Epidemiology

The prevalence of pattern hair loss may be as high as 98% and as low as 40%, depending on the study definitions.[1][3][4][5]​ Historically, male- and female-pattern hair loss has been significantly underestimated by the exclusion of the early stages of hair loss. In men, the age of onset usually is between 20 and 25 years, and prevalence and severity of disease increase with age. In general, 30% of white people are affected by age 30 years, 50% by age 50 years, and 80% by age 70 years. The global incidence varies among ethnic groups with the greatest incidence in white people, followed by Asians, African Americans, and Native Americans.[4][5][6]​ In women, the onset of hair loss is usually before 40 years, and over 10% of premenopausal women have some evidence of pattern hair loss.[2][7][8][9][Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Female-pattern androgenetic alopeciaFrom the collection of Robert Haber, MD [Citation ends].com.bmj.content.model.Caption@189998a7​ However, the incidence increases in women around the time of menopause and may affect up to 56% of women over the age of 70 years.[7]

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