Androgen hormones are primarily produced by the testes in men and ovaries in premenopausal women. However, the adrenal gland also produces these hormones.(15, 22)
Some hair loss patients may have conditions that increase the production of these androgen hormones by the adrenal gland. These include:(15, 22)
Drugs called glucocorticosteroids can help block the production of excess androgen hormones by the adrenal gland. These steroidal drugs include prednisone and dexamethasone.(15)
The drug cyproterone acetate may also help. It is actually an androgen receptor antagonist. However, it also weakly inhibits androgen hormones produced by the adrenal gland.(15)