What is female AGA?

First, androgenetic alopecia (AGA, Androgenetic Alopecia, Androgenic Alopecia, Alopecia Androgenitica) in men is progressive alopecia that develops after puberty. In the typical course of AGA, hair loss begins on the temples and becomes a characteristic “M” pattern due to the receding hairline. In addition, the hair on the crown becomes thin and becomes thin or bald. The correct translation of Androgenetic Alopecia is “androgenetic alopecia”. “Male pattern baldness” is originally classified as Male-Pattern Hair Loss (MPHL) or Male-Pattern Baldness, but “male pattern baldness” is common in Japan.

At home and abroad, women are classified as female -Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) and are referred to as Female Pattern Baldness (Androgenic Alopecia). In Japan, some medical institutions commercially describe “female androgenetic alopecia” (Female AGA, FAGA), but the translation is not correct. I think it’s easy to understand if you write ” female androgen-type alopecia “. Unlike the male pattern, the hairline does not change and the hair on the entire head tends to become thinner, centering on the crown and frontal region. It is rare to have full bald hair.

AGA is largely related to genetic factors and is caused by the action of the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Androgens are important for the development of the male reproductive organs during fetal and puberty, and both men and women have important roles in hair growth and libido.

FAGA (female androgenetic alopecia) and finasteride

Originally, finasteride is prescribed only to men. Pregnant women and women of childbearing age should also avoid touching it, as it poses a serious risk of congenital malformations to the male fetus. While there are studies that finasteride has no effect on alopecia in women, doctors and researchers who support finasteride have conducted it on postmenopausal women, and a decrease in estrogen, which affects testosterone sensitivity, causes hair loss. There is also the idea that prescribing finasteride is effective from the idea of ​​being involved. Studies have also confirmed that finasteride is effective in women with hair follicles that are sensitive to androgens. Some doctors have also confirmed that finasteride is prescribed to women who are unable to become pregnant after menopause or who provide proper contraception.

* We do not prescribe for FAGA, FPHL, FPB, etc. based on the package inserts and guidance of each prescription drug and pharmaceutical manufacturer.

Reproduction prohibited (C) 1998-2018 Geneikai, Shinjuku West Clinic, H.Murota, MD

References

・ Kanehisa Laboratories (KEGG)

Thereis no indication for women. [In a 12-month, placebo-controlled, double-blind, controlled trial (n = 137) of postmenopausal female androgenetic alopecia conducted with an overseas finasteride preparation, finasteride was not effective.

・ US National Library of Medicine (NLM)
Androgenetic alopecia

・ Harvard Medical School
Treating female pattern hair loss

・ Female pattern hair loss:
A clinical, pathophysiologic, and therapeutic review

・ BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF DERMATOLOGISTS
FEMALE PATTERN HAIR LOSS (ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA)

FAGA related pages