ABSTRACT
Female androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of alopecia in women, occurring in up to 50% of women in the course of their life. If used correctly, available medical treatments for AGA arrest the progression of the disease and reverse miniaturization in most cases. Telogen effluvium may in fact be associated with AGA, and in some cases it may induce the onset of the condition or its worsening. Comparing the density of hair in the crown region with that of the occipital region can be very helpful to differentiate mild forms of AGA from diffuse hair loss. In premenopausal women, AGA may be a cutaneous sign of hyperandrogenism, together with acnes, hirsutism, irregular menses, and signs of virilisation. In patients with severe AGA, it is important to rule out disorders associated with excessive production of androgens, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, found in about 30% of women with AGA.
