People with alopecia areata have similar overall death rates as others but higher risks of death from self-harm, psychiatric issues, and lung cancer in certain cases.
Finasteride and Dutasteride are under review in the EU due to concerns about side effects like depression, but they are unlikely to be banned. Access to these medications varies, with easier availability in the UK compared to some EU countries.
Sugary beverages increase the risk of pattern hair loss in men by 57%, and type 2 diabetes is linked to female pattern hair loss. Reducing sugar intake and using treatments like finasteride and minoxidil may help manage hair loss.
Dutasteride may cause chronic infertility by reducing semen volume and motility, with concerns about irreversible prostate fibrosis. Users consider switching to finasteride or using treatments like minoxidil and microneedling, weighing hair preservation against fertility.