Conditions and symptoms
What Is Androgenetic Alopecia? Pattern Hair Loss Explained
Androgenetic alopecia · say it: an-droh-jeh-NET-ik al-oh-PEE-shuhAlso written: male pattern baldness, female pattern hair loss, pattern hair loss, androgenic alopecia
Short answer
Androgenetic alopecia is common, inherited hair loss, seen as male pattern baldness or thinning on the top of the head in women.
What it means
Androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of hair loss. It is driven by a mix of inherited genes and the effect of androgen hormones, especially DHT, on hair follicles in the scalp. Over time, affected follicles shrink and produce thinner, shorter hairs. In men it often causes a receding hairline and thinning at the crown; in women it usually causes widening of the parting and thinning on top.
The term appears on labels for medicines approved for pattern hair loss, such as topical minoxidil and finasteride tablets. These labels explain that results take months, that the medicine needs to be continued to keep the effect, and, for finasteride, list side effects such as reduced libido, and warn that women who are or may become pregnant should not handle crushed or broken tablets.
Androgenetic alopecia is different from alopecia areata, an immune condition that causes patchy hair loss, and from temporary shedding after illness, stress or childbirth.
Where you may see it
- The 'Indications' section of finasteride and minoxidil labels
- Over-the-counter hair regrowth product packaging
- Dermatology clinic letters
📄 How it looks on a report
Indicated for the treatment of male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in men only.
🙅 What it does not mean
- It is not caused by wearing hats or washing hair too often.
- Treatment does not usually work quickly; it can take several months to see a change.
- Stopping treatment usually means the hair loss continues again over time.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Androgenetic alopecia”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Finasteride
a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, a medicine that blocks an enzyme involved in making a hormone called DHT
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Androgenetic alopecia” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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