What is Female Pattern Baldness?

Female Pattern Baldness or androgenetic alopecia is a genetic disorder occurring due to excessive response to androgens which affects up to 50% of males and females. It is characterized by progressive loss of terminal hair of the scalp after puberty, in a characteristic distribution in both males and females. In males, hair loss is most prominent in the vertex and frontotemporal regions, while in women the frontal hairline is typically spared with diffuse apical hair loss noted as a wider anterior part of the hair.

Causes

It is a polygenic disorder where both maternal and paternal genes are involved. There is a familial predisposition to androgenetic alopecia with sons at a 5-6 times higher relative risk if their fathers were balding.

It requires androgen to occur and develops only after puberty. Both hormone metabolism and androgen receptors play a key role in this disease.

Signs and Symptoms

Onset is gradual and occurs after puberty. In men, it begins as bitemporal thinning of the frontal scalp later involving the vertex. In women, it manifests as thinning of hair between the frontal and the vertex of the scalp without affecting the frontal hairline.

Diagnosis

Androgenetic alopecia is usually diagnosed clinically with a history of gradual onset, occurring after puberty, and often with a family history of baldness. Dermoscopy shows miniaturized hair and brown perihilar casts. Biopsy is usually not required.

Thyroid studies, CBC, screening for iron deficiency may be advised to rule out other causes of hair loss.

Management

There is no known cure but certain treatment options are available which can help to grow back hair quickly and prevent further hair loss.

Disclaimer: The information provided herein on request, is not to be taken as a replacement for medical advice or diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. DO NOT SELF MEDICATE. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN FOR PROPER DIAGNOSIS AND PRESCRIPTION.