Androgenetic Alopecia Questions & Answers

Updated: Jan 11, 2022
  • Author: Robert P Feinstein, MD, FAAD; Chief Editor: Romesh Khardori, MD, PhD, FACP  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is androgenetic alopecia?

What are the signs and symptoms of androgenetic alopecia?

What are symptoms of androgenetic alopecia in men?

What are the symptoms of androgenetic alopecia in women?

How is androgenetic alopecia diagnosed?

What is the role of biopsy in the diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia?

Which drugs have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia?

What is androgenetic alopecia?

What is the pathophysiology of androgenetic alopecia?

What is the role of genetics in the pathophysiology of androgenetic alopecia?

What is the role of sebaceous glands in the pathophysiology of androgenetic alopecia?

What is the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of androgenetic alopecia?

What is the role of lipids in the pathophysiology of androgenetic alopecia?

What is the prevalence of androgenetic alopecia?

What are the racial predilections of androgenetic alopecia?

Which age groups have the highest prevalence of androgenetic alopecia onset?

What is the prognosis of androgenetic alopecia?

Where can patient educations resources about androgenetic alopecia be found?

Presentation

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of androgenetic alopecia?

Which physical findings are characteristic of androgenetic alopecia?

What causes androgenetic alopecia?

DDX

Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia?

What are the differential diagnoses for Androgenetic Alopecia?

Workup

What is the role of lab studies in the workup of androgenetic alopecia?

What is the role of biopsy in the workup of androgenetic alopecia?

Which histologic findings are characteristic of androgenetic alopecia?

Treatment

Which drugs are approved by the FDA for treatment of androgenetic alopecia?

What is the role of minoxidil in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia?

What is the role of finasteride in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia?

Which treatments for androgenetic alopecia are not FDA approved?

How is telogen effluvium differentiated from androgenetic alopecia?

What are the treatment options for female androgenetic alopecia?

Which novel treatments for androgenetic alopecia have been investigated?

What is the role of surgery in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia?

Medications

Which medications are effective in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia?

Which medications in the drug class Antiandrogens are used in the treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia?

Which medications in the drug class Vasodilators are used in the treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia?