Enhancing Quality of Life and Sexual Functioning in Female Androgenetic Alopecia: Therapeutic Potential of Hair Follicle-Derived Stem Cells

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Background The study aimed to examine the impact of stem cell treatment on quality of life (QoL) and sexual functioning in women with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Methods Twenty-three women underwent a single session of autologous cellular micrografts (ACMs). The World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were used before and after 6 months. Results The AGA severity decreased by an average of 1 point on the Ludwig scale ( p = 0.004) after treatment. FSFI scores indicated sexual dysfunction in over half of the women at baseline, but they improved significantly post-treatment for arousal [median (IQR): 4.8 (1.5) vs. 5.10 (0.9); p = 0.035] and satisfaction [4.4 (1.4) vs. 4.8 (1.8); p = 0.025]. QoL scores improved after treatment in psychological health (57.96 ± 19.0 vs. 69.35 ± 14.0; p = 0.031) and environment (72.96 ± 13.4 vs. 81.09 ± 12.6; p = 0.007), but not in physical health and social relationships. No associations were found between the WHOQOL-BREF or FSFI domains versus age and AGA severity. Conclusions AGA reduces QoL and impacts sexual functioning in women with AGA. The high treatment burden arises from the chronic and progressive nature of AGA, coupled with limited treatment effectiveness. Effective treatments for AGA, like ACM, are urgently needed to enhance patient-reported outcomes along with clinical

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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