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Can
polycystic ovary syndrome promote pattern baldness
Yes. Poly cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can promote female pattern
baldness by both direct and indirect mechanisms.
Directly, PCOS involves hypersecretion of androgen hormones and
subnormal production of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG
binds to testosterone and redners it unavailable for conversion
to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Indirectly, PCOS involves increased
insulin levels and this also has an affect on hormone production
and SHBG. Of course the direct and indirect mechanisms in PCOS that
cause pattern baldness are intimately linked.
Research has suggested that PCOS susceptibility is driven by a
single gene and that the gene may affect androgen production or
androgen effects on the body. While this gene may promote PCOS in
women, in men it may promote early onset pattern baldness.
Not every woman with PCOS develops pattern baldness. High estrogen
production levels may be present and this will contribute to the
heterogeneity of symptoms, especially androgenetic alopecia. Estrogen
is an indirect antagonist of testosterone. So while high levels
of testosterone may promote androgenetic alopecia, the androgen
activity may be blocked to some degree by the high levels of estrogen
production associated with PCOS.
Can
polycystic ovary syndrome promote pattern baldness references
- O'Driscoll
JB, Mamtora H, Higginson J, Pollock A, Kane J, Anderson DC. A
prospective study of the prevalence of clear-cut endocrine disorders
and polycystic ovaries in 350 patients presenting with hirsutism
or androgenic alopecia. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1994 Aug;41(2):231-6.
- Carey
AH, Chan KL, Short F, White D, Williamson R, Franks S. Evidence
for a single gene effect causing polycystic ovaries and male pattern
baldness. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1993 Jun;38(6):653-8.
- Futterweit
W, Dunaif A, Yeh HC, Kingsley P. The prevalence of hyperandrogenism
in 109 consecutive female patients with diffuse alopecia. J Am
Acad Dermatol. 1988 Nov;19(5 Pt 1):831-6.
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