Androgenetic Alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia is a hair loss or alopecia type that is extremely common, and affects both men and women, although occurring more for men. For males, it is also known as the male-pattern baldness wherein hair loss occurs in a well-defined pattern. For women, it is a different case. The hairline does not recede and hair merely thins all over the head. For women, there are also less chances, in fact, very slim possibilities of womens’ androgenetic alopecia producing complete baldness.

The occurrence of this type of alopecia is very frequent, that it affects roughly 50% of men, and a slightly lower percent for women who are older than 40 years. It also applies to 13% of premenopausal women.

The theorized cause of androgenetic alopecia is a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Researchers have found a cause of this hair loss, that is related to hormones which are called androgens, specifically dihydrotestosterone or DHT. These androgens are responsible for regulating sex drives and hair loss.