[Current approach in the diagnosis and therapy of alopecia in gynecology]

With an increasing frequency patients complaining problems with their hair show up in gynecologic office practices. We observe cases with alopecia androgenetica; both alopecia climacterica and postpartualis, being subgroups of alopecia androgenetica. From symptomatic as well as from pathogenetic point of view two other forms can be subdivided, to be named alopecia diffusa and alopecia areata. At the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Heidelberg an outpatients consulting programme for women with androgenetic symptoms was established some years before. The diagnostic procedures for a possible classification of the alopecia was intensified. The search for underlying internal diseases and/or endocrinopathies will be the first step towards a pathogenetically correct diagnosis, and if there is no plausible explanation reached by that, the investigation will be extended for heavy metal tracing or for the detection of other ecological damaging influences. A local treatment with thymus gland preparations (Thymu-Skin) was examined by following the conditions of a protocol. After treatment with the preparation (Thymu-Skin) 73% of all cases show improvement of the alopecia. The formula seems to be an effective alternative to the hormonal therapy. It is easy to administer and has no side-effects or contraindications. It proved also to be advisable for prophylactic use in combination with chemotherapy.