Pharmacological treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Results of an observational study

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common disorder concerning about 30% of males above the age of 30 and 50% above the age of 50 and it tends to get worse with time. We treated 53 out-patients with mild or moderate AGA (II to IV on the Norwood-Hamilton scale) with 1 mg/day finasteride for a one year period. At the 3rd month of treatment we considered patient's evaluation of the efficacy of treatment. Satisfaction was evidenced in 75.5%. Side effects within the sexual sphere occured in 10,27% of patient's: libido reduction and erectile dysfunction in 3,27% increase of sexual stimulation in 7%. Sexual activity became normal when therapy was completed. All patients that completed one year therapy (34/53; 64,15%) experienced a clinical improvement without side-effects. Futhermore, in 9,4% of patients who did not respond whithin the first 3 months, and continued treatment, evidenced an improvement later on. Patients that evidenced a progression in hair loss have been treated with 2% topical minoxidil, b.i.d., with moderate success