The Hormonal Background of Hair Loss in Non-Scarring Alopecias
Hair loss is a common clinical condition connected with serious psychological distress and reduced quality of life. Hormones play an essential role in the regulation of the hair growth cycle. This review focuses on the hormonal background of hair loss, including pathophysiology, underlying endocrine...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-02-01
|
| Series: | Biomedicines |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/12/3/513 |
| _version_ | 1827306933345845248 |
|---|---|
| author | Barbara Owecka Agata Tomaszewska Krzysztof Dobrzeniecki Maciej Owecki |
| author_facet | Barbara Owecka Agata Tomaszewska Krzysztof Dobrzeniecki Maciej Owecki |
| author_sort | Barbara Owecka |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Hair loss is a common clinical condition connected with serious psychological distress and reduced quality of life. Hormones play an essential role in the regulation of the hair growth cycle. This review focuses on the hormonal background of hair loss, including pathophysiology, underlying endocrine disorders, and possible treatment options for alopecia. In particular, the role of androgens, including dihydrotestosterone (DHT), testosterone (T), androstenedione (A4), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and its sulfate (DHEAS), has been studied in the context of androgenetic alopecia. Androgen excess may cause miniaturization of hair follicles (HFs) in the scalp. Moreover, hair loss may occur in the case of estrogen deficiency, appearing naturally during menopause. Also, thyroid hormones and thyroid dysfunctions are linked with the most common types of alopecia, including telogen effluvium (TE), alopecia areata (AA), and androgenetic alopecia. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis hormones (corticotropin-releasing hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol) in stress-induced alopecia. This article also briefly discusses hormonal therapies, including 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (finasteride, dutasteride), spironolactone, bicalutamide, estrogens, and others. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:31:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-045fffa0d1754359bbd66595cef2e279 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9059 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:31:52Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomedicines |
| spelling | doaj.art-045fffa0d1754359bbd66595cef2e2792024-03-27T13:22:37ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592024-02-0112351310.3390/biomedicines12030513The Hormonal Background of Hair Loss in Non-Scarring AlopeciasBarbara Owecka0Agata Tomaszewska1Krzysztof Dobrzeniecki2Maciej Owecki3Students’ Scientific Association in Public Health, Poznań University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), Święcickiego 6, 60-781 Poznań, PolandStudents’ Scientific Association in Public Health, Poznań University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), Święcickiego 6, 60-781 Poznań, PolandStudents’ Scientific Association in Public Health, Poznań University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), Święcickiego 6, 60-781 Poznań, PolandDepartment of Public Health, Poznań University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), Święcickiego 6, 60-781 Poznań, PolandHair loss is a common clinical condition connected with serious psychological distress and reduced quality of life. Hormones play an essential role in the regulation of the hair growth cycle. This review focuses on the hormonal background of hair loss, including pathophysiology, underlying endocrine disorders, and possible treatment options for alopecia. In particular, the role of androgens, including dihydrotestosterone (DHT), testosterone (T), androstenedione (A4), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and its sulfate (DHEAS), has been studied in the context of androgenetic alopecia. Androgen excess may cause miniaturization of hair follicles (HFs) in the scalp. Moreover, hair loss may occur in the case of estrogen deficiency, appearing naturally during menopause. Also, thyroid hormones and thyroid dysfunctions are linked with the most common types of alopecia, including telogen effluvium (TE), alopecia areata (AA), and androgenetic alopecia. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis hormones (corticotropin-releasing hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol) in stress-induced alopecia. This article also briefly discusses hormonal therapies, including 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (finasteride, dutasteride), spironolactone, bicalutamide, estrogens, and others.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/12/3/513hair lossandrogensestrogensthyroid hormonesgrowth hormonecorticotropin-releasing hormone |
| spellingShingle | Barbara Owecka Agata Tomaszewska Krzysztof Dobrzeniecki Maciej Owecki The Hormonal Background of Hair Loss in Non-Scarring Alopecias Biomedicines hair loss androgens estrogens thyroid hormones growth hormone corticotropin-releasing hormone |
| title | The Hormonal Background of Hair Loss in Non-Scarring Alopecias |
| title_full | The Hormonal Background of Hair Loss in Non-Scarring Alopecias |
| title_fullStr | The Hormonal Background of Hair Loss in Non-Scarring Alopecias |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Hormonal Background of Hair Loss in Non-Scarring Alopecias |
| title_short | The Hormonal Background of Hair Loss in Non-Scarring Alopecias |
| title_sort | hormonal background of hair loss in non scarring alopecias |
| topic | hair loss androgens estrogens thyroid hormones growth hormone corticotropin-releasing hormone |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/12/3/513 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT barbaraowecka thehormonalbackgroundofhairlossinnonscarringalopecias AT agatatomaszewska thehormonalbackgroundofhairlossinnonscarringalopecias AT krzysztofdobrzeniecki thehormonalbackgroundofhairlossinnonscarringalopecias AT maciejowecki thehormonalbackgroundofhairlossinnonscarringalopecias AT barbaraowecka hormonalbackgroundofhairlossinnonscarringalopecias AT agatatomaszewska hormonalbackgroundofhairlossinnonscarringalopecias AT krzysztofdobrzeniecki hormonalbackgroundofhairlossinnonscarringalopecias AT maciejowecki hormonalbackgroundofhairlossinnonscarringalopecias |