Male Hair Loss / Pattern
Baldness
In men, androgenic alopecia is commonly called male pattern
baldness or MPB. The hair generally starts to recede at the
hairline and gradually disappears from the crown. In women
this is referred to as female pattern baldness. For women
the pattern is less about receding hairlines, but more likely
to be a general thinning of all hair.
Alopecia is the term for hair loss although there are other
types beyond the androgenic alopecia; including alopecia areata
which is patchy hair loss generally in children and young
adults which often reverses itself over time. Alopecia universalis
is a condition where all body hair falls out.
Male Pattern Baldness accounts for roughly 95% of the hair
loss in men. By age 50 more than 85% of men will have significant
thinning of their hair .
The Emotional Impact of MPB
According to Money Magazine , Americans have driven the hair
loss business to a more than $1 billion a year industry. More
than 35 million men are suffering from some form of hair loss.
The emotional ramifications of hair loss can have a devastating
effect on self esteem, personal identity and interpersonal
relationships. Some men take an aggressive stance and shave
their head for image or career enhancement. Many celebrities
and actors have used the baldness of a shaved head to stand
out from the pack. For those suffering from a medical condition
which has prompted the hair loss it can feel like salt in
the wound, creating depression and impeding the healing process.
Organizations like Locks of Love have helped children deal
with the emotional impact of hair loss.
The Role of DHT
Dihydrotestosterone or DHT is a metabolized form of testosterone
which blocks which is believed to be responsible for most
male pattern baldness. The DHT binds with the androgen receptors
on the follicle of the hair; it blocks or interrupts the hair
growth cycle and prevents essential nutrients from reaching
the follicle. Over time hair gets thinner, finer and eventually
the regrowth stops. A DHT
blocker can help prevent the binding of DHT to the hair
follicle, and slow or prevent hair loss.
FDA Approved Treatments
There are two products approved by the FDA to treat male pattern
baldness and other forms of hair loss; Propecia (Finasteride)
and Rogaine (Minoxidil).
Propecia
Propecia is thought to grow hair in about 50% of the men after
a year and 66% of the men after 2 years. It is also believed
to be helpful in stopping new hair loss in about 85% of men.
Propecia is not as successful in working at the temples of
receding hairlines.
There are side effects for Propecia. Propecia can not be
used by women or children. Women who are or potentially could
be pregnant can not touch or handle Propecia as it could cause
abnormalities in the development of male baby’s sex
organs.
Side effects from the use of Propecia include allergic reactions
(rash, itching, hives and swelling of lips or face), problems
with ejaculation, breast tenderness and enlargement and testicular
pain. Sexual dysfunction, reduction of sexual desire or a
reduction in the amount of semen were experienced in 2% of
the men using Propecia.
Minoxidil
Rogaine is billed as the only topical brand to regrow hair
in both men and women. It claims to regrow hair in 85% of
men after only 4 months.
Minoxidil also has side effects including excessive hair
growth and mild weight gain.
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