This is a very common type of hairloss known also as common baldness, male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness. It may begin early as after puberty.

Causes

• Androgens (male hormones).
• Inherited sensitivity of the hair follicles to androgens.

Symptoms
The symptoms may differ in men and women:

• Male androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hairloss)

   

  • Begins as a receding hairline around the temples, producing an M-shaped pattern. Then thinning or a bald patch develops at the crown. In severe cases, these areas merge leaving a horseshoe rim of hair at the back and sides of the head.

   

• Female androgenetic alopecia (female pattern hairloss)
  • May follow the pattern in men or more commonly, as diffuse thinning which is most prominent on the top front of the scalp.

  Male androgenetic alopecia.

  What you can do

• Nothing, live with it.
• Consider cosmetic measures such as having a hairdresser style the hair so that it hides the hairloss, hair weaving or using a hairpiece.
• Consult a doctor for treatment.

  Key points

• Women with androgenetic alopecia who have the following symptoms should consult a doctor for tests to exclude increased production of male hormones:
• Severe acne.
• Hirsutism.
• Enlargement of the clitoris.

  What the doctor may do

• Confirm the diagnosis.
• Prescribe minoxidil lotion or finasteride tablets which may reduce the rate of hairloss or induce some hairgrowth.
• Oestrogens (female hormones) and antiandrogens tablets may be helpful in women.
• Consider surgery such as scalp reduction and hair transplantation in very motivated patients.

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