Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Androgenetic alopecia, often referred to as male or female pattern baldness, is the most common form of hair loss in men and women. It is mainly genetic and is triggered by the interaction of hereditary factors and androgens, a group of hormones including testosterone. With this type of hair loss, there is a gradual change in the hair follicles, which shrink under the influence of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a derivative of testosterone. As a result, the hair becomes thinner, has a shorter lifespan and eventually the hair follicle becomes so small that no new hair is produced.
In men, this form of hair loss typically begins with a receding hairline and thinning at the crown, while women tend to experience a general thinning of the hair over the entire scalp, without necessarily reaching complete baldness. The speed, pattern and extent of hair loss can vary greatly from person to person and is heavily dependent on genetic predisposition.
Treatment for androgenetic alopecia can be difficult, but often involves medications that either block the production of DHT or make the follicles resistant to DHT, as well as surgical procedures such as hair transplants. As it is a progressive condition, early diagnosis and treatment is crucial to slow or stop hair loss.
