What is Androgenetic Alopecia?

The term androgenetic alopecia is used to indicate the effect of the genetic background and androgens on this condition, which is at least partially hereditary.

It depends on the action of androgens on hair located at specific locations of the scalp. The result is a gradual reduction in the hair cycle, with a reduction in the hair follicle. It represents a normal process in men. The same is true for women, although they may be secondary to hormonal disorders.

Androgenetic alopecia is a multifactorial condition in which genetic factors determine a specific sensitivity to androgens and possibly to some inflammatory effects. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the main androgen that affects hair growth and size.

Increased hair loss is followed by progressive alopecia. Affected hairs become thinner and shorter and are characterized by a reduced duration of the regenerative phase and from a change in time to alopecia (hair loss). The ratio of finishes to fine hairs decreases with the severity of alopecia to 2: 1 or less in severe cases.

There are different types of hair loss in androgenetic alopecia for men and women. The male type begins with the retreat of the frontal line followed by thinning at the top. It can start as early as adolescence. Women often experience more diffuse hair loss, usually at the top. The female type may be accompanied by signs of hyperandrogenism such as seborrheic acne, dandruff, infertility, dysmenorrhea.

In these cases, the clinical presentation may be similar to that of the male type. In women, chronic telogenous hair loss is a self-limiting periodic hair loss that corresponds to loss without progressive alopecia. Drug-induced diffuse alopecia, iron deficiency and abnormal thyroid function should be ruled out.

The treatment of androgenetic alopecia aims at hair regrowth and is conservative and / or surgical. It can be beneficial.

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