Testosterone And Male Pattern Baldness

You are an aggressive, highly sexed, macho male, pumping testosterone throughout your body. You may be proud of your muscles, of your sexual drive, your testosterone-filled body. Yet the very thing that makes you a big strong sexual male can also make you bald. And to add insult to injury - the more hair you lose on your head, the more hair you will grow in your ears, nose, upper back, and shoulders.

The first signs that testosterone is linked to male pattern baldness were the eunuchs, who unlike their uncut male friends, never lost any hair. Fifteenth century castrati in the Italian opera always had a full head of hair. So did all soldiers whose battlefield injury happened to include any harm to the testosterone and DHT manufacturing center - the testes. But the hormonal link in balding is complex. Eunuchs, who produce no testosterone, never go bald even if they have a baldness gene. However, if castrated men with a family history of baldness are given testosterone, they lose hair in the classic horseshoe-shaped pattern. So how does the testosterone affect the male pattern baldness?

Normally the scalp loses roughly 100 hairs a day and sprouts 100 new ones. But the sex hormone testosterone can upset this break-even dynamic. Testosterone, in the form of DHT, or dihydrotestosterone stimulates hair growth on the face and the body. But in men who carry a certain common gene, the same hormone gradually defoliates the scalp, causing their aging heads to grow shiny even as their ears, noses and shoulders sprout more hair. Scalp hair loss is influenced by the transformation of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). If there is already a hereditary tendency for hair loss, chances are, the scalp hair will thin and lead tomale pattern baldness.

How does testosterone, the very same hormone that in your mother's womb made you a male instead of a female, actually promote hair loss on your head? Studies show that while balding men don't have higher than average circulating testosterone levels, they do possess above-average amounts of DHT in the scalp follicles. So it isn't the testosterone itself that promotes your shiny noggin. Testosterone transforms into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, which is produced in the prostate, various adrenal glands, and the scalp. Over time, the action of DHT causes the hair follicle to degrade and shortens the active growth phase in the hair follicles. Although the follicle is technically still alive and connected to a good blood supply (it can successfully nurture a transplanted follicle which is immune to the effects of DHT) it will grow smaller and smaller as the male pattern baldness progresses. However, the sebaceous gland attached to it remains the same size. As the hair shafts become smaller, the gland continues to pump out about the same amount of oil. So as your hair thins, you will notice that your hair becomes flatter and oilier.

Some follicles will gradually die, but most will simply shrink to the size they were when you were born. Meaning the hair that grows in these "baby" follicles is weaker, thinner, just as it was when you were a couple of days old. With a steadily shorter active growing cycle in the follicles, more hairs are shed, the hairs becoming thinner and thinner until they are too fine to survive daily wear and tear. Balding hair gradually changes from long, thick, coarse, pigmented hair into fine, un-pigmented "peach fuzz" hair, just like those fine little hairs on your forehead or on women's cheeks.

But excess DHT doesn't cause male pattern baldness on its own. Most men who lose their hair have a hereditary condition called androgenic alopecia. If such men indeed have increased levels of a hormone known as 5-alpha reductase and this transforms testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), then they may suffer from hair loss. The rate of hair shedding in androgenic alopecia is speeded up by three forces: advancing age, an inherited tendency to bald early, and our already most familiar friend, excess DHT in the hair follicle.

So who's at most risk for hair loss? Genetically, light-haired and skinned men are more likely to lose their hair than dark-haired and skinned men. Furthermore, Caucasian males are much more likely to lose their hair than non-Caucasians. So, if you are a blond, light skinned Caucasian, with a family history of male pattern baldness, you are several times more likely to lose your hair than a Japanese man, for example, or an African-American man.

Of course, genetics and over-production of DHT in the hair follicle are not the only causes for hair loss. Hair loss is aggravated by your diet, which in turn can affect the way your body produces hormones. In a recent study in Japan, it was found that more and more men are suffering from baldness and hair loss the more westernized their diet becomes. It is known that fatty foods and red meat, two staples of a westernized diet, contribute to hair loss. And of course stress, which activates production of adrenaline (the same family of testosterone), encourages hair loss as well.

So what can you do aside from pray to wake up tomorrow as a big strapping black basketball player? Keep calm. Eat balanced and healthily, even adopt a more eastern diet with more vegetables and soy products. But as far as male pattern baldness, remember this. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Your bald head and hair loss is just nature's way of indicating that you're a guy pumped to the gills with all the good stuff that makes you a sexual male - testosterone and DHT.

Tag : male pattern baldness,baldness,testosterone

Defeat Male Pattern Baldness With Treatment

Take a stroll down the crowded streets of London or Worcestershire and you will find many bald men of different ages. Some of them have accepted their baldness while others try different non-clinical methods to improve their appearance. Using wigs or trying ingenious combing techniques is not uncommon, especially as most bald men recognise their hair loss too late and give up on medical treatment. But hey! Here is a medicine which is worth trying to treat male pattern baldness (MPB), the most common type of male hair loss. It is Propecia finasteride - an FDA-approved medicine that claims to provide a visible solution to male pattern hair loss. The good news about this medicine is that it can stop hair loss within a year and can even initiate new hair growth.

How it male pattern baldness caused?

What exactly causes MPB is still not well understood. Most dermatologists believe that this condition is caused by hormonal and genetic factors. Recent research has revealed that a man can start losing his scalp hair as a result of a gene variation inherited from either side of his family, paternal or maternal. When it comes to hormonal causes, an androgenic hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can cause MPB by damaging the hair follicles.

High levels of free testosterone and an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase can also trigger male pattern hair loss. Studies show that men who are most likely to suffer from this type of hair loss have low levels of total testosterone in their body. 5-alpha reductase can convert free testosterone to DHT and this is one of the main reasons many men tend to lose hair as they grow old. The amount of free or unbound testosterone tends to increase with age.

How can you treat male pattern baldness?

Finasteride, the active ingredient of Propecia, is basically a 5-alpha reductase blocker. Once-a-day finasteride can inhibit the testosterone-dihydrotestosterone conversion and in doing so, can prevent follicle damage. With follicles remaining active and capable of producing new hair, chances of telling your grandchildren a tale of how you prevented baldness and experienced hair regrowth manifold.

Male pattern hair loss being a progressive condition may be controlled with certain small lifestyle adjustments. It is vaguely suggested that endurance-enhancing aerobic exercises or weight training can reduce the volume of free testosterone in the body, which can help decelerate hair loss. But it is only a hypothesis as of now and not supported by any empirical research.

Early diagnosis plays an important part in hair loss treatment. As the term suggests, MPB follows a particular pattern, which you can identify by yourself. First your hairline will start to grow back, followed by loss of hair in patches on the crown. This should alert you to seek medical help so as to prevent further loss of hair. Results with Propecia show that this medicine is very effective in preventing hair loss on the crown, but may not stop your hairline from receding. In any case, you can figure out whether or not finasteride is working for you within 6-12 months.

The Causes and Treatments For Male Pattern Baldness

Hair Thinning and Baldness in Men
Male pattern baldness can occur at any time. Many men first notice the signs of hair thinning and baldness as they approach their 30's. Male pattern baldness usually develops gradually, involving the appearance of a bald spot on the crown of the scalp accompanied by thinning at the temples.

Causes of male pattern baldness
Baldness can occur for numerous reasons. It is popular belief that the male sex hormone testosterone plays a major part in male pattern baldness. While this is true, the relation testosterone has to this is complicated and regularly misunderstood. Testosterone is converted by the body into DHT. The concentration of DHT in the blood does not play a direct contributing factor to hair loss. Research suggests that male pattern baldness is actually caused by an over sensitivity of the scalps hair follicles, this is a reaction to the hormone DHT. This goes against the popular belief that bald men have lost their hair because they have more testosterone.

Both men and women produce testosterone and DHT. It should come as no surprise that female hair loss is also common, although this is more common in men due to the fact that androgens occur in much higher concentrations in males.

Male pattern baldness can be hereditary. Despite common perception, however, familial baldness patterns are not reliable as reliable as often professed. The fact that your parent or grandparent exhibited a given pattern does not guarantee your hair loss development will be the same.

Facts about male pattern baldness
If you are suffering from hair thinning or male pattern baldness then the good news is that you are not alone. It is predicted that 2/3 of men will ultimately experience hair loss. The highest rates of hair loss are found amongst Caucasians. Chinese and Japanese men have the lowest rates, although this male pattern baldness does not occur at all amongst Native Americans. The reasons for this are unknown.

Psychological effects of hair loss in men
Suffering from baldness can have psychological consequences that significantly diminish quality of life. Experiencing any type of hair loss can be very distressing. Nobody wishes to lose their hair, you still feel youthful but your hair is saying otherwise. In a recent research study it was found that 85% of men suffering from losing their hair were preoccupied with the loss. They experienced feelings of vulnerability and jealousy of men with full healthy heads of hair. Premature loss of hair amongst men is described to be even more distressing; men who experience hair loss in their early 20's are much more likely to have issues with low self-esteem.

Treating Baldness in Men
The bad news is that there is no miracle cure for male pattern baldness, there are however many drugs and surgical treatments available which can lead to great improvements or even the re growth of hair. Making changes in your hair care system and overall lifestyle can also help minimise the appearance of male pattern baldness and prevent further thinning and loss of hair.
Browsing our pages you will find a huge collection of information about all of the treatments, products, remedies and surgical treatments available to you to help treat hair loss. All of the information we provide is completely free.

Tag :  male pattern baldness,male pattern baldness treatments,pattern baldness

Male Pattern Baldness - What Causes Hair Loss?

Most authorities on hair loss and male pattern aldness agree that over 50 percent of American males will lose a substantial amount of hair before reaching old age. Just take a look around you sometime and you will likely see a number of balding heads visible in a crowded place at any given time. If you were to take a count of the number of men with balding heads versus men with a full head of hair, the numbers might surprise you. Many of the men you see with balding heads are at the peak of their lives and should be living life to the fullest. Instead they are experiencing a drastic change in their appearance which could ultimately affect their self image.

What most of these men is experiencing is a condition known as male pattern baldness. Androgens are the male hormones responsible for producing masculine physical traits. These hormones work together with inherited genetic tendencies, also responsible for most of the hair loss experienced by men throughout history in every culture in the world.

Male Pattern Baldness is a genetic syndrome. An individual inherits all physical characteristics such as eye color, build, height, facial features and hair color from his ancestors. Although the tendency toward baldness is an inherited characteristic. The pattern of hair loss and the rate at which the loss will progress are genetically determined. Common folklore says that badness is a masculine trait, actually baldness is carried through the female genetic line. Therefore, if a man's maternal grandfather was bald, the man is likely to bald as well. It is not unheard of for families to exhibit three generations of bald men, genetic patterns are not that simple. Many different genetic codes relating to hormone production, cellular sensitivity and other factors are inherited by each individual in unique combinations. These various genes may be inherited through either the mother's line or the father's line. The genetic programing an individual inherits may reflect either his maternal or paternal heritage. In some cases, the pattern may be recessive dating back to generations long since dead and sometimes the pattern of baldness is not like that of any known relative.

The specific mechanism that causes male pattern baldness is initiated by an androgen, or male hormone, called testosterone, which is acted upon by a specific hormone at a genetically programmed point in an individual's life. Testosterone itself does not cause baldness. However, when it is acted upon by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, a new related hormone is formed. The new hormone, called dihydroxytestosterone, or DHT, causes the follicles of the hair to become sensitized and to turn off their typical renewal cycle.

The actual process within each strand of hair is a gradual one. The average two-to six-year growth cycle is shortened so that an ever increasing number of hair follicles are in the telogen or resting stage. Those hairs still functioning within the balding area grow more slowly, and the hair begins to thin out. Finally a few or no hairs grow within the balding area. Tiny Vellus hairs do continue to grow but they are hardly visible. As metabolism in the hair follicles slows, the blood supply to the bald area decreases causing the epidermis of the scalp to become more and more thin. This is a result of baldness, not a cause.

As the scalp becomes thinner, the sebaceous glands in the bald area tend to become more active. This activity causes an oily, shiny scalp as well as a dandruff problem in many cases.

Androgens also appear to be the culprit, at least in part, for hair loss in women, particularly later in life. All humans produce both male and female hormones. Males produce greater amounts of testosterone, and females produce greater amounts of estrogen. When the normal production of the hormone specific to the gender of the person is thrown out of balance by age, disease or surgery, greater amounts of the hormone characteristic of the opposite sex sometimes results. In women whose ovaries are removed during surgery or destroyed by disease, thinning of scalp hair and increased growth of body hair are not uncommon. Those same characteristics can also develop as the body's natural hormone production declines with age.

Age, naturally is a contributing factor to hair loss and male pattern baldness. As a man grows older the likelihood that he'll also grow bald increases dramatically. As testosterone levels decrease with age, baldness continually progresses as more and more follicles become sensitized to the hormones.

Tag : male pattern baldness,baldness,hair loss

Hair Loss - Male Pattern Baldness Specifics

There are a number of different reasons why men lose hair. Some hair loss can be caused by the stress created from a particular hairstyle, like tight braids or ponytails. Some can be the result of illness or stress. And some hair loss is caused by hormone problems such as a thyroid condition. But the vast majority of hair loss in men between the ages of 20 and 50 is the result ofmale pattern baldness.

There are between 100,000 and 150,000 hairs on the average human head. These hairs grow from hair follicles, a sheath like construction that contains the hair as well as supporting structures to provide nourishment for the hair. The hair growth cycle consists of a growth phase and a resting phase. At any one time about 90 % of hair is in the growth phase, which lasts from 2 to 5 years; and the other 10% is in the resting phase, which lasts from 2 to 4 months. When the resting phase is over, the hair in that follicle falls out and is replaced by a new hair. On a normal day about 100 hairs a day are lost. When this loss occurs at an elevated rate, or the growth cycle is shortened, balding results.
.
While there are unknowns about the cause of male pattern baldness, it does seem to follow a familiar course. Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is just that: hair loss in men that follows a pattern. Approximately 25% of men begin going bald by age 30 while 66% begin by age 60. Typically balding starts at the temples and, or the crown of the head, and continues receding until the hair on top part of the head is completely lost. The thinning process can last for several years and will occasionally result in the complete loss of head hair - but usually ends up in the familiar horseshoe shaped hair one often sees.
 
The culprit in this genetically controlled disorder appears to be the effect of an enzyme on male hormones, which disrupts the function of hair follicles. The enzyme 5-alpha reductase causes the male hormone testosterone to convert into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT acts on the follicles hormone receptor cells in a way that causes them to shrink, and gradually produce finer and shorter hairs until production stops altogether. The growth cycle will gradually shorten so that more hairs than normal are shed. There are high levels of testosterone in males after puberty, which increase the size of follicles in other body areas leading to pubic and facial hair; but for some men, it operates in the opposite way with some of the follicles on the head.

While at one time it was believed that the mother's side of the family decided someone's eventual baldness fate: it can come from either side of one's parentage. All factors involving one's pattern hair loss - the onset of baldness, the pattern of it, and the speed with which it progresses appear to be genetically predetermined. Those who experience the onset of balding earliest in life, tend to be the one's who wind up with the most extensive hair loss.

There are approved remedies available for hair loss, which have produced positive results in some men. Minoxidil is a topical medication used originally to treat high blood pressure, and used by many to stop male pattern baldness, and promote new growth. It has a very high success rate in stopping hair loss (90%) and can grow new hair in about 20% of those who use it. Its use must be continued, or hair loss will resume, and all new hair will fall out. It is available in both 2% and 5% solutions.

Finasteride - which is an oral medication originally prescribed for enlarged prostates - is now used to treat male pattern baldness. It blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT, and so prevents the effect of DHT on hair follicles. It has been shown to effectively stop hair loss and for some men, and to help them grow new hair. It too must be continued for life. Also, finasteride should not be taken or handled by women of childbearing age, as it has been proven to cause birth defects.

At the present time these are the only 2 medications with FDA approval for the treatment of male pattern baldness. There are others that are under consideration and that are being tested. Research continues to find even better treatments for male pattern baldness.


Tag : male pattern baldness,baldness,hair loss,specifics

Hair Loss - The Truth About Male Pattern Baldness

Hair loss is an emotive subject so it is no wonder that people are continually looking for something or someone to blame when their hair starts to become thinner. There are a great number of myths surrounding male pattern baldness, the most common form of hair loss in the UK, and here are just a few of them:

Myth 1: Male pattern baldness is inherited from your mother’s side
Truth: Although male pattern baldness is a genetic condition it can actually be inherited from either one of your parents.

Myth 2: Male pattern baldness is a sign of virility
Truth: This condition is related to the hormone testosterone, but people with male pattern baldness don’t have more testosterone than other people; their hair follicles are just more sensitive to it.

Myth 3: Hair loss is caused by wearing a hat or frequent hair washing
Truth: Male pattern baldness is a genetic condition. Unless your hat is tight enough to cut off the oxygen to the hair follicles it will not contribute to hair loss, it will actually protect your hair from the sun. Unless you wash your hair very aggressively, frequent shampooing should not cause hair loss.

So what does cause male pattern baldness?

This type of hair loss is caused by oversensitive hair follicles, which you will have inherited from one of your parents. These follicles react to a substance called DHT (dihydrotestosterone) which is produced by the male hormone testosterone.

DHT causes the hair follicles to shrink meaning that the hair is less well anchored in the scalp and is more likely to fall out causing thinning patches. Eventually the hair follicles affected by DHT will stop working altogether resulting in bald patches.

And why is it called male pattern baldness?

This hair loss condition is known as male pattern baldness because the hair tends to be lost in a very distinctive shape or pattern. In the initial phases you may notice some thinning of the hair around the crown and temples, and your hairline may start to recede upwards towards your crown.

In cases where male pattern baldness has progressed further, the balding area at the crown and the receding hairline will join up, leaving just a horseshoe shaped piece of thick hair around the back of the head. In rare cases all the hair is eventually lost, but most people retain some hair at the back of their head.

Is there anything I can do to prevent it?

As it is a genetic condition, male pattern baldness can’t be stopped altogether. However you can slow down its progression with various medication based treatments designed to reduce hair loss and stimulate regrowth. You can also look into hair transplant techniques, which take hairs from the parts of your head where hair is growing well and implant them into the thinner areas. Finally you could look into a natural looking cosmetic hair replacement solution for your hair loss condition

Could Learning All About Male Pattern Baldness Prevent Permanent Hair Loss Down the Road?

Learning all about male pattern baldness is a good place to start if you are experiencing hair loss or balding simply because it is the most common cause of hair loss. The appearance of advanced male pattern baldness in men is unmistakable while in women this condition takes on a subtler appearance. In all about male pattern baldness we will explore the causes of this common condition and provide you with some information on how to slow and possibly reverse the balding process.

Male pattern baldness is also known as androgenetic alopecia and is best described as an inherited, hormone lined condition which can come from either side of a person's family tree. For those genetically predisposed to the condition, when testosterone comes in contact with enzymes residing in the hair cell a conversion that will impact your future appearance is starting to take place; the conversion of testosterone to the many times more powerful dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Once the conversion takes place a binding process follows with DHT fastening to receptors deep within the hair follicle.

The common perception of male pattern baldness is that it begins at some point and quickly produces visible hair loss. This could not be further from the truth. In fact the incubation period in some people could be as long as 10 or 12 years before signs of balding are noticed, and even then it might be so subtle that a person simply might mistake it for poor hair care or poor nutrition.

The long lead time before balding and/or thinning starts to become obvious has to do with the gradual buildup of DHT. Over time an excess buildup of DHT causes devastating changes in the hair follicles to occur with some dying, while others are simply rendered incapable of producing new growth. Once follicles are no longer able to produce new hairs balding and/or thinning is inevitable. Another factor that makes male pattern baldness so stealthy is the massive number of follicles (100,000) that cover the scalp. Initially a few follicles lost is much like a tree falling in the middle of the forest; no one notices.

But if enough trees fall all of the sudden it will be recognized and questions will start to be asked as to why. Let's do a little fuzzy hair math to drive home our point. Let's say over a 5 year period you lose only an extra 50 hair per day, that would be about 91,250 hairs lost or over 9 percent of your total population of hair. If this loss was concentrated in a specific area, such as on the crown, without a doubt you would start to notice the impact. Over a 10 year period you will have lost about 20 percent of your hair and the appearance of your hair likely will have changed forever. As a person learns all about male pattern baldness one thing becomes obvious, early recognition and action are paramount to avoiding dramatic balding over time.

What Next? There are currently a few hair re-growth products which have been proven effective in both in blocking harmful hormones and bringing the all important dead hair follicles back to life. These specially formulated products can be used both as a preventative tool, starting before hair loss becomes severe, or after loss of hair has become noticeable. Whatever the level of balding or thinning you are experiencing these products could be just what is needed to overcome this latest life challenge.

What Causes Male Pattern Baldness

Male pattern baldness is also genetic, and the gene is passed to a child from either parent, not just the mother, as had been previously thought. Pattern baldness in men is the most common type of hair loss, and usually involves a receding hairline and baldness on the crown of the head. The root cause of baldness in men is dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, a byproduct of the male hormone testosterone. Another cause of baldness in men is hairstyle.

Male Pattern Baldness

Baldness is not only a human trait. Baldness is a condition where there is no hair in the area where it grows, usually on the head and occurs in both human beings and animals. Baldness in men is prominent because every man carries baldness causing factor in his body. baldness is really a creepy thing to experience, especially for a man, in which this is more particular. While there are no direct medical complications of pattern baldness, men who are uncomfortable with their physical appearance may opt for prescription medications that may stimulate the regrowth of hair and help reduce additional hair loss.

Male Pattern Baldness Causes

What causes male pattern baldness is when the hair follicle begins to shrink due to a buildup of testosterone and some of the natural oils. What most people don't realise is that the causes of hair loss are related to numerous conditions that often have little or nothing to do with hair growth or hair loss. male hair loss, male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia, is an hereditary condition which causes male baldness or significant male hair loss in about 66 percent of all men. But, it is important to note that hereditary factor that causes hair loss in men is not only rooted from having a mother or a father who happens to be bald. Fortunately, doctors and scientists have come to understand the causes of hair loss and are discovering new ways of treating it. The male hormone DHT or dihydrotestosterone is the main factor that causes baldness in males.

Hair Loss Prevention

The first and foremost method of hair loss prevention is to take care of your hair. Natural hair loss prevention is possible if you include diets rich in proteins, calcium, iodine, iron, magnesium, selenium, sulfur, silica and zinc. A second way to tackle hair loss prevention is with a daily multivitamin. Exercising also plays a major role in natural hair loss prevention. Of course if you think baldness is sexy and appealing then forget about it but I tell you once you have lost it, it may never come back so you better apply some hair loss prevention strategies before you regret it. If you fully understand what causes your hair loss, then decide only on the right treatment for you.

Hair Loss Treatment

Treatment is not necessary if you are comfortable with your appearance. Thankfully for most men, modern medicine provides new treatments that help delay hair loss. Remember that most of the hair loss treatments available on the market these days are most successfully applied by those who haven’t waited too long to do the right thing for their condition. But, before you decide on particular treatment, be sure to know and understand your situation first and if possible try to review the real causes of hair loss mentioned earlier in this article.

Conclusion

The exact reason and cause of male pattern baldness is not known, though it is clear that our GENETIC makeup is a huge part of it. The first and most obvious way of seeing if you are at risk for male pattern baldness is to look at pictures of your father and your grandfather. One of the identified genes involved in male pattern baldness is located on the X chromosome, which is inherited only from the maternal side, but this one gene does not explain all the cases of male pattern baldness. Though baldness in men is more accepted than ever–judging by our many bald-and-proud celebrities–not every man who experiences baldness wants to stay that way. Ever notice that the bald athletes always look good? That's because they have no fat around their cheekbones. If you are bald, join a gym and get yourself in shape.

Male Pattern Baldness Remedies Cleared By The Fda

Discovering that you are losing your hair is not a pleasant experience. Male pattern hair loss affects millions every year. Young men in their twenties and even teenagers are not immune from this traumatic experience.

Male pattern baldness is not caused by eating unhealthy and wearing hats as some may say. One of the biggest myths about male pattern hair loss is that it is caused by unhealthy eating habits. The truth is that there are many people with unhealthy eating habits with a head full of hair.

Male pattern baldness is hereditary. Even if your immediate parents have not experienced hair loss it can be inherited from grandparents since it can easily skip generations. Men who carry this gene begin to lose their hair at some point in their life due to having hair follicles that are sensitive to an androgen produced in the body called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). When an enzyme in our bodies called 5 alpha reductase mixes with testosterone it produces the androgen dihydrotestosterone.

DHT attaches to our hair follicles and this attachment does not allow blood to flow freely to the scalp. The result is thinner hair which eventually falls off. One of the most popular treatments is a prescription drug called Propecia.

Propecia is a drug that is taken once a day. It is cleared by the FDA for the promotion of hair growth in men who have male pattern hair loss. Propecia works by inhibiting the 5 alpha reductase enzyme which results in the body producing less testosterone. This treatment either stops the hair loss in some men or slows it down and in some cases does nothing.

Some men are able to thicken the hair that was thin after a period of time on Propecia. It is important to understand that Propecia can cause serious side effects in some men. Some of the side effects are loss of libido, gynecomastia (breast tenderness or enlargement), and many have reported other serious side effects. Always speak to your doctor if you decide this is something you may want to use and always monitor yourself.

Minoxidil is another drug cleared by the FDA for the promotion of hair growth in men who have male pattern baldness. It is available over the counter and it is applied directly to the scalp. Minoxidil works by reducing DHT levels on the scalp.

The third product cleared by the FDA for the promotion of hair growth in men who have male pattern hair loss is the Hairmax laser comb. This product is not a drug therefore a prescription is not necessary. The Hairmax laser comb is a device that provides the scalp with low level laser therapy (lllt).

Low level laser therapy is used as a remedy for inflammations, acne, wounds and more. lllt stimulates our hair follicles or cells to be able to fulfill their functions. Our hair follicles happen to be cells and when they receive lllt they are also energized to full fill their functions.

The laser comb helps promote blood flow to the scalp and since the cells are energized with the laser they are able to filter the waste from blood which includes DHT. The Hairmax laser comb is a good treatment for men who want to thicken their hair and halt or slow down their hair loss without experiencing the side effects that are caused by drugs.

The Hairmax Laser Comb, Minoxidil, and Propecia are the three products cleared by the FDA for the promotion of hair growth and some people use them in conjunction to enhance their results.

There are natural treatments that some have found to be effective that are not cleared by the FDA. Always do your research before starting any treatment because there are scams that like to prey on desperation and just because a product claims to be natural it does not mean that the treatment is free from side effects.

Male Pattern Baldness: Is There an Effective Treatment?

The statistics are quite staggering, by the time they reach the age of 50, 50% of the worlds' male population are affected by male pattern baldness. Many men just accept this and get on with life, but more men are learning about the newly affordable male pattern baldness treatments and want to keep their crowning glory. These new treatments started becoming available over fifteen years ago, but unless you were quite well off cost was always a major prohibiting factor (John Travolta was reported as spending around $1000 a month for his treatment). Now prices are down to a level where most people can afford high quality treatments and if started early enough there is no reason why you should ever go bald. Having said that it should be made clear that there are still no miracle cures, if you are now completely bald there is still very little that can be done apart from wearing a hairpiece. But treatments can be very effective in re-growing hair for some people. It is a matter of learning what is possible and setting your expectations accordingly. There are a few things you should know before seeking a particular type of treatment. It is firstly important to understand why male pattern baldness occurs and how it develops before deciding which of the currently available treatments is right for you.

Why Hair Loss Occurs
Male pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia is a genetically predetermined condition. The main contributing factor for causing it is the male hormone testosterone, hence this is why few females suffer from the condition and why castrated males never go bald. But testosterone does not directly cause hair loss, it interacts with an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase to produce the real culprit, a derived hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is widely acknowledged to be the main cause of hair loss in men. Men lucky enough not to go bald have hair that is resistant to the effects of DHT.

Topical Application
Now that it is known what causes male pattern baldness many hair loss shampoos have been developed specifically to remove DHT from the scalp. These types of products are deep cleansing agents known as DHT blockers and have been used effectively to stop further hair loss and provide the optimum conditions to stimulate new hair growth. You may have heard of Minoxidil male pattern baldness treatment, this is not a DHT blocker, it is thought to work by directly stimulating cell growth in the hair follicle thereby giving it a resistance to DHT. The results though are the same and because they work differently, Minoxidil and DHT blockers can be used together for an even more effective hair loss treatment.

Internal Drugs
One of the most effective oral medications for treating hair loss was discovered accidentally when developing a cure for enlarged prostate gland in men. This drug was finasteride and it was found that in low doses finasteride was effective in preventing of male pattern baldness. It is now one of very few drugs with FDA approval for the prevention and treatment of male pattern baldness and only available on prescription.

As a natural alternative to Finasteride, a herb called Saw Palmetto is often claimed to be able to reduce DHT and therefore prevent male pattern balding. There are now many natural male pattern baldness treatments that contain saw palmetto and while only small scale clinical trials have been conducted results have been positive.

Transplants
As a last resort hair transplantation may be the only option for men with a bald patch greater than about ten centimetres (4 inches). This generally involves removing a doner strip of scalp from the neck area and grafting doner follicles to the bald patch. Scalp reduction is another surgical procedure where the bald scalp area is removed altogether with the remaining scalp skin pulled together. While this may seem quite drastic it can be a quite effective procedure in removing small bald patches

Conclusions
For many men baldness is accepted as part of the aging process and they adapt gracefully to their new look. But with many new male pattern baldness treatment  available, men now have a choice in preventing hair loss altogether if they act early enough. The treatment is often needed for life but for many men that could be one of the best investments they ever make!

Tag :  male pattern baldness,effective treatment,male pattern aldness treatment

Helpful Suggestions For Dealing With Male Pattern Baldness

Dealing with male pattern baldness is a bridge that virtually all men will have to cross (and some women) at some point in their lives. One out of four men start losing their hair due to male pattern baldness before the age of 30 another 65 percent by the age of 60. So if you fall into that select five percent that are not impacted you should feel fortunate.

Dealing with male pattern baldness effectively includes gaining a better understanding of this condition. Probably the most overlooked fact concerning male pattern baldness is that it generally takes from 5 to 10 years to produce the amount of hair loss necessary to produce noticeable balding.

This phenomenon has to do with both genetic predisposition to hair loss, the androgen hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and the damage ultimately done to the all important hair follicles. It goes something like this, for those susceptible (most men and some women) testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone in the hair cell which then binds with receptors deep within the hair follicle. Over several hair cycles (a hair cycle lasts from 4 to 6 years) an excess accumulation of DHT in the follicle causes it to start to shrink thus reducing nutrient rich blood flow. Some follicles will eventually die while others will be stripped of their ability to produce new healthy hair growth.

Now that we know what causes male pattern baldness we are armed with the information needed to make the best decisions for dealing with male pattern baldness.

To reverse or halt this condition we must be able to do two things; block or restrict DHT and keep existing follicles from shrinking. The product that currently does the best job of this is minoxidil. While it is not know exactly how it works or whether it interferes with DHT what we do know is that minoxidil enlarges follicles, prolongs the growth phase, and stimulates dormant hairs to grow. It is especially effective in protecting existing hair but only moderately effective when new growth is the goal. So likely if you are looking for the best way of dealing with male pattern baldness minoxidil should be on your short list of solutions.

What Next? There are currently a handful of hair re-growth products (specially formulated for dealing with male pattern baldness) which have been proven effective both in blocking harmful hormones and bringing the all important dead hair follicles back to life. These specially formulated products can be used both as a preventative tool, starting before hair loss becomes severe, or after loss of hair has become noticeable. Whatever the level of balding or thinning you are experiencing these products could be just what is needed to overcome this latest life challenge.

Advanced Methods for Dealing With Male Pattern Baldness

The gradual onset of baldness is one of the most common occurrences in men and a normal part of the ageing process. For some men, baldness is not a big issue and no treatment is needed. However the opposite can occur when the individual finds it embarrassing and even psychologically harmful. A lot of men who are losing hair or are left with a band of hair around the sides and back feel compelled to shave it all off and adopt the bald look. Others will seek solutions to their hair loss and here are 4 treatments that are the most popular at the moment.

Oral Treatments

Preventing baldness from the root source requires a suppression of DHT. Propecia is a daily pill that's clinically proven to prevent the formation of DHT without affecting testosterone levels. The hair follicles can then effectively get back to business as usual without their normal life cycle being hindered genetically.

Topical Solutions

Propecia can sometimes generate new hair growth but the most effective treatment for this purpose is Minoxidil. It's a vasodilator which means it stimulates blood flow to the follicles, relaxes the tissues surrounding the follicle, opens up potassium channels and allows the deliverance of essential nutrients to the follicles to encourage continued growth.

Hair Transplants

Male pattern (Genetic) hair loss only affects the top and front of a person's scalp. This is because it's only the follicles in this area that contain receptors sensitive to the hormone that causes hair loss. If hair is taken from the back or even from the side of the scalp (areas where the hairs are not sensitive to genetic hair loss), and transplanted to the top or front, the hair usually continues to grow and produces hair for life.

Transplant techniques have come a long way in the past two decades. The old punch graft technique became obsolete and is replaced by 'mini' and 'micro' graft transplantation. While the old punch graft technique often created an unnatural, 'doll hair' look, modern hair transplant techniques can create a perfectly natural appearance. Today's 'mini' and 'micro' graft technique allows single hairs or a natural group of 2 or 3 hairs to be re-planted in the direction of the individual's natural growth pattern.

Laser Therapy

These days surgical hair replacement is not the only solution available for thinning hair. Choosing the right combination of medically proven treatments such as Laser Therapy can not only prevent further hair loss, but regrow hair for many men and women who have experienced thinning. Results can frequently be experienced from the use of the right combination of treatments for your individual pattern and stage of hair loss. Results can be as good as, if not better than a transplant without the need for surgery.

hair replacement

Nowadays people use the terms hair replacement and hair systems interchangeably to refer to the same non surgical restoration procedure where human or synthetic hair is added to a thin base or foundation which in turn is attached to the scalp by a variety of methods

A hair system may be preferable to transplants because it is a non surgical option for hair loss. Nowadays, hair systems can look extremely natural and virtually undetectable by sight. hair systems are versatile and can work very well for almost anyone with hair loss. If done properly, you can have a gorgeous and naturally looking head of hair in relatively little time and style anyway you prefer.It is no longer true that hair systems are obvious to others unlike days gone by. In general, people wearing hair systems may engage in almost all activities like they normally do with their own hair.

As you can see going bald these day s no longer means you have to accept the situation and go without a healthy head of hair. Treatments have come long way and more importantly are giving results that have never been seen before so if you refuse to go bald take a look at one of the options above and see if it is for you.

Treat Male Pattern Baldness Naturally With Proven Supplements

Men have a tendency to blame many unrelated things to their hair loss; they might blame it on a poor diet, for example, or on not using the right kinds of hair products early in life. The fact of the matter is, though, that male pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss in men. In the past, men dreaded this concept because there was no cure for male pattern baldness. There is still no cure today, but there are effective and exciting treatments that go after the fundamental causes of it; natural hair loss supplements have already helped many men stop hair loss in its tracks, and it can help you too.

Don't Just Accept Hair Loss
Many times, men who begin experiencing the signs of male pattern baldness simply throw up their hands and figure that there's nothing to be done about it. After all, their own father may have been bald, that they may assume that it's just the way things are going to be. If this sounds like you, it's important to realize that thanks to natural hair loss products, there is absolutely no reason to accept male pattern baldness as an inevitable, unpreventable part of your life.

Do Something About It
Natural supplements go to work on inhibiting the 5AR enzyme. That enzyme interacts with testosterone in your body; that interaction generates dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Confused? You shouldn't be. Male pattern baldness is triggered by high levels of DHT in the body. DHT binds together with androgen receptors on your scalp to shrink hair follicles, cause the loss of hair and prevent new hair from growing back in. The leading hair loss products were developed specifically with this phenomenon in mind, and unlike other products it is geared toward stopping male baldness in its infancy. By inhibiting the 5AR enzyme, they keep levels of DHT from getting high in the first place.

A Safe Male Pattern Baldness Supplement
There's no reason whatsoever to sit back and accept male pattern baldness as a part of your life. With a product like Procerin, you can safely reduce the effects of male baldness. It is all natural and won't cause any dangerous or unpleasant side effects. It is available without a prescription, meaning you can order it conveniently from home. It goes after the basic cause of male pattern baldness, giving you a genuine chance to stop hair thinning and hair loss and to regain a full head of hair. Why leave it to chance?

Tag : male pattern baldness,pattern baldness,naturally

Is Saw Palmetto Used for Male Pattern Baldness?

Many nowadays prefer a natural hair loss remedy rather than treat their hair loss with drugs and medication. If you are looking for a natural hair loss remedy for male pattern baldness, you can try saw palmetto.

Saw palmetto is a particular type of fruit that has been shown to help in hair loss according to some studies. Having some information about saw palmetto, its use and its benefits can help you decide if this natural hair loss remedy is the type of treatment that you are seeking for.

Saw palmetto is a red fruit that grows in warmer climates throughout the world. It is most often seen in South Eastern regions of the United States. Studies into the use of saw palmetto was first done for research on prostate health. However, it was also noticed during the clinical trials that this popular fruit have positive benefits to those with male pattern baldness.

Male pattern baldness is a hereditary condition that afflicts more men than women. Hair loss in male pattern baldness is characterized by a receding hairline and that continues in a horseshoe pattern. Hair on the sides and back of the head are mostly unaffected. The exact reason for male pattern baldness is still not very clear. Some studies suggest that excessive conversion of testosterone to another hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) may be an underlying cause. In the studies for prostate health, saw palmetto was shown to block the production of DHT in men suffering from enlargement of the prostate.

So how much saw palmetto should you eat for your hair loss? Unverified sources say that if you are eating the fruit, then one per day would in most instances be effective with treating your hair loss. However, if you are taking an extract, then a dosage of three hundred and twenty milligrams per day is recommended. Supplements containing nutrients of saw palmetto are also available to help with hair growth.

One of the advantages of taking saw palmetto is that there are no known side effects. This is obviously better than taking synthetic drugs or medication that may have potential adverse results. In fact, these side effects include fast heart rate, headaches, impotence, and decreased libido.

Saw palmetto should preferably be taken with other foods or substances. Otherwise, you may end up with a headache or stomachache. In addition, if you observed that you are getting allergic reactions, you should stop consuming saw palmetto immediately.

In addition, if you are fe male and pregnant, then you should not use saw palmetto without medical supervision.

Is Saw palmetto used for male pattern baldness? Currently, there is no known cure for male pattern baldness. Both conventional and natural treatments can help control the hair loss as long as one maintains the treatment. However, once the treatment is discontinued, there is the chance of recurrence. Saw palmetto may be the answer to providing your body with the necessary balance of the hormones and enzymes beneficial for combating hair loss. Do research more into this option if you are looking for a natural hair loss remedy for mild to moderate male pattern baldness.

Suffer From Male Pattern Baldness? Here Are 4 Herbal Remedies For This Specific Type of Hair Loss

Androgenic Alopecia or male pattern baldness is one of the main causes of hair loss in both men and women and is caused by the potent male hormone DHT (Dihydrotestosterone). Below are safe, natural and affordable herbal remedies for hair regrowth. The herbs used here are all effective anti-androgens, lowering the levels of DHT in our body by preventing the formation of 5 alpha-reductase - the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT

So try these 4 herbal remedies for hair regrowth.

Saw Palmetto

Saw Palmetto is one of the most popular natural herbs for hair regrowth. Its effective results have even been compared to one of the major branded hair loss pills! The great thing however, is that this will cost you a fraction of the price!

Here's how you can take Saw Palmetto:

As an oral capsule - at least 200mg a day (available in most health-food stores). Take in twice a day (morning and evening) continuously for at least six weeks to start seeing hair regrowth
As oil - Saw Palmetto oil can be applied topically on the scalp to treat hair loss effectively as it easily absorbs into the skin. For best results, apply directly on the balding or thinning hair area every night - two tablespoons full. Massage into the scalp for fifteen minutes and allow it to soak overnight. Wash it out in the morning with shampoo.

Nettle Root Extract

This is another popular herb for hair regrowth, containing vitamins A and C, and hair-healthy fats. Like Saw Palmetto, it can be taken in a few different ways:

As an oral capsule - it can be found in your local heath-food store and used as a daily supplement
Use fresh Stinging Nettle to make a hair tonic (to be used daily). You'll need the following:
Half a cup of chopped onion
Fresh nettle leaves
Half a cup of Vodka
Mix it together, cover it and keep in the refrigerator for 48 hours.
Once time has elapsed, strain it so you are left with just the liquid
Massage it into your scalp, paying particular attention to the balding/thinning areas
Rinse and follow up with your regular shampoo and conditioner
Those who have tried this noticed new hair growth after at least 2 months of daily use.

Rosemary and Sage

These two herbs used together make an excellent hair loss. Not only does it cleanse the scalp, thus stimulating the hair follicles, but it is also known to thicken the hair strands. Here's how you can apply it to your hair daily for effective results:
Remedy 1

Boil a small pot of water
Add 1/2 a cup of rosemary, sage, nettle and peach leaves
Mix together and boil for 10 mins
Strain the liquid and allow to cool
Once cool, use as a rinse before shampooing. Massage into the scalp for at least 5 minutes before rinsing.

Remedy 2

Pour 1/2 a cup of rosemary, 1/2 a cup of sage, 2 cups of fresh nettle leaves and 2 cups of apple cider vinegar into a mixing bowl, saucepan or a sterilized glass jar
Store in a dark, dry place for 2 weeks, mixing daily. Make sure it is covered.
After 2 weeks, strain the liquid into a clean glass jar (preferably a Kilner jar) and store in the refrigerator.
Apply daily, before bed to the scalp for stimulation - concentrating on the balding/thinning area.
Use for up to 1 week and then make a fresh batch

Flax Lignans

Flax Seeds are not the tastiest of foods, however it contains an important Lignan called Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside (SDG), which prevents the production of 5-alpha reductase.

Eating 2 or more tablespoons of crushed/ground flaxseeds daily will provide strong hair growth results. It is easily available from any health-food store. If like me you hate the taste, I would suggest spreading it over one of your daily meals to reduce the impact on your palette! Sprinkling it in your cereal works wonders.

What Are the Stages and Symptoms of Male Pattern Baldness and What Can You Do About It?

If you're a man chances are high that you will experience some form of balding, in fact around 50 percent of men, statistically, will experience some form of baldness in their lives. Men's balding is commonly the product of a condition called male pattern baldness or male pattern balding. How do you recognize the signs of male pattern baldness and what are its stages?

Pattern baldness in men is an inherited condition which predisposes you to some degree of thinning hair. Hair thinning in men progresses gradually from the point where it is virtually unnoticeable right through for some to complete baldness. It usually starts with a slightly receding hairline at the front.

Often the man is experiencing thinning hair on the crown of his head however at this stage this is unnoticeable whereas the receding hairline will become noticeable. As the receding hairline progresses it will become quite clear that the man is suffering from some form of advancing balding and at this stage it may also become noticeable that he is developing a bald spot on the crown of his head.

Gradually the baldness in both places advances until, in all likelihood, he develops a complete bald spot on the crown of the head. By this stage the receding hairline should be well developed and gradually the 2 grow together until they join up to produce baldness from the front to the crown of the head.

This may then advance to the point where the man becomes bald right through the top of his head with only a horse shoe of hair around the back and sides.

This is a description of the general progression and signs of male pattern baldness. Whether whether it applies to you if you have the condition is unknown until it develops fully. Many men suffer much less from baldness than what is described or suffer from baldness in a different progression or pattern. However this is a fair description of the general process of male pattern balding.

Fortunately the cause of baldness in men is known. The male hormone DHT derived from testosterone slowly limits the capacity of hair follicles to take up essential nutrients. This results in the follicle shrinking, the hair shrinking and thinning and premature death, and this hair will not be replaced sufficiently with new healthy hair.

Fortunately there are now FDA approved hair loss treatments. There are 2 treatments approved for men. One of these is called minoxidil which operates, so it is thought, by increasing the blood supply to the hair follicle. This allows the follicle an increased supply of nutrients thereby reversing the nutrient deficit and this is thought to be the major effect of minoxidil at affecting hair regrowth.

One company has recognized that using minoxidil on its own is not as effective as supplying a wide range of essential hair nutrients by way of oral supplements at the same time. If minoxidil operates to increase the flow of blood to the hair follicle then supplying all the essential hair nutrients that that follicle needs for optimum health increases the chances of successful hair regrowth.

The other product approved by the FDA is finasteride marketed as Propecia which also has been shown to be effective as a hair loss treatment however has some side-effects for men limiting sex drive which can obviously be a problem. However studies show that finasteride works as well.

Neither product works for everybody however would take from 6 months to preferably 12 months before any significant hair regrowth is observed and before anyone can decide if the product is working for them.

Tag :  male pattern baldness,stages,symptoms

Treating Male Pattern Baldness

What is male pattern baldness?

Androgenic alopecia is a common form of hair loss in both males and females. In males in particular, this condition is commonly known as male pattern baldness. The condition is characterised by a loss of hair in a semi-circular pattern, beginning above both temples. Over time, the hairline recedes to form a characteristic "M" shape. The hair also begins to thin at the crown of the head, often progressing to partial or complete baldness.

How common is it?

A large number of men are genetically prone to male pattern baldness. The condition has been diagnosed in men as young as 18-20. This type of hair loss is the result of hormonal attacks on the hair follicle. Testosterone, a hormone present in males preceding puberty, is then converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) through an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. DHT has an adverse affect on the hair follicles. Acting on a hormone receptor on the hair follicle, it serves to slow any hair production, thus leaving the sufferer with weak, shorter hair. The condition will often lead to the complete cessation of hair re-growth.

What causes male pattern baldness?

A variety of genetic and environmental factors has been identified as the fundamental causes of androgenetic alopecia. Experts have determined that this form of

Males aged 20 to 45 who become prone to hair loss are more likely to be experiencing male pattern baldness. As the term suggests, male pattern baldness follows a typical sequence or pattern. hair loss can begin in disparate areas of the scalp, although it is typical at the temples and/or on the crown of the head. The initial thinning of hair will progress to the top of the head, over a number of years, and may gradually lead to total baldness.

Preventing hair loss

There are a number of prescriptive, surgical and cosmetic treatments that are readily available for purchase. A number of these medications will help to prevent the hair loss, and some may even promote hair growth.

Treating male pattern baldness

Male pattern baldness can be treated with the use of approved prescription medications, surgical treatments and cosmetic treatments.

Prescription medication treatments include:

• Propecia

This course of treatment is to be taken once daily. Around 50% of males who have taken the medication experienced a degree of re-growth. Furthermore, a number of participants even reported a cessation in hair loss. Propecia blocks the formation of DHT and the breakdown of hair follicles.

Surgical treatments include:

• Hair Transplantation

Up to 10 active hairs are taken from the donor's scalp and transplanted onto the recipient's bald spot.

• Scalp Reduction

It is possible to remove bald spots, with the use of grafting and flapping techniques. The success of the treatment will depend on the hair loss and the scalp's elasticity.

Cosmetic treatments include:

• Artificial hair

A toupee or hairpiece can be customised to hide the affected area. However they can often become discoloured, and are also subject to stretching.

Hair loss treatments online

Propecia (Finasteride) is the first and only oral medication to be approved for the treatment of male pattern baldness. This treatment, for a condition which is thought to effect up to 25% of the male population, is effective in around 99% of men at both preventing further hair loss, as well as generating new hair growth.

Male Pattern Baldness Cure Discovered

The cause of male pattern baldness has not been known for many years. It is only through recent research that certain drugs have been proven to help treat certain cases of baldness. Leading to many health societies declaring baldness cure discovered. Several tests carried out on men that showed male pattern baldness produced similar results which showed the presence of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The presence of DHT in all samples taken from men that had male pattern baldness led to a much intense research on this compound.

This lead to certain discoveries that showed that DHT is actually testosterone that has been converted in the presence of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. It was also found that DHT freely circulates the body and when it reaches hair follicles it binds onto their walls. This causes the blood vessels around these hair follicles to constrict thus reducing blood flow to these hair follicles. This then causes the hair follicles to shrink and die causing hair loss. The DHT compound somehow accumulates in the frontal and vertex areas of the scalp. This is the reason why men bald in these areas. Women on the other hand do not have DHT so they do not show any balding that is centered on this region of the scalp.

Discovery of the male pattern baldness drug was somehow done by chance rather than medical expertise. This was the case with drugs like finasteride which was initially only prescribed to persons suffering from prostrate cancer. These patients however experienced certain side effects among which included undesirable hair growth. The link between finasteride and hair growth was then studied. This led to the discovery of the action of finasteride on hair follicles. It was found out that finasteride inhibited the enzyme involved in the synthesis of DHT. The removal of DHT from hair follicles allowed for increased hair growth. Now the drug is available in lower concentrations for the treatment of male pattern baldness.

Another drug that was introduced in the treatment of male pattern baldness is minoxidil. This drug was originally prescribed to patients suffering from high blood pressure. The drug was originally only available as an oral drug that would dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure in patients suffering from hypertension. Some of these patients however experienced certain side effects which included increased hair growth. The action of minoxidil on hair follicles was then studied. It was soon found that minoxidil dilates the blood vessels that supply hair follicles thus increasing the amount of blood that reaches these hair follicles.

The drug also opens up some potassium channels on hair follicles thus allowing them to absorb oxygen and nutrients at a much faster rate. Soon the drug was made available in the form of a topical cream of 2% minoxidil concentration for the treatment of male pattern baldness. Minoxidil can also be used to treat baldness in women unlike finasteride which specifically deals with baldness caused by DHT. These are only two examples of baldness drugs which have been discovered, a much wider selection of baldness treatment drugs are available on the market

Tag : male pattern baldness,pattern baldness,baldness,discovered

Treatment Of Prostate Enlargement And Male Pattern Baldness

There are lots of myths and misconceptions associated with baldness and to the effectiveness of the various hair loss solutions and restoration options. However, one thing is for certain - today, you don't have to put up with hair thinning and there is several actions you could take to prevent from going bald. One of the most important things to keep in mind is that non-surgical solutions come with higher possibility of success when they are commenced as soon as possible. Male pattern baldness, or MPB, is the main cause of hair thinning and baldness that face men and is brought on by a number of reasons, most of which are not completely known, but age and genetic makeup definitely play a vital role. Speaking in scientific parlance, the male pattern baldness is a result of the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.

Listed here are several common questions and answers concerning one of the most widely used drug, used for dealing with male pattern baldness - Finasteride.

What's Finasteride designed for?

Finasteride 5mg comes under the brand name Proscar and is intended for dealing with benign prostatic hyperplasia, while Finasteride 1mg is available as Propecia and is used for stopping male pattern baldness. The link between both of these health concerns that affect millions of men is the previously mentioned dihydrotestosterone, that causes the prostate to enlarge and the hair follicles to reduce in size.

How long does Finasteride take to work?

This drug isn't an immediate solution and both Finasteride 5mg (used for benign prostatic hyperplasia) and Finasteride 1mg pill (intended for MPB) require a few months for the effects become visible.

Does Finasteride actually work?

Finasteride has an extremely high rate of success - the scientific trials have confirmed that the medicine has worked for nearly 90% of all males that take it and almost half of them even experience hair re-growth.

Will my hair start falling again if I cease the treatment?

Finasteride is a therapy and not a cure - the re-grown hair will be lost once the treatment is stopped and additional hair thinning is possible.

Can Finasteride be taken for treating females?

This medication is not recommended to ladies and is a pregnancy category X since it could cause birth defects in unborn babies. In case you or anybody else in your home takes the pills, they must never be broken, smashed, or cut, and should be kept away from pregnant women at any cost!

Are there any side effects?

Virtually all non-prescription and prescription medicines come with probable side effects and this one is no exception: the most frequently documented adverse effects are abnormal ejaculation, erection dysfunction, ejaculation problem, testicular discomfort, and reduced ejaculatory volume. Additional negative effects are also possible and in case they are persistent or serious, the patient must seek medical assist right away.

If you suffer from hair thinning or quick baldness , you should go to your health care provider without delay as there are many serious health issues that could trigger it. If you are diagnosed with male pattern baldness, then get hold of your healthcare provider about taking Finasteride since it is one of the most effective and powerful medications that may prevent and reverse it!

Stem Cell Science: Hope On The Horizon For Male Pattern Baldness

Stem cell science has put forth a theory that reports that adult stem cells can be used for hair regrowth in males who are suffering from male pattern hair loss. Scientists have been focusing on capabilities of stems cells for many years regarding their role in treating male pattern baldness and other types of permanent hair loss.

Stem cell theory of hair regrowth.

It has been discovered by Professor George Cotsarelis and colleagues at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia that in men with male pattern baldness, stem cells are present in the hair follicles of both bald and hairy regions in the scalp. Also, it is found that bald people have same number of stem cells as anyone else.

Adult stem cells have the ability to self-renew, which makes them different from other cells in the body. In this self-renewal process, a stem cell can replicate itself and make new stem cells, which are further capable of dividing and transforming into specialized cells. When these stem cells are manipulated into hair follicles, they replace the shrunk follicles and can produce new hair. With further research in the stem cell science, the thought of suffering from male pattern baldness will never again be of concern.

Impaired stem cells may cause male pattern baldness

It has been found that faulty stem cells can also be the cause of onset of male pattern baldness. A research was done on 54 men with male pattern baldness. The hair follicles were compared from bald and hairy regions of these men. Similar numbers of stem cells were found in both bald and hairy patches. But in the bald patch population of hair follicle, the progenitor cell was depleted. It was concluded that the stem cells in hair follicles of bald patches are defective in nature and are unable to mature into follicle progenitor cells that are necessary for hair regrowth.

Researchers concluded that there is a wide prospect of reversing baldness as there are normal numbers of stem cells in bald patch of the scalp. They hope to develop a treatment to reactivate the stem cells in the hair follicle and restore the normal function of hair follicles. This can lead to increased levels of progenitor cells and normal hair growth.

Propecia – The hair loss medication for men

Propecia finasteride is an FDA-approved prescription medication that is used to treat male pattern baldness or alopecia. It offers the best hair loss treatment for men suffering from male pattern hair loss. Propecia pill works by preventing the conversion of a male hormone, testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which is known to cause alopecia. You should have your condition diagnosed with a doctor to get a prescription for Propecia as it has some mild side-effects in about 1%-2% men. But, even considering its mild-to-moderate side effects, its effectiveness has made it widely accepted treatment for male pattern baldness.