Propecia

Androgenic Alopecia as a Cause of Hair Loss

Sometime in your childhood, you may have observed your grandfather’s shiny cranium and wondered if that could happen to you too. If you asked him, he would probably have said that you have a full head of hair and that any hair loss won’t afflict you until much later in life. You could live the rest of your life satisfied with that assurance, at least until the first signs of androgenetic alopecia emerge. It really doesn’t matter how much hair you have; if there are people in your family who have suffered this condition, then there is a 50 percent chance that you may inherit the proverbial family crown.

Androgenetic alopecia is a very common condition, passed down genetically from ascendant to descendant. The prime instigating factor in causing this condition is a hormone called androgen. Androgens are important for regular male development. They are also crucial for the libido and of course, hair growth in both genders. With age, the presence of androgens, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in particular, in hair follicles causes a disturbance in the growth cycle of hair. After a follicle goes through its regular cycle and hair falls off, new growths will appear thinner and shorter. There are also other potential risk factors such as an enlarged prostate and high blood pressure, which are currently the subject of research.

Androgenetic alopecia is also called male pattern baldness, although that doesn’t mean it will not happen in women. Around 13% of women will experience this after menopause and alarmingly, 75% of them after the age of 65. This type of baldness is called such due to the M-shaped pattern displayed by people with the disorder. This is combined with thinning hair at the top of one’s head.

If one feels that androgenetic alopecia is waging war on your beloved mane, minoxidil could be of some help. Available in two or five percent solutions, 50% of men and 60% of women experienced moderate to dense regrowth after four months of use. The main drawback however, is that after stopping application, your head may look like it never used the product in less than a year. Prepare to be a minoxidil user for life if it works, and if not, a physician can make you try prescription finasteride.

Finasteride works by lessening the presence of dihydrotestosterone or DHT in the hair follicle. Also called Propecia, men may either experience hair regrowth or a halting of hair loss, at least. This medication is most successful in the crown area of the head. Interestingly, finasteride also works on patients with prostate problems such as BPH and cancer, both possible risk factors in male pattern baldness. Some sexually related side effects however, may occur. Impotence and abnormal ejaculation are the most prevalent. Pregnant women also shouldn’t use the drug as it may cause birth defects. It is no surprise that it’s a prescription drug.

It is best to consult a physician if you suspect androgenetic alopecia is affecting you. Considering possible side effects, it would be better to seek medical advice before you begin administering a treatment of any kind.