From causes to treatment options, androgenetic alopecia differs in men and women. Here are four reasons why this is the case.
Alopecia tends to cause hair thinning at the top of the head in men, while it tends to cause hair loss at the top of the head in women. Up to half of men and women are affected by androgenetic alopecia. This is the term used to refer to male and female pattern baldness. Androgenetic hair loss is hormone-induced genetic hair loss.
And while this condition can affect anyone, there are clear differences between people born male or female in terms of the age at which thinning begins, the parts of the scalp affected, and other health issues. associates. Knowing these differences can help you understand what’s going on with your own hair and what you can do to treat it.
Here are four differences between male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness
1. Compared to women, hair loss can occur in men at a younger age.
Hair loss most often begins in the 30s in men. In fact, two-thirds of men lose their hair by the age of 35. Women usually keep their hair a little longer. “Women show hair loss about 10 to 15 years later than men. Postmenopausal women begin to see more of the effects of hair loss. For both men and women, the risk of hair loss increases with age.
2. Hair loss affects different parts of the scalp in men and women
Androgenetic alopecia does not affect all the hair follicles of the scalp. This is why men tend to lose hair on the front and crown of the head, while women lose it on the top of the scalp. What does it look like? Well, men can look like they have a receding hairline or bald spot. In women, the pattern is different. The front hairline is generally spared, and there is a widening of the central part which evolves into a more diffuse thinning. Total baldness is rare.
You may notice that you sunburn more easily in these areas, such as a balding area on the back of your head or a part that widens to show more of your scalp. If you’re female, you may pull your hair back into a braid or ponytail, only to notice that more of your scalp is showing or your hairline is now a little further back.
3. In men and women, different health conditions tend to play a role
Genetics plays a major role in the development of hair loss. If you have an AR gene variation, your hair follicles are more sensitive to an androgen called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a derivative of testosterone. Higher levels of DHT lead to thinner and shorter hair follicles, which eventually stop growing hair. However, some specific health conditions in men and women can also contribute to hair loss, as they are associated with higher androgen levels.
In women, it is polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. In previous research, 22 of 254 women studied with PCOS, or 22%, also had androgenetic alopecia. In this study, they were also more likely to have additional symptoms, such as acne and hirsutism. Hirsutism is unwanted hair growth on the face, chest, and back.
For men, prostate cancer also has potential links to male pattern baldness. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that hair loss on the crown of the head, called the vertex, is associated with a 25% higher risk of prostate cancer than in controls. Male pattern baldness is also associated with coronary heart disease. But other research indicates that cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors are associated with androgenetic alopecia in both men and women.
The authors of a previous study recommend that doctors consider early screening of young patients with male or female androgenetic alopecia, to detect those at risk for cardiovascular disease. Hormonal sensitivities, genetics, and inflammatory markers may be common to people with this type of hair loss and cardiovascular issues.
4. Starting testosterone replacement therapy may promote hair loss in men
Over the past few decades, the use of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in men has increased, according to research. TRT is used to treat symptoms of low testosterone in men, including loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle mass, and mood issues. A potential side effect of TRT is hair loss on the head. Other signs may be the appearance of acne or oilier skin than usual. The higher your testosterone levels, the more testosterone will be converted into DHT, which can cause the miniaturization of hair follicles which leads to hair loss. If you are on TRT, make sure your T levels are closely monitored by a medical professional.