minoxidil should also be used with caution in people with chronic kidney disease.
However, treatment options may differ based on gender, with some medications approved exclusively for men.
Some treatments used for female-pattern baldness are not recommended for men with male-pattern baldness, and vice versa.
This is because the underlying hormonal imbalances and hair loss patterns differ between men and women.
Due to the risk of birth defects, it is generally not prescribed to women of reproductive age.
However, postmenopausal women may receive off-label prescriptions for finasteride in certain circumstances.
Topical Minoxidil
Minoxidil is commonly used to treat both male- and female-pattern baldness.
Minoxidil solution is available in 2% and 5% solutions.
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