Definition
Female androgenetic alopecia is a condition characterized by hair loss that occurs, in fact, in female individuals.
Causes
Female androgenetic alopecia is related to androgen hormone levels and occurs in women with a certain genetic predisposition for the development of this same disorder.
In particular, women suffering from hyperandrogenism are at greater risk of experiencing the onset of alopecia. The main cause of hyperandrogenism is due to polycystic ovary syndrome (or PCOS).
Symptoms
Obviously, the characteristic symptom of female androgenetic alopecia is hair loss.
Generally, thinning of the scalp occurs in women from 30-40 years of age, but in some cases it can also occur later, during menopause.
In women hair loss occurs more slowly than men, but it affects a wider area. In particular, the thinning includes the vertex and the areas behind the front-temporal line.
Information on Androgenetic Female Alopecia - Drugs and Care is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Female Androgenetic Alopecia - Drugs and Care.
drugs
Although alopecia is not considered a true pathology, hair loss can have considerable psychological repercussions in women who are affected by this disorder.
Fortunately, if diagnosed early, alopecia can be treated before the thinning of the scalp becomes an irreversible process.
The therapeutic approaches normally undertaken to defeat female androgenetic alopecia involve the administration of drugs topically (such as minoxidil and estrone sulfate) and systemically. This last route of administration is particularly indicated in women with hyperandrogenism associated with polycystic ovary syndrome. In these cases, the most widely used active ingredient is ethinyl estradiol in combination with cyproterone acetate.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a drug originally born as an antihypertensive drug to be administered orally, but - due to the side effects it causes (including hypertrichosis) - it is no longer used to treat this kind of ailments.
Currently, minoxidil (Regaine ®, Aloxidil ®, Carexidil ®) is available in the form of pharmaceutical formulations for cutaneous use with specific therapeutic indications for the symptomatic treatment of androgenetic alopecia.
In fact, when administered topically, this active ingredient is able to promote the growth of hair and hair, although the exact mechanism by which this occurs has not yet been fully clarified.
Usually, the minoxidil-based product is applied directly to the affected area twice a day, for a period of at least 3-4 months.
In any case, it is always good to follow the indications provided by the doctor, both as regards the frequency of administration, and as regards the duration of treatment.
It should also be remembered that treatment with minoxidil should not be stopped abruptly, as there is a risk of nullifying the progress made and returning to the situation prior to treatment within a few months.
Estrone sulfate
Estrone is a female sex hormone normally produced by women's bodies, especially after menopause.
It has been shown that topical administration of this hormone in the form of estrone sulphate can be very useful in contrasting female androgenetic alopecia. In fact, this active principle - when applied directly on the scalp - is able to prolong the duration of the hair growth phase and activate the production of growth factors that favor cell multiplication at the level of the hair itself.
Cyproterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol
Cyproterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol (Visofid ®) can be given in combination to treat female androgenetic alopecia in patients with hyperandrogenism.
These active ingredients are available for oral administration in the form of tablets containing 2 mg of cyproterone acetate and 0.035 mg of ethinyl estradiol.
Treatment with ethinyl estradiol and cyproterone acetate should start on the first day of menstrual bleeding and involves taking one tablet a day. Treatment should be discontinued 3-4 cycles after resolution of the scalp thinning.
In any case, during treatment with these drugs, it is essential to follow all the instructions provided by the doctor.
Finally, it is good to remember that - although these active ingredients also have contraceptive effects - their use in preventing pregnancies is absolutely not recommended.
