Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
06:41
A New Technique for Quantitative Analysis of Hair Loss in Mice Using Grayscale Analysis
Published on: March 9, 2015
Alopecia Areata Is Associated with Increased Risk of Infertility in a Retrospective Cohort Study Using TriNetX
Alexa S Podolsky1, Carolyn Goh2, Shari R Lipner3
1Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, New York, NY, USA.
Skin Appendage Disorders
|June 22, 2026
Summary
Alopecia areata (AA) is linked to a higher risk of infertility and lower pregnancy rates in women. This autoimmune condition may impact reproductive health beyond infertility alone.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Autoimmune Diseases
Background:
- Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune condition with known adverse pregnancy outcomes.
- The relationship between AA and infertility is not well-established.
- Infertility has significant psychosocial and reproductive health implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between alopecia areata and infertility.
- To examine reproductive outcomes in women diagnosed with AA.
- To compare reproductive metrics between AA patients and matched controls.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX research network.
- Included 31,404 female patients aged 18-45 with AA and matched controls.
- Compared reproductive outcomes, including pregnancy and in vitro fertilization (IVF) rates, and analyzed sex hormone levels.
Main Results:
- Alopecia areata was associated with a 21% increased risk of infertility (RR=1.21).
- AA patients had decreased likelihood of pregnancy (RR=0.78) and IVF utilization (RR=0.71).
- AA patients showed significantly lower IVF use (0.17% vs. 5.04%) and pregnancy rates (6.50% vs. 19.45%) compared to infertile controls, with lower testosterone and DHEA-S levels.
Conclusions:
- Alopecia areata is associated with increased infertility risk and reduced reproductive success.
- The findings suggest broader reproductive implications of AA beyond infertility.
- Multidisciplinary counseling and prospective research on reproductive intentions are recommended for AA patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Trichomoniasis
Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellated protozoan parasite and the causative agent of trichomoniasis, one of the most prevalent non-viral sexually transmitted infections in the United States. This extracellular parasite primarily colonizes the lower genitourinary tract in women—particularly the vagina—and in men, the urethra and prostate. Its structural and functional adaptations enable its survival, motility, and pathogenicity within the host environment.Structural Features and Host EntryT.
01:28Infertility in Females
Female infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse and affects about 10–15% of couples worldwide. The primary cause of female infertility is ovulatory disorders, which hinder the release of eggs. These disorders can be classified as hypothalamic amenorrhea, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure, and hyperprolactinemic anovulation disorders.
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of endometrial...
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of endometrial...
01:23Infertility in Males
Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...
02:07Oogenesis
In human women, oogenesis produces one mature egg cell or ovum for every precursor cell that enters meiosis. This process differs in two unique ways from the equivalent procedure of spermatogenesis in males. First, meiotic divisions during oogenesis are asymmetric, meaning that a large oocyte (containing most of the cytoplasm) and minor polar body are produced as a result of meiosis I, and again following meiosis II. Since only oocytes will go on to form embryos if fertilized, this unequal...
01:27Acne Infection
Acne is a multifactorial skin condition primarily affecting adolescents and young adults, with a global prevalence estimated to exceed 75% in this demographic. The condition is characterized by the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules, pustules, nodules, and, in severe cases, cysts, particularly in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the face, neck, chest, and back. The pathogenesis involves increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, colonization by...
01:41Spermatogenesis
Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male reproductive...