TL;DR:
- Androgenetic alopecia: Common hair loss condition caused by genetic/hormonal factors and excess androgens (e.g., DHT sensitivity). Miniaturized hair follicles result in thinner, weaker hair.
- Causes for men: Genetic DHT sensitivity, supplements altering hormones.
- Causes for women: High androgens, ovarian cancer, PCOS, adrenal issues (Cushing’s), thyroid problems, pregnancy, menopause, stress, lifestyle, or poor diet.
- Symptoms:
- Men: Hair loss begins at temples/forehead, progresses to top of the head (receding hairline).
- Women: Diffuse hair thinning starts at the middle of the head and spreads.
- Treatment:
- Topical: Minoxidil for circulation/hair growth (months to see results).
- Systemic: Finasteride to block DHT.
- Surgical: Scalp mesotherapy (PRP injections) or hair transplantation.
The problem of excessive hair loss is widely seen in both men and women. The most common type of baldness is androgenetic alopecia. This is a specific type of alopecia, the causes of which are believed to be genetic and hormonal. In addition, the symptoms and course of androgenetic alopecia varies by gender, and the likelihood of occurrence increases with age.
What is androgenetic alopecia?
Androgenic alopecia is a reduction in hair follicles, which are responsible for the growth phases of hair. When hair follicles are miniaturized, hair growth is slowed or stunted, which in turn causes hair to grow thin and weak until it eventually disappears. Excessive amounts of androgens in the human body are considered the main cause of androgenetic alopecia. Androgens are male sex hormones that occur in both men and women. They include testosterone, which is responsible for, among other things, normal male sexual development, libido and hair growth.
Causes of androgenetic alopecia by gender
The condition of androgenetic alopecia is much more common in men than in women. It is not caused by the mere presence of androgens in the blood, but by a genetic predisposition to hypersensitivity to a derivative of testosterone, namely DHT. As a result, increased concentrations of DHT cause weakened hair follicles, resulting in excessive hair loss and localized alopecia. In addition, the cause of the appearance of androgenetic alopecia in men may be the excessive and uncontrolled intake of dietary supplements for weight gain, which can lead to hormonal imbalance.
In the case of women, androgenetic alopecia is also caused by the body's hypersensitivity to too high a concentration of androgens in the blood. However, this is not the only reason for the occurrence of androgenic alopecia in women. The cause can also be:
- ovarian cancer,
- polycystic ovarian syndrome,
- hyperfunction of the adrenal cortex – Cushing's syndrome,
- tumors of the adrenal glands,
- thyroid diseases.
Also, at certain specific times in a woman's life, androgenetic alopecia can occur. Most often this occurs during pregnancy, lactation or menopause. In addition, regardless of gender, the cause of androgenetic alopecia can be unhealthy lifestyle, smoking, chronic stress and poor diet.
Symptoms of androgenetic alopecia
The symptoms and course of treatment of androgenetic alopecia are different depending on gender. For men, the first symptom of androgenetic alopecia is the weakening and loss of hair from the temple area and forehead. This results in a gradual receding hairline on the forehead. The next stage of the condition is the disappearance of hair from the central part of the head. It is worth noting, however, that the hair does not disappear from the occipital area; it grows normally in this area. This means that the hair gradually disappears, forming bends, then disappears on the top of the head, until finally the entire upper part of the scalp remains bald. The symptoms are so characteristic that a correct diagnosis is possible after a brief interview with the patient and an evaluation of the condition of the scalp.
For women, on the other hand, the symptoms are slightly different. The first stage of androgenetic alopecia is the loss of hair from the middle part of the head. In contrast, the hairline in the forehead area remains intact. As androgenetic alopecia progresses, hair loss occurs from more areas of the scalp, such as around the parietal bone and ears. In women, androgenetic alopecia is more diffuse in nature and the loss of hair quantity can be seen practically on the entire scalp.
How to treat androgenetic alopecia?
Modern medicine offers many options to effectively deal with the problem of androgenetic alopecia. However, before proceeding with treatment, it is useful to determine the cause, especially in the case of women. There are three main methods available for treatment – topical treatment, systemic treatment and surgery. In the case of topical treatment, both men and women use a suitable preparation called minoxidil in two concentrations. The drug is rubbed into the hairless area as prescribed by the doctor. **Minoxidil improves blood circulation to the head ** and stimulates hair growth ** However, one has to wait for the results, as they appear after several months. Systemic treatment uses the drug finasteride, whose main task is to block the formation of DHT responsible for weakening hair follicles. The drug is taken orally. In order to achieve the desired results **it is necessary to take the treatment regularly.** The last of the methods of combating androgenetic alopecia are aesthetic medicine treatments. Among them, the most effective are scalp mesotherapy and hair transplantation. With needle mesotherapy, platelet-rich plasma is injected under the scalp, which has remarkable properties. It stimulates as well as stimulates hair growth and, moreover, prolongs the hair growth phase. On the other hand, among the most effective treatments, but equally invasive, is hair transplantation. It is performed by specialists, and hair is obtained from androgen-insensitive areas of the head.
Conclusion
Androgenetic alopecia impacts both men and women, driven by hormonal and genetic factors. While symptoms and progression differ by gender, the results—thinning or lost hair—can be distressing. Effective treatments range from topical solutions and medications to advanced medical procedures like hair transplants. Addressing the root cause is key, especially for women dealing with underlying conditions. With proper diagnosis and targeted approaches, hair loss doesn’t have to be permanent. The sooner you seek support, the stronger your chances for managing this condition successfully.
