Understanding Male Pattern Baldness and Female Pattern Baldness

There are a variety of ways in which hair loss (alopecia) can occur, which necessitates a broad differential diagnosis. Hair loss has a variety of patterns and underlying etiologies. Hair loss is one of the most common complaints presented to medical professionals. In most cases, hair loss is nothing more than a cosmetic issue. Hair loss can, however, signal an underlying medical illness. This essay delves into the topic of male pattern baldness (MPB) and female pattern baldness (FPB), discussing them at length.

Hair growth and loss are influenced by several factors. Every hair undergoes specific anagen (growth) and telogen (resting) periods that are adjusted for the location of the hair in the body. The length of time during which each hair follicle is in the anagen stage fluctuates. The variability or shortening in the anagen phase of hair growth is a crucial precipitating factor in hair loss and baldness. The location and disorder of keratinization, which determines the cause of hair loss, indicates these disorders. Most hair loss disorders, particularly those that cause permanent hair loss, are genetic in nature and are transmitted to offspring in specific familial patterns. The characteristics of hair and nails, as well as the presence of other ectodermal abnormalities, are determined by the involvement of the hair nail ectodermal dysplasia syndrome. Male pattern and female pattern baldness are the most prevalent types of alopecia, characterized by hair loss.

Male Pattern Baldness

If you think of male pattern baldness, you will likely conjure images of men with receding hairlines or developing bald spots at the crown of their head. But what is the real deal with male pattern baldness? In simple terms, it is a genetic condition through which hair loss from the scalp occurs progressively. The disease is very common, with about 70% of males in the United States being affected by male pattern baldness. This unique condition is referred to as androgenetic alopecia. Androgens, which are hormones that appear in all sexes and are responsible for behaviors such as hair development and voice tone differences between men and women, are the result of this disease. Androgens are important for males to produce and regulate male sex characteristics. Primary androgen, called testosterone, is an androgen.

This testosterone is converted by a substance called the 5-alpha-reductase found in the prostate, adrenal glands, and hair sacs to an androgen hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). High levels of DHT in hair sacs were known to minimize hair development. This in general will lead to male pattern baldness, which is the ultimate variant of Finasteride (trade name Propecia) was approved by the FDA in December 1997 to treat male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness can certainly start as early as age 12. It is likely to decrease the growth of the hair on the front region and on top of the head slowly. Behind the head, the first hair we are left with. The thicker, more Type III, scattered hair pattern is characteristic of the late 20s and early 30s. Some follicles gradually decrease in size from the normal hair shaft diameter by up to 20% each time the hair cycle is repeated.

Female Pattern Baldness

Like male pattern baldness, female pattern baldness—also known as androgenetic alopecia—is a characteristic of aging and is the most common type of baldness in women around the world. However, this is where the similarities between male and female pattern baldness end. The condition typically begins with thinning of the hair around the crown of the head, gradually advancing to the front and sides. Female pattern baldness, like male pattern baldness, does not result in total hair loss since hair at the back of the head is typically preserved. Female pattern baldness can negatively impact the patient’s self-image and confidence.

While the causes of female pattern baldness are similar to male pattern baldness, the three primary factors have a few distinctions. The contribution of androgens plays a somewhat smaller role in female pattern baldness. Hormones which are not involved in male pattern baldness, such as estrogens, also play a role in female pattern baldness. In general, follicles in women are more reactive than in men to a given level of DHT. Woman pattern baldness requires a different type of laser treatment due to differences in hair density.

Causes: Women with female pattern baldness have a genetic predisposition to hormone-induced hair loss. It is postulated that in female pattern baldness, the influence of androgens in women might be exaggerated by the concurrent presence of some other factors, such as hormones, which might contribute to hair thinning.

Symptoms: Hair loss and thinning in women typically begin at the midline partition. There tends to be earlier involvement of the crown with the anterior hairline spared. Hair on the back and sides of the scalp are preserved. Patchy hair loss, probably due to breakage of brittle hair, may occur in areas that are usually subjected to hair grooming and treatments. As a result of progressive thinning, the scalp may start to become visible. The hair thinning is usually generalized rather than occurring exclusively at the crown or hairline in female pattern baldness. Women with female pattern baldness do not progress to total baldness.

Treatment options: Minoxidil plus a laser hair therapy program therapeutic hair loss regimen which includes the use of the laser hair therapy cap. Providing an electric scalp massage is also beneficial. Provide a hair grooming plan to remove broken hairs and decrease hair-strand breakage. Use of a FUE hair transplantation procedure to create a female hairline. Woman Pattern Baldness Side Notes Woman pattern baldness is a different disorder than female pattern baldness. Female pattern baldness does not cause total hair loss.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we know that in scalp hair loss, unfortunate men are overwhelmingly affected, with male pattern baldness being a near-universal experience. By 50, the likelihood that a man will be partly bald rises to nearly 50%, and by 70 to more than 80%. Although not as frequently, a significant number of women suffer from similar hair loss. Male and female pattern baldness are triggered by the same steroid hormone but are controlled by different genes. Genetic chances often influence hair loss, which can appear at an early age. Although male and female pattern hair loss is more prevalent among populations with this genetic predisposition, it is likely that genetic or hormonal predisposition, or both, lead to increased or rapid loss in a subset of the population. However, male and female hair loss are a pure age-related change in the majority of people. Medications such as minoxidil and finasteride have been shown to be successful in regrowing hair or preventing its loss. There is a plethora of “treatments” that have not been shown to be effective. The psychological impact of hair loss varies greatly. When hair loss is accompanied by other symptoms or indicators of illness, anxiety is typically the answer. In men and women both, medical or surgical therapy may help, depending on treatment choice and age.