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Can androgenetic alopecia occur in women?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am a 26-year-old woman, 5.5 ft, and weigh 154 lbs. My hair has always been thin with an oily, dandruff-prone scalp. However, last year, due to some mental stress and trauma, I experienced a lot of hair fall.

My hair fall stabilized earlier this year. At present, there are a lot of new hairs on my crown, but I see quite a lot of them falling as well. Also, my hair does not seem to grow longer than my waist.

My mom has thyroid-induced alopecia. My thyroid is fine. Three years ago, I was diagnosed with PCOS-like symptoms without cysts. My condition is better now. I am worried that I am suffering from androgenic alopecia.

Kindly help.

Answered by Dr. Gaurang Gupta

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Gaurang Gupta is a Cosmetologist and Dermatologist with 14 years of clinical experience. He completed his MBBS from Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Open University in 2009. He then did his DDVL from the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in 2013. He treats all kinds of skin disorders.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello, welcome to icliniq.com.

In your photo (attachment removed to protect patient identity), there is certainly hair loss in a particular area, but the rest of the scalp has a good density of hair. You can have androgenic alopecia, although it is not common in females. I would suggest you get a blood check-up to know your hemoglobin, because low hemoglobin is the most common cause of hair loss in females.

I also suggest a few medicines. I shall review your case after 20 days. Tablet Follihair (Biotin and Amino acids) once a day. Tablet Finax (Finasteride) 1 mg once a day. Hair4u 5 % (Minoxidil topical and Aminexil) - apply on the scalp once at night. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her, and start taking the medicines with their consent.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Is Finasteride not a DHT blocker for males? Hair4u causes hair fall for me. Also, I forgot to tell you, I have been suffering from folliculitis as well, for which I have been using Salisia KT shampoo for the last year. At present, my severe dandruff and folliculitis are under control. Was this shampoo responsible for hair fall as well?

Kindly help.

Answered by Dr. Gaurang Gupta

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Gaurang Gupta is a Cosmetologist and Dermatologist with 14 years of clinical experience. He completed his MBBS from Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Open University in 2009. He then did his DDVL from the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in 2013. He treats all kinds of skin disorders.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

In androgenic alopecia, either in males or females, Finasteride can be given. Hair4u does not cause hair fall, at least I have not seen any case complaining of it. Salisia KT is for dandruff, not for hair fall. For further treatment (advanced than medicine), you can go for PRP (platelet-rich plasma). It is a procedure in which your blood growth factors will be injected into your scalp.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At July 11, 2018
Reviewed At October 6, 2025

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Gaurang Gupta is a Cosmetologist and Dermatologist with 14 years of clinical experience. He completed his MBBS from Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Open University in 2009. He then did his DDVL from the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in 2013. He treats all kinds of skin disorders.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Gaurang Gupta is a Cosmetologist and Dermatologist with 14 years of clinical experience. He completed his MBBS from Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Open University in 2009. He then did his DDVL from the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in 2013. He treats all kinds of skin disorders.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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