What is androgenetic alopecia?
Alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia, commonly called baldness, is the most common form of alopecia in both men and women. It is estimated that a large percentage of men and women will develop androgenetic alopecia at some point in their lives. There is usually a genetic predisposition or environmental factors that influence its occurrence.
Androgenetic alopecia is usually characterised by hair loss at the temples, the top of the head and the hairline. Thinning may start gradually and then become more extended.
What are the causes of androgenetic alopecia?
The factors that causes androgenetic alopecia are considered to be the following:
- heredity
- stress
- drug induced, drug abuse
- mental illness
- heart disease
Androgenetic alopecia in women results in thinning of the hair and thinning of the top of the scalp, without receding hairline. In women, the causes leading to hair loss, in addition to heredity, are a decrease in female hormones during menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, psychological effects and stress.