Androgenetic Alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia is female-pattern hair loss characterized by diffuse thinning at the crown of the head and widening of the center part, affecting approximately 22-30% of women with PCOS. Unlike male-pattern baldness, women with PCOS-related hair loss rarely experience a receding hairline but instead notice gradual overall thinning as excess androgens—particularly DHT (dihydrotestosterone)—cause hair follicles to shrink and produce progressively thinner, shorter hair strands. Addressing the underlying hormonal imbalance through anti-androgen treatments, combined oral contraceptives, and lifestyle changes yields the best long-term outcomes, sometimes supplemented with topical treatments like minoxidil.