Androgenic alopecia is a pretty common occurrence, affecting around 70% of men and 40% of women. Although, you’ve probably heard it called by its more common name “male pattern baldness”. And yes, it can affect women the same way it affects men.
On a more technical level, androgenic alopecia occurs because some hair follicles have a much higher susceptibility to androgenic miniaturization, which is just a fancy term to describe the gradual thinning of the hair.
So what should you know about androgenic alopecia?
1. Even though both sexes can experience androgenic alopecia, it does affect men at a higher rate than it does women. In fact, it is estimated that as many as 35 million men have experienced some hair loss by the age of 50.
2. Androgenic alopecia generally affects the hair on top of the head and on the sides. It also causes thinning hair and receding hairlines, (the classic M shape hairline) which can be present in both men and women.
3. Androgenic alopecia is thought to be largely hereditary, although the exact inheritance pattern isn’t fully known. If you have a close relative who has male pattern baldness, you’re much more likely to experience hair loss at some point.
4. In women, androgenic alopecia usually happens after a woman goes through menopause. And while other types of alopecia can affect hair all over the body and cause total hair loss, androgenic alopecia in women rarely causes full hair loss.
5. Certain illnesses and medical conditions have been tied to androgenic aloecia, such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, and prostate cancer. Obesity and hypertension have also shown signs that they could be contributing factors to androgenic alopecia.