Which condition is known as male or female pattern baldness?

Androgenic alopecia is the correct answer because it refers specifically to the hereditary condition that leads to progressive hair thinning and loss, commonly experienced as male pattern baldness in men and female pattern baldness in women. This condition is influenced by genetics and hormones, specifically androgens, which play a significant role in the regulation of hair growth.

In men, it typically presents as a receding hairline and thinning at the crown, while in women, it usually results in overall thinning, particularly at the crown, often sparing the frontal hairline. Recognizing this condition is important for understanding the patterns and potential treatments available for hair loss in different genders, which can include medications, hair transplants, or lifestyle changes. Other options do not describe this specific type of hair loss. For instance, alopecia areata is characterized by sudden hair loss in patches, not a pattern; scarring alopecia leads to permanent hair loss due to inflammation and scarring of the hair follicles; and telogen effluvium is temporary hair shedding often triggered by stress or hormonal changes.