What Are the Odds a Teen Girl Will Bald?

Hi Doctor, I wrote to you and want to thank you for posting my question. I have taken my daughter to two different doctors and I received two different opinions. The first doctor said TE due to stress and the second said AGA due to family history. I did not think AGA could cause such loss on the corner forehead down to the temple. I wanted to know what the odds were that a 17 year old could have AGA. I know it can happen, but how unlucky would we have to be? Also, the area I’m talking about looks bald in photos. This has been going on since March with no regrowth.

One doctor says telogen effluvium (TE) and another says androgenic alopecia (AGA), but without an examination, I really couldn’t and shouldn’t try to help break the tie. So while I cannot comment on your daughter’s diagnosis, the general fact is AGA is more common in men. In fact, AGA (also known as male pattern baldness) is the most common cause of hair loss in men in post puberty years, including teens. I have seen rare instances where genetic hair loss can impact young women as well, but I don’t have actual statistics off hand for you. Luck doesn’t play a part, but based on my experience genetic hair loss in teen girls isn’t a common occurrence.