Causes of Hair Loss in Men

Women are the “Catch-22″ when it comes to medical treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Although many drugs can work to some extent, for some women, doctors are reluctant to prescribe them, and pharmaceutical companies are not exactly falling over themselves to test existing drugs or new, in particular their ability to prevent and treat female pattern baldness.

Doctors are reluctant to use systemic therapy (pill-form or another internal processing that affects the entire system) unless they know that hair loss is due to an excess of androgens in the system or sensitized “with response “to what is” normal “amounts of androgen in the system. This is because these systemic treatments may decrease the levels of androgens in the body. Therefore, doctors often choose topical (applied directly to the scalp).

The best treatment results occur when treatment is started as soon as possible after the hair loss begins with a prolonged androgenetic alopecia may destroy many hair follicles. Prolonged use of anti-androgenic hair loss at least help prevent hair loss and promote regrowth of hair follicles some of which are dormant but are still useful, the interruption of therapy leads to hair loss if you continue to androgens are not contained in any other way. Maintaining a level of vitamins and minerals helps while you are anti-androgens.

As always, treatments have the best chance of being effective if adapted to the cause of hair loss and boost hair growth.

Currently, there is only one FDA-approved treatment for hair loss in women.
Here is a list of treatments currently used to treat hair loss in women. Some of these substances have not been approved by the FDA for this specific application, but they have all been approved for other applications and used “off label” to treat hair loss.
The effectiveness of these agents and methods vary from person to person, but many women have found that the use of these treatments have made a positive difference in their hair and self esteem.

Minoxidil 2% topical treatment
Minoxidil was first used in tablet form as a medicine to treat high blood pressure (an antihypertensive). It was noted that patients treated with minoxidil experienced excessive hair growth (hypertrichosis) as a side effect. Other research has shown that the application of a solution of minoxidil directly to the scalp can also stimulate hair growth. The amount of minoxidil absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream is usually too small to cause internal side effects.

Women with diffuse androgenetic alopecia minoxidil can be used and what appears to be more effective for women compared with men. Manufacturers recommend that women use minoxidil only 2% concentration of minoxidil and not 5%. The manufacturers of minoxidil have not received FDA approval for the Advancement of minoxidil 5% minoxidil strongest for use by women. Many dermatologists prescribe minoxidil 5% for women with androgenetic alopecia when used under their supervision. Some small clinical trials were conducted on 5% minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia in women, thus showing the 5% solution is significantly more effective in retaining and hair growth of 2% solution.

In clinical trials, especially white women aged 18-45 years with mild to moderate hair loss, the following response to minoxidil was said 19% of women reported moderate hair growth after ‘use of minoxidil for 8 months (19% of patients had a moderate relapse, 40% had recurrence low). This compares with 7% of women reporting moderate hair regrowth after placebo, the liquid is the active ingredient, at 8 months (7% had a moderate relapse, 33% had recurrence low).

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The American Hair Loss Association recognizes the limitations of topical minoxidil therapy in the fight against female androgenetic alopecia (female pattern baldness), so we recommend you consult with a specialist in hair loss that can provide information on treatment options displayed on this site.
The androgen receptor inhibitors.

Aldactone / Spironolactone
Spironolactone or Aldactone most popular brand is a class of drugs called potassium-sparing diuretics (water pills). It ‘used to reduce the amount of fluid in the body without causing loss of potassium. It ‘also used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and edema (swelling) and to treat potassium deficiency and hyperaldosteronism (hormonal disorders).
Spironolactone is an antiandrogen that works in two ways. Mainly decreases androgen production in the adrenal glands and ovaries. Then, blocks the action of androgens, in part, by preventing dihydrotestosterone from binding to its androgenetic receptor.

Tagamet / Cimetidine
Cimetidine is sold under the brand name Tagamet belongs to a class of antihistamines used mainly to treat gastrointestinal ulcers. Histamine blocking action prevents the stomach produces too much acid, which allows the body to heal the ulcer. Cimetidine also has a powerful anti-androgen effect sufficient and has shown that the shape of blocks dihydrotestosterone receptor binding sites of the follicle.

Cimetidine has been used to treat women hirsuitism (excess facial hair) and has been studied in women, androgenic alopecia seems promising results. Since the high doses required to get the hair to bring the results, men should not be cimettidine treat hair loss because of the potentially feminizing effects, such as the negative sexual side effects.

Cyproterone acetate
Cyproterone acetate is used to reduce sexual desire in men who have sexual desire is too strong and treatment of sexual assault. It ‘also prescribed for severe hirsuitism woman of childbearing age and also androgenetic alopecia in women. Cyproterone acetate exerts its effects by inhibiting binding of DHT dihydrotestosterone to receptors.

Cyproterone acetate is not available in the United States and is considered one of the last resort for treating hair loss in women because of their potential toxicity and long-term side effects.
As with all the side effects of drugs other than those listed may be present, contact your doctor if you experience side effects are rare or particularly troublesome
Estrogen / progesterone

Also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and commonly prescribed at menopause, estrogen and progesterone pills and creams are probably the most common form of systemic treatments for androgenetic alopecia in women in menopause or estrogen and / or progesterone are lacking for other reasons.
Oral contraceptives
Since birth control pills decrease ovarian androgen production, which can be used to treat female pattern baldness. Note, however, that the same precautions must be observed if a woman takes birth control pills only prevent contraception or to treat female pattern baldness. For example, smokers of more than thirty-five years of taking “the pill” are at increased risk of blood clots and other serious illnesses. Discuss your medical history and lifestyle completely with your doctor. Birth control pills are in various hormonal formulations, and your doctor can determine the extent of their specific needs, changing pads if necessary until they are physically and emotionally comfortable with the text. Note: The weak androgen index pills birth control should be used to treat hair loss. High androgen index birth control pills actually contribute to hair loss in causing or allowing it once it has been caused by something else.
Nizoral / ketoconazole
Available as a topical treatment prescription ketoconazole are currently used as an antifungal agent used to treat fungal infections. It also has anti-androgen and can reduce the production of testosterone and other androgens by the adrenal glands and reproductive organs in male and female (women’s ovaries). Because this operation can be used to help treat hair loss. Nizoral shampoo contains 2 percent Ketoconazole and is prescribed not only to treat diseases of the scalp, but also in combination with other treatments for androgenic alopecia. Version 1 percent is now available for sale free, but it can not be as effective as the strength of 2 percent on prescription. There are no significant side effects.

Propecia / Proscar
Finasteride inhibits the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, thereby inhibiting the production of follicle injuries kill prostate DHT. It was first marketed for the treatment of prostate under the name Proscar in 5 mg tablets. In 1998, finasteride 1 mg a version with the name entered the market as the first pill approved by the FDA for hair loss in men. It works well for most men in both preventing hair loss and triggering regrowth, and it may work for some women, although women should not take it if they are pregnant should not become pregnant for the substance because of the risk of birth defects in male fetuses. Less than 2 percent of men experience sexual side effects transient, including erectile dysfunction and libido. In women, these effects do not occur.

Cyproterone acetate with ethinyl estradiol
Sold under the name of Diane 35 and Diane 50, the tablet of contraception is prescribed in Europe for female androgenetic alopecia. The drug works by blocking some of the actions of male hormones commonly found in women. Although it is possible for the medicine to stop hair loss and regrow hair trigger within a year, it must be used continuously to maintain regrowth and eliminate hair loss. Possible side effects include breast tenderness, headaches and decreased libido. He has a good side effect it helps prevent osteoporosis. The drug is a combination of cyproterone and estradiol, an estrogen. Both Diane 35 and Diane 50 contains 2 mg of cyproterone. Diane 35 contains 0.035 mg of estradiol. Diane 50 contains 0.050 mg of estradiol. The drug is also effective, if not more, spironolactone. Currently, this drug is not available in the United States.