ContentsSynopsisCodesLook ForDiagnostic PearlsDifferential Diagnosis & PitfallsBest TestsManagement PearlsTherapyReferencesInformation for PatientsView all Images (34)
Male pattern alopecia in Adult
See also in: Hair and Scalp
Print Captions
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Male pattern alopecia in Adult

See also in: Hair and Scalp
Print Patient Handout Images (34)
Contributors: Vivian Wong MD, PhD, Susan Burgin MD, Mary Gail Mercurio MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Alerts and Notices

Synopsis

Male pattern alopecia : Vertex scalp, Hair loss
Male pattern alopecia, or androgenetic alopecia, refers to the common patterned hair loss affecting many men and some women. Male pattern alopecia is mediated by dihydrotestosterone, the potent form of testosterone, which induces miniaturization of androgen-sensitive hair follicles. There is a gradual conversion of terminal hairs into indeterminate and finally vellus hairs. The condition may profoundly affect self-esteem and impair psychosocial functioning for some men, and an association between early onset male pattern alopecia and coronary artery disease has been shown. The hair loss has a strong genetic basis. The incidence is highest in White men, followed by Asian men and Black men. The onset is usually prior to age 40.

Codes

ICD10CM:
L64.9 – Androgenic alopecia, unspecified

SNOMEDCT:
87872006 – Male pattern alopecia

Look For

Subscription Required

Diagnostic Pearls

Subscription Required

Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

Other causes of nonscarring alopecia should be considered if the hair loss does not fit the typical frontal / temporal or vertex pattern of hair loss.

Best Tests

Subscription Required

Management Pearls

Subscription Required

Therapy

Subscription Required

References

Subscription Required

Last Reviewed:07/19/2017
Last Updated:01/11/2022
Copyright © 2022 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Male pattern alopecia in Adult
See also in: Hair and Scalp
Captions Print   Filter Images View all Images (34)
(with subscription) Reset
Male pattern alopecia : Vertex scalp, Hair loss
Clinical image of Male pattern alopecia
Extensive thinning of hair over the frontal scalp.

+32 More images of Male pattern alopecia with subscription

Copyright © 2022 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.