PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA ON WOMEN - COMPARISONSWITH BALDING MEN AND WITH FEMALE CONTROL SUBJECTS

Background. Several studies have examined the psychological impact of androgenetic alopecia on men but scientific evidence is absent regardi ng its effects on women. Objective. Our purpose was to determine the p sychosocial sequelae of androgenetic alopecia in women and, comparativ ely, in men. Methods. Subjects were newly referred patients with andro genetic alopecia (96 women and 60 men) and 56 female control patients. Subjects completed standardized questionnaires to assess their psycho logical reactions to their respective conditions and to measure body i mage, personality, and adjustment. Results. Androgenetic alopecia clea rly was a stressful experience for both sexes, but substantially more distressing for women. Relative to control subjects, women with androg enetic alopecia possessed a more negative body image and a pattern of less adaptive functioning. Specific correlates of the adversity of pat ients' hair-loss experiences were identified. Conclusion: The results confirm the psychologically detrimental effects of androgenetic alopec ia, especially on women. The implications for patient care are discuss ed.