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Clinical Review Fortnightly review

Male pattern androgenetic alopecia

BMJ 1998; 317 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.317.7162.865 (Published 26 September 1998) Cite this as: BMJ 1998;317:865
  1. Rodney Sinclair, senior lecturer (sinclair@svhm.org.au)
  1. University of Melbourne, Department of Dermatology, St Vincent's Hospital, Victoria Parade, Melbourne 3065, Australia

    Androgenetic alopecia is characterised by progressive, patterned hair loss from the scalp. Recently the pathogenesis and genetic basis of the hair loss have been better understood, as has the distress experienced by men who have lost their hair. There have also been breakthroughs in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.

    The transition of some terminal hairs into vellus hairs is a universal physiological secondary sexual characteristic.1 Androgenetic alopecia becomes a medical problem only when the hair loss is subjectively seen as excessive, premature, and distressing.

    The prerequisites for premature androgenetic alopecia are a genetic predisposition and sufficient circulating androgens.2 Eunuchs do not go bald.3 Every white man possesses the autosomal inherited predisposition,4 and 96% lose hair to some degree,5 but because of the variabity of gene expression far fewer have appreciable premature hair loss.

    Summary points

    • Androgenetic alopecia is a specific type of hair loss mediated by systemic androgens and genetic factors

    • Recent advances in understanding of the biology of hair follicles have shed light on the pathogenesis of androgenetic alopecia

    • Though most men learn to deal with their androgenetic alopecia without it impairing their psychosocial functioning, some men tolerate hair loss poorly and have a negative overall body image and diminished quality of life

    • Safe and effective treatments are currently available for androgenetic alopecia, but advice and counselling remain the most important aspects of management

    Methods

    This article is based largely on my experience in the management of hair loss. Original articles and expert reviews from major journals cited in Medline between 1966 and 1997 have been supplemented by information and articles cited in recently published textbooks. The following keywords were used for the Medline search: androgenetic alopecia, androgenic alopecia, common baldness and balding, premature baldness and balding, hereditary balding and baldness, male pattern and female pattern alopecia, …

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