Androgenetic alopecia (also called pattern hair loss) is the most common cause of gradual scalp thinning in men and women. The key clinical idea is miniaturization: genetically sensitive follicles gradually produce thinner, shorter hairs over time, following a characteristic distribution (temples/crown in many men; widening midline part/central thinning in many women).
Medical note: This page is for general education and does not provide personal medical advice. If hair loss is rapid, painful/burning, associated with pustules/crusting, heavy scale, or a shiny scar-like scalp, start here: When to See a Doctor. For the diagnostic pathway, see How Hair Loss Is Diagnosed and Scalp Biopsy.
Quick navigation
- Start here (fast)
- What pattern hair loss is (men vs women)
- Diagnosis-first: AGA vs shedding vs AA
- Treatment roadmap (stepwise)
- Procedures & devices (when they fit)
- Women-specific notes (PCOS, pregnancy)
- Timeline & expectations
- References
Start here (fast)
- Not sure if it’s shedding or breakage? Start with: Shedding vs Breakage (Practical)
- Seeing active shedding? Use: Hair Shedding Hub
- Autoimmune pattern clues (patches/brows/lashes)? Use: Alopecia Areata Hub
- Want the big map? Use: Types of Hair Loss
If the story is starting from what you notice in the mirror rather than from a diagnosis name, the most useful complaint-first pages now are Wide Part Hair Loss, Thin Ponytail Hair Loss, Visible Scalp Hair Loss, Hairline Hair Loss, and Crown Hair Loss.
What pattern hair loss is (men vs women)
Pattern hair loss is typically non-scarring and progresses over time. What changes is the hair shaft caliber (thicker terminal hairs gradually become finer). The distribution often differs:
- Men (common pattern): temples + crown/vertex thinning, sometimes progressing to a connected pattern.
- Women (common pattern): widening midline part + diffuse central thinning; the frontal hairline is often relatively preserved.
Core article on this site: Androgenetic Alopecia: Pattern Hair Loss in Men & Women.
Diagnosis-first: AGA vs shedding vs AA
The most common real-world confusion is AGA vs telogen effluvium (TE) because TE can “unmask” underlying pattern thinning. Use these decision guides:
- Telogen Effluvium vs Androgenetic Alopecia: Tell (decision guide)
- Telogen Effluvium (Hair Shedding): Causes & Timeline
- Chronic Telogen Effluvium (shedding > 6 months)
- Diffuse AA vs Telogen Effluvium: How to Tell (must-not-miss)
- Crown Hair Loss: Causes, Clues & Next Steps (location-first triage page)
- Wide Part Hair Loss: Causes, Clues & Next Steps (central-part complaint-first triage page)
- Thin Ponytail Hair Loss: Causes, Clues & Next Steps (overall-bulk complaint-first triage page)
- Visible Scalp Hair Loss: Causes, Clues & Next Steps (scalp show-through complaint-first triage page)
- Hairline Hair Loss: Causes, Clues & Next Steps (frontotemporal and hairline complaint-first triage page)
- CCCA vs Androgenetic Alopecia: How to Tell (high-yield crown/vertex comparison)
- Diffuse Hair Loss: Causes, Clues & Next Steps (broad diffuse-entry triage page)
High-yield exam logic:
- AGA: gradual, patterned distribution + caliber variation (miniaturization).
- TE: more sudden diffuse shedding after a trigger; density feels lower everywhere.
- Diffuse AA: can mimic shedding; trichoscopy clues matter; autoimmune context may exist.
Red flags for scarring/inflammation (don’t self-manage): Scarring Alopecia.
Treatment roadmap (stepwise)
Pattern hair loss treatment is usually long-term. The goal is slow progression and (in many people) improve density. Start with the most evidence-aligned options:
1) Minoxidil (topical or oral, clinician-guided)
- Minoxidil Hub: Topical, Oral, Shedding, Safety
- Topical Minoxidil for Hair Loss: How to Use
- Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil for Hair Loss
- Minoxidil Shedding: Timeline, Causes, What to Do
- Minoxidil vs Finasteride: Which to Start First
2) Anti-androgen options (prescription; context-dependent)
- Finasteride & Dutasteride Hub
- Finasteride vs Dutasteride: Differences, Risks, Fit
- Finasteride for Hair Loss: Benefits & Risks
- Topical Finasteride for Hair Loss: Evidence & Safety
- Dutasteride for Hair Loss: What to Know
- Spironolactone for Hair Loss: Who It Helps
3) Scalp support (adjunct; not a standalone cure)
- Ketoconazole Shampoo for Hair Loss: What Helps
- Hair Care During Hair Loss
- High-level framework: Treatment Overview.
- Combining Hair Loss Treatments: When Add-Ons Help
- Do I Need Hair Loss Treatment Right Now?.
- Which Hair Loss Treatment Should I Start First?
- Do I Need Tests Before Hair Loss Treatment?
- Will My Hair Grow Back? Hair Loss Recovery Guide
- What Does Early Hair Regrowth Look Like?
- What Does Baby Hair Mean?
- Is This Regrowth or Miniaturization?
- Can Miniaturized Hair Grow Back Thicker?
- Why Is My Part Still Wide After Shedding?
- Why Is My Ponytail Still Thin After Shedding?
- Why Is My Crown Still Thin After Shedding?
- Why Are My Temples Still Thin After Shedding?
- Why Is My Hairline Still Thin After Shedding?
- Why Is My Scalp Still Visible After Shedding?
- How Long Does Hair Regrowth Take?
- Why Isn’t My Hair Growing Back?
- How to Track Hair Regrowth Without Guessing
Procedures & devices (when they fit)
- Microneedling for Hair Loss: Evidence & Safety
- PRP for Hair Loss: Does It Work?
- Low-Level Laser Therapy for Hair Loss: Guide
- Hair Transplant for Hair Loss: Who It Fits
Women-specific notes (PCOS, pregnancy)
Female pattern hair loss can overlap with iron/thyroid issues, postpartum shedding, or hyperandrogen states (like PCOS). Use:
- PCOS Hair Loss: Signs, Tests, and Next Steps
- Female Pattern Hair Loss vs Telogen Effluvium: How to Tell
- Blood Tests & Workup
- Hair Shedding Hub (postpartum / medication-related shedding paths)
Timeline & expectations
- Hair grows slowly. A fair treatment trial is often measured in months, not weeks.
- Consistency matters more than “adding 10 products.”
- If you want the expectations framework used across this site: Prognosis & Expectations.
References (trusted medical sources)
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD): Male pattern hair loss treatment
- AAD: Female pattern hair loss
- DermNet NZ: Male pattern hair loss
- British Association of Dermatologists (BAD): Female pattern hair loss leaflet
- NCBI Bookshelf (StatPearls): Androgenetic Alopecia
Last updated: April 23, 2026.