Female Pattern Hair Loss
Androgenetic alopecia is a condition in which hair thins and becomes less dense due to androgens, male hormones.
In men, oral medications such as finasteride and dutasteride are the most effective treatments. For women, topical minoxidil can be somewhat effective, while spironolactone is a less effective option.
Elkrane (17a-estradiol) is a stereoisomer of the female hormone 17β-estradiol. It works by:
Inhibiting the activity of 5α-reductase, which converts testosterone (T) to its active form, dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Inhibiting 17β-dehydrogenase, which reduces T and DHT synthesis.
Stimulating aromatase, which converts T and DHT to estrogens.
A study conducted by the Department of Dermatology at Yeungnam University College of Medicine in Wonju, South Korea, evaluated the efficacy of Elkrane in women with female pattern hair loss. The study included 18- to 55-year-old women with an average age of 41.61 years.
Of the patients, 62.74% had a family history of hair loss.
The study found that Elkrane was effective in increasing hair count and thickness. After 8 months of treatment, the mean hair count increased by 31.57 hairs/cm2, and the mean hair thickness increased by 10.39 μm.
Subjective assessments by both the evaluators and the patients also showed improvement.