Androgenetic Alopecia Information and Treatment

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most general form of alopecia. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), also known in women as feminine pattern hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia is result by androgens in hereditarily susceptible women and men. The incidence is generally considered to be greater in males than females. Androgenetic alopecia is also androgen dependent. Androgens are the hormones that stimulate the development of male sex characteristics. Testosterone is one type of androgen.

Some women with androgenetic alopecia have abnormally elevated levels of androgens in their bodies as a consequence of underlying ovarian or adrenal gland disorders. 50 % of men by age 50 years and 40% of women by menopause have a few degree of AGA. This form of hair loss affects an estimated 35 million men in the United States. Androgenetic alopecia in men has been associated with several other medical conditions including coronary heart disease and enlargement of the prostate, a walnut-sized gland in males that is located below the bladder .Symptoms of androgenetic alopecia include thinning hair and a receding hairline.

Men with androgenetic alopecia normally have a receding hairline and moderate to broad loss of hair, particularly on the front and top of the head. The remaining hair tends to feel a little finer and shorter than normal. In many cases, the result is a receding hairline or bald spot. However, some men become completely bald. Women with androgenetic alopecia experience overall thinning of their hair. Secure and effective treatments are currently available for androgenetic alopecia, but advice and counselling remain the most significant aspects of management. Treatment is either medical or surgical.

The only proven medications that are indicated for AGA are topical minoxidil and oral finasteride. Topical minoxidil solution is the only approved drug available for promoting hair development in women with AGA About one-quarter of men and one-fifth of women who use regular-strength minoxidil experience some hair regrowth. Finasteride recently has been shown to have significant efficacy in male AGA. Scalp flaps and hair transplantation have been used to treat advanced androgenetic alopecia for some years and are constantly undergoing revision and improvement. Hair transplantation is expensive, time consuming, and sometimes painful.