Androgenetic Alopecia in Transgender Men: A Literature Review and Therapeutic Insights

Abstract

Introduction: An individual who identifies with a gender different from the one assigned to them at birth is called transgender, and in the pursuit of alignment between their identity and body, these individuals often undergo hormonal treatments. The focus of this research is to assess, through literature reviews, a specific side effect of such treatment in transgender man, which is hair loss, referred to here as alopecia.

Material and Methods: This article examines hormonal treatment side effects in gender transition, focusing on trichology. Utilizing an exploratory bibliographic approach, the research sourced materials from databases like Web of Science, Cochrane, and Medline.

Results and Discussions: Studies on transgender men undergoing testosterone therapy reveal varying percentages of AGA, with evidence suggesting a correlation between AGA incidence and the duration of hormonal treatment. Conflicting findings on predictive factors, including age and testosterone therapy type, complicate the understanding of AGA development. Genetic predisposition and family history also influence the onset of hair loss in transgender men, with those with a family history experiencing it earlier than those without. Overall, AGA in transgender men exhibits complexities influenced by hormonal treatment, genetics, and family history.