Association Between Androgenetic Alopecia Severity and Sexual Dysfunction in Male and Female Patients Attending a Dermatology Clinic: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study

Background and objectives: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) negatively impacts body image and psychosocial wellbeing, potentially contributing to sexual dysfunction. Yet, the direct relationship between AGA severity and sexual function remains underexplored. This exploratory study aimed to evaluate the association between clinical AGA severity and sexual dysfunction among treatment-naïve male and female patients attending a dermatology clinic. AGA severity was graded using the Hamilton-Norwood Scale for males and the Ludwig Scale for females. Sexual function was evaluated using the Turkish versions of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) for men and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) for women. Results: 69 patients (41 males; 28 females) were included. Sexual dysfunction prevalence was 82.1% in females and significantly correlated with AGA severity (r=-0.635; p<0.01). FSFI scores were negatively predicted by the Ludwig grade (R²=0.404; p<0.001). In males, a moderate negative correlation existed between AGA severity and IIEF scores (r=-0.391; p=0.012), primarily affecting erectile function (p=0.002) and sexual desire (p=0.008). Limitations: The small sample size is a limitation; further case-controlled studies are warranted to assess additional contributing factors and establish clinical relevance. Conclusion: In this selected dermatology clinic sample, higher AGA severity was statistically associated with lower sexual function scores in both male and female patients. Given the small sample size, cross-sectional design, absence of a control group, and potential selection bias, these findings should be interpreted cautiously and considered hypothesis-generating.