Female Androgenetic Alopecia
April 2026
in “
Canadian Medical Association Journal
”
female androgenetic alopecia non-scarring hair loss heredity endocrine disorders polycystic ovary syndrome adrenal hyperplasia ovarian tumors adrenal tumors diffuse hair loss central scalp thinning follicle miniaturization telogen effluvium psychological stress iron deficiency female pattern hair loss PCOS
TLDR Female pattern hair loss is common and increases with age.
Female androgenetic alopecia is a common non-scarring hair loss disorder, with prevalence increasing with age: 12% of women show symptoms by age 29, 25% by age 50, and 41-50% by age 70 or older. Risk factors include heredity and endocrine disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome, adrenal hyperplasia, and ovarian or adrenal tumors. Diagnosis is clinical, with initial diffuse hair loss or central scalp thinning and progressive follicle miniaturization, differing from male patterns which typically start at the temples or crown. Differential diagnosis includes telogen effluvium, a diffuse hair loss often triggered by psychological stress, weight loss, or iron deficiency.
