Posted On: Wednesday, December 14th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Hair loss – its causes, impact, and options for treatment: Hair loss is a condition that is fairly common and it afflicts many people. Although physically painless, it causes emotional harm. However, various effective treatment options against male pattern baldness have been developed thanks to scientists.
Hair loss causes what’s known as male pattern baldness, when hair is lost in a certain pattern, and it’s the main cause of hair loss in men. Hair starts to thin toward the front first and later at the crown of the head. Then you see a bald spot forming in the center of the scalp. Baldness of the male pattern type might eventually wind up as either partial or total baldness. Male pattern baldness is related to the production of testosterone, the male sex hormone. Testosterone is then converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. Some men’s bodies produce too much DHT. Too much DHT decreases the size of follicles so that new hair cannot easily grow.
Other causes include genetic factors, adverse reactions to prescription medications, fungal scalp infections, hypothyroidism, iron deficiency, stress, chemicals and radiation.
Psychological impact of hair loss: Male pattern baldness occurs over a period of time and does not cause any physical pain. However, young men are very sensitive about this condition. They think that their hair loss makes them personally less appealing. It adds years to someone’s appearance. Introductions can be awkward, especially with members of the opposite sex. Men who lose their hair may, over time, have low self esteem that makes them nervous about appearing in public.
Hair loss may not be physically painful, but it is emotionally distressing. Men losing their hair will try anything, from shampoos and oils to all sorts of concoctions, as long as it purports to take care of the problem. But professionals warn people away from trying every herbal treatment that comes down the pike. This is because many of the products are a waste of money because they do not treat the problem or produce the promised results.
Prescription medication – Propecia (finasteride) is the most effective treatment currently available to treat male pattern baldness. This drug will lessen the chance of testosterone being converted to DHT and that means there won’t be an excess of DHT. Working the way it does, Propecia stimulates new hair growth as it stops more hair loss. Only men should use Propecia; it shouldn’t even be touched by women or children.
Rogaine, which is really minoxidil lotion, is an additional treatment approved by the FDA. You can buy minoxidil without a prescription. You must rub the lotion into the scalp two times daily. Minoxidil is safe for both genders.
Purchasing Propecia on the web: It is easy to buy generic Propecia (finasteride) on an online pharmacy.
Tags: baldness, hair loss, Propecia
Categories: Men's Health