Posts Tagged ‘5 Alpha Reductase’
Male Hair Loss
The cause of hair loss is a controversial issue and disagreement is widespread even with the so called experts. There are many opinions on the subject and even more recommendations on how to stop hair loss or at least slow it down. There are some products which are even supposed to help regrow hair, however this is also debatable and can vary between person to person.
Adrogenetic Alopecia or so called male pattern baldness can be a man’s worse nightmare, everyone loses hair but lets face it men do it faster and more efficiently than women. Male pattern baldness is a natural process and unfortunately is a part of getting older; if you are between the ages of 18 – 45 and you start to lose hair from your scalp then the probability that you are experiencing male-pattern baldness is very high.
To the despair of most men we are genetically predisposed to male pattern baldness and this is by far the biggest cause of hair lose in men. It also affects different groups of people to different extents. Supposedly more than 50% of white men will experience some level of male pattern baldness by the age of 50, while some other races in Asia such as the Japanese are not affected as much. Scientific research has shown that the gene for hair loss comes from either or both sides of the family, and contrary to popular belief, is not linked only to your mother’s side. If your immediate family have experienced hair loss it is more than probable that you will also suffer this condition in your lifetime.
There is normally a consistent pattern in male hair loss with generally a gradual loss of hair at the temples / crown of the head and then eventually over time this leads to complete loss of hair on top of the head or in some cases all over.
DHT
Scientists believe that the male hormone testosterone or more importantly dihydrotesterone is the cause behind hair loss. DHT is produced when the enzyme 5 alpha reductase combines with testosterone. This overabundance of DHT leads to follicles that produce weaker, shorter and thinner hair and eventually over time this will cause it to stop producing hair. This DHT imbalance leads to baldness (androgenetic alopecia).
Since all of us all have DHT that is made by our bodies and only some people suffer from hair loss and others don’t there must be something else at work here. This other factor is having hair follicles that have a bigger percentage of Androgen receptors for the DHT to attach to and this is the component that is passed on through the genes of your parents. Male hormones start activating when a man is sexually mature so it is rare that a male will experience hair loss before puberty.
Stress
In my own personal view and many others, stress can be a contributing factor behind hair loss, this can also be said for other many other illness we face in our lifetimes. Stress appears to be a product of modern day life, however it did exist in the past, but it would of never of had the same kind of coverage it does today due to the media age we now live in. Today’s society especially in the west is so fast it is sometime hard to keep up and maybe thats why Caucasians suffer from hair loss more than other races. Our lifestyles seem to run at a furious and hectic pace and this even comes down to the way we eat food as more and more of us consume rubbish fast food at an alarming rate. Have any of you considered taking your full lunch time at work? I can tell you now that myself and the people I work with don’t take there full lunch breaks and most of the time you have consumed your food within 20 minutes and you are straight back to your desk staring at your PC monitor!
Of course this is just a small factor of possible stress but work stress is definitely a big player in the overall stress you face in your life, however if this leads to your hair falling out no one can be certain, but it certainly can’t help.
Among other hair loss causes there are also other factors in hair loss, these are listed below:
Injury or serious trauma
Poor diet
Environmental
Toxic substances
Medicines
Radiation (chemotherapy)
Hormonal imbalance
Possible cures
I don’t believe there is a complete cure for hair loss but there are most certainly some products out there which help slow down or prevent further hair loss, some of these products even promote that they can regrow some of your hair. These products either come in the form of a pill or just a liquid such as a shampoo and some of them are claiming big successes.
First off I recommend you get diagnosed first and to make sure your hair loss is not due to any other factor other than androgenetic alopecia. If your hair loss is a natural process than I would start looking into the many products available on the net today and do some serious research about the issue.
Of course there are easier options such as wigs or if your have the money hair replacement surgery, however I believe most people don’t want to or ever consider wearing a wig as its just to embarrassing or too much hassle or just doesn’t work. Hair replacement treatment is also a no no for most people as it’s either too expensive or they are just scared of the whole idea of taking hair from one part of your head and attaching it to another part.
So make sure, before you decide on what you want to do about your hair loss, do the research first and then decide on how you wish to combat it.
Do you know why it is more than likely that you will suffer from some kind of Hair loss or from baldness in your life time. What are the causes of this hair loss and do we have the capability to control or stop hair loss.
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Propecia finasteride is one of the most prescribed treatments for male pattern baldness which is one of the most common causes of male hair loss. Developed by Merck pharmaceuticals, Propecia was approved by the US FDA in 1997 as a prescription only treatment for male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia).
About Propecia finasteride and how does it work?
Propecia finasteride is found to be effective in 90% of men who have tried the treatment. The drug not only helps to prevent further hair loss but also stimulates the growth of new hair. To achieve the most effective results, Propecia treatment should be started in the early stages of male pattern hair loss.
The active ingredient in Propecia is called finasteride. The compound belongs to a class of medicines called type II 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Propecia finasteride inhibits the natural conversion process of male sex hormone testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Although DHT is an important sex hormone, in some men the level of DHT becomes quite high. When in excess, DHT shrinks the hair follicles in the scalp, eventually leading to the hair falling out. Propecia helps to lower the level of DHT in the body and thereby helps to prevent further hair loss.
Positive effects of Propecia
Propecia finasteride helps to normalise the level of DHT and help it stay low enough so the adverse effects of DHT on the hair follicle stop. By working this way, Propecia helps to normalise the hair growth cycle and in turn reverse the hair loss process. The results of the Propecia treatment are noticeable within 3 months of starting the treatment. In 5 years time, men may notice a head full of hair depending on what stage they started the treatment and how well their body adapts to the treatment. The effects of Propecia have been studied in a 5-year clinical study in which 90% of the patients reported a visible improvement.
Who can take it?
• Propecia is meant to be used in men suffering from male pattern baldness after consulting a doctor
• Only men can take Propecia, it is not recommended for women and children
• Men who have a known allergy to finasteride or any of the other active ingredients contained in the drug should not take Propecia
Side effects of Propecia
Like any other prescription drugs, Propecia too comes with certain side effects. However, Propecia’s side effects are very rare and do not affect most men. A small percentage of men report sexual side effects such as low libido, difficulty in achieving an erection or a decrease in semen volume. These side effects go away when men stop taking Propecia. In rare cases men have reported serious side effects including changes in their breasts such as lumps, pains or nipple discharge as well as testicular pain. If you experience any bothersome Propecia side effects, you should report to your doctor immediately.
Choosing Propecia over other hair loss treatments and how can you buy it?
Propecia is proven more effective, more convenient and more affordable than any other hair loss treatments currently available on the market including hair transplants, wigs, topical application treatments such as minoxidil or any other alternate treatments.
Though Propecia is available on consultation basis only, you can now buy it from the convenience of your home from online Propecia clinics. These websites allow you to consult a doctor online, free of cost and get your medicine delivered to your doorstep.
Propecia is one of the most prescribed treatments for male pattern baldness today. The medicine not only helps to prevent further hair loss but also stimulates the growth of new hair. Learn how Propecia works, its benefits, side effects and how can you buy it online below.
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Propecia finasteride is an innovative and so far the most effective treatment for male pattern baldness. Approved by the FDA as a prescription only treatment for male pattern hair loss in 1997, the drug is hailed as a success by men who were frustrated trying out all sorts of shampoos, oils and strange concoctions. Available in a pill form, Propecia offers the most convenient and effective treatment option for male pattern hair loss.
About Propecia and how does it work
Propecia is a highly recommended treatment chosen by men suffering from male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) – one of the most common causes of hair loss in men. When taken regularly, Propecia helps stop further hair loss as well as stimulating the growth of new hair.
Finasteride – the active ingredient in Propecia belongs to a class of medicine known as type II 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. The medicine inhibits the natural process of conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) due to the action of the enzyme type II 5-alpha reductase. While some amount of DHT is necessary, in some men the level of DHT becomes too high. The excess of DHT causes the hair follicle to shrink and cause hair loss. Propecia finasteride lowers the level of DHT in your body and thereby prevents further hair loss.
Dosages of Propecia
The Propecia treatment for male pattern baldness is only available in a dosage strength of 1mg. This dose is to be taken orally once a day, with or without food preferably at the same time every day.
Who cannot take Propecia?
• Only men who are suffering from male pattern baldness should take Propecia after consulting a doctor
• Women and children should not take Propecia
• Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should not even handle broken or crushed Propecia tablets as it could affect male foetuses
• Men allergic to finasteride or any of the inactive ingredients contained in the drug should not take Propecia
Side effects of Propecia
Just like most other prescription drugs, Propecia finasteride does have some associated side effects. However, only a small percentage of men report sexual side effects such as low libido, difficulty in achieving an erection or decreased semen volume. These side effects go away when the treatment is stopped. In rare cases, men have reported serious Propecia side effects including changes in breasts such as lumps, pains or nipple discharge as well as testicular pain. In the case you experience any of these rare Propecia side effects, or if any other side effects become bothersome consult your doctor immediately.
Why should you choose Propecia to treat baldness?
Propecia is found to be more effective than any other treatment method currently available on the market such as herbal shampoos, oils, hair transplants, wigs and even the FDA approved topical treatment lotion minoxidil. In clinical studies, 9 out of 10 men have reported significant improvement in hair loss and growth of new hair. Propecia is extremely convenient to take as it is available in pill form, which requires minimal fuss compared to other hair loss treatments. Propecia is also more affordable than hair transplants which may be effective but also quite expensive.
How can you buy Propecia online?
There are a large number of online Propecia clinics, which offer you the facility to consult a specialist doctor online, free of cost. You just need to fill in a consultation form, detailing any health conditions. If the doctor believes Propecia treatment is suitable for you, you will be sent a prescription by email. Following this, your Propecia pills will reach your address in safe and discreet packaging.
Propecia finasteride is so far the most effective treatment for male pattern baldness. Learn how Propecia works, how it should be taken, its benefits and side effects. Also find out how to buy Propecia online.
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Many people experiencing premature hair loss simply resign themselves to a process that is as inevitable as growing old. This is a positive and healthy reaction to what is a natural process for many. But for others the onset of premature balding or excessive hair loss represents a traumatic development that causes untold worry and suffering. This too is a legitimate reaction regardless of whether the hair loss is caused by hereditary factors or some other more complex cause.
Should these sufferers just grin and bear it? No, they should not because there are a number of potentially effective treatments they could utilize, depending on the nature of their hair loss. In this article I will outline some of the most popular hair loss treatments currently available in order to reinforce the fact that hair loss can be treated. The next article in the series will look closely at the treatment regimes best suited to specific ailments such as alopecia areata and telogen effluvium.
At present only two medications have been approved as hair loss treatments by the FDA. These are minoxidil, better known as Rogaine, and finasteride, better known as Propecia. Several other drugs have proven to be effective in combating hair loss, dutasteride for example, but have not yet been approved for this particular use.
Finasteride was originally developed to treat enlarged prostate conditions but a low dose version was subsequently approved for the treatment of hair loss in men. It tackles the causes of male pattern baldness by preventing the conversion of 5-alpha-reductase into DHT. Given that DHT is the main male hormone linked to hair loss, reducing its production by two thirds has a major impact on controlling this type of baldness.
Research has shown that 83% of men studied were able to maintain their hair count and 64% experienced regrowth by the end of a two year period. It should be noted that finasteride is approved for use by men only as the drug can have serious effects on unborn male fetuses. Women should therefore only consider using this drug under the strict supervision of a physician.
Dutasteride (Avodart) is a new medication for use in treating prostate conditions and, although not yet approved for the treatment of hair loss, it does offer exciting possibilities. It works in a similar way to finasteride but reputedly reduces overall DHT production by over 93%. As is the case with finasteride, women should consult their physician before using dutasteride.
Minoxidil (Rogaine) is the other hair loss treatment approved by the FDA and it is the only anti-baldness drug approved for women. Applied topically, its main benefit is its ability to stimulate regrowth thus reversing the effects of pattern baldness. Many users combine the application of minoxidil with other hair loss treatments like Propecia to achieve maximal results, but others experience satisfactory outcomes using minoxidil on its own.
Several studies have shown that certain non-drug products promote hair regrowth but none have yet been approved by the FDA. This is partly due to the prohibitive costs involved in conducting trials to prove that the products are effective for the purpose of marketing them as hair loss treatments. Many individuals and dermatologists nonetheless recommend use of certain non-drug treatments as an alternative or complement to drug therapy.
In many instances the treatments are based on natural ingredients that stimulate similar responses to those of the prescribed drugs but without the side effects. The information provided here presents a sample of products that have been subjected to testing or at least have had their effectiveness supported by independent feedback.
One such product is Arcon Tisane which has become Europe’s top selling natural supplement for hair loss. It comes as a capsule and sub-lingual spray containing saw palmetto and fenugreek stimulating a response similar to that of finasteride by inhibiting the production of DHT. Arcon Tisane has been clinically tested and has received widespread media coverage of its success in combating hair loss.
Calosol is a relatively new product aimed at helping alopecia areata sufferers. It consists of a shampoo and an accelerator applied daily in order to stimulate hair roots, reduce hair loss and promote healthy hair. Early indications suggest that Calosol can contribute significantly to easing this distressing and difficult to treat condition.
Fabao 101 is a treatment that comes in varying formats, each designed to tackle a particular form of hair loss. The common factor to each product is their derivation from natural plant sources. It was developed by a dermatologist and has received many international awards.
Folligen copper peptide products are designed to help create an environment that improves scalp health, reduces hair loss and stimulates hair regrowth. It can be used by both men and women. Studies at over 30 leading universities and medical research institutes have established the effectiveness of the technology utilized in Folligen products.
Tricomin is another treatment that targets the delivery of copper to the base of the hair follicle and it too has been clinically proven as an effective treatment for stopping hair loss and stimulating regrowth. It can be used safely with other hair loss treatments and can be especially useful in complementing the effects of finasteride and minoxidil.
Revivogen is an all-natural hair loss treatment that reduces DHT production, blocks the androgen receptors and stimulates hair growth. It is used topically and has no known side effects.
Shen Min is another natural hair loss treatment designed to restore and regrow all types and stages of hair loss. It is safe for both men and women. Shen Min contains a blend of Chinese herbs and comes in various forms to suit most people.
ThymuSkin was developed by German scientists to fight hair loss in patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Due to the high success rates the product was developed for use by the general public to combat all types of hair loss. Clinical studies conducted in Europe show that ThymuSkin hair loss treatments could help to stop baldness and regrow hair for 67% of men and 95% of women.
Hopefully this article has demonstrated that many treatment options are available to hair loss sufferers. The next article in this series will develop the theme further by examining the treatment regimes that have proven effective in tackling specific forms of hair loss such as androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata and telogen effluvium.
In the meantime you can find out more about any of the treatments discussed in this article by visiting the site listed below. Did you find this article useful? For more useful tips and hints, points to ponder and keep in mind, techniques, and insights pertaining to hair, hair growth and hair loss , do please browse for more information at our websites. www.infozabout.com“>www.infozabout.com www.hairloss.infozabout.com“>www.hairloss.infozabout.com
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With hair loss becoming a common cause of concern amongst millions of people across the world, every year a large number of medications, herbs, spices, nutritional supplements, oils, shampoos etc comes up in the market each claiming itself to be the panacea for hair loss
But before you decide for any expensive treatment plan or hair loss treatment medication, it is advisable to understand what hair loss is and the types and benefits of medication available for hair loss treatment to ensure effective and desirable results.
Hair loss in woman can generally be seen evenly across the scalp, without definite bald patches. Diffuse hair loss is a gradual thinning of the hair as opposed to a straightforward bald patch and is the most common type of hair loss in women. The replacement of old hairs by new hairs is slowed down so that the hair becomes sparse and the scalp can be seen clearly through the hair.
Androgenetic alopecia (female pattern baldness) in women is often linked to hormonal changes with the hair loss following events such as the menopause, childbirth or as a result of stopping or starting oral contraceptive pills. Pregnancy will also affect hair production. Hormone levels increase as the pregnancy begins and slows down the hair growth cycle. Hairs that should stop growing continue to grow beyond their usual life cycle. Often this means that the hair appears to grow thicker as more hairs are present than normal.
The hair loss is generally more uniform over the scalp than in the male counterpart, but also results from a complex chemical reaction when the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase converts the testosterone in the system into DHT or dihydro-testosterone
The hair follicles are genetically predisposed to be over sensitive to the DHT and become smaller and smaller with time, leading to the eventual hair loss.
The scalp hairs are divided into two phases, growth phase and resting phase. Almost 90% of our hairs are in growth phase, which lasts for approximately four to five years. Each hair grows approximately 1 centimeter per month during this phase
Telogen effluvium occurs when the growing phase of the hair is interrupted prematurely causing the hair follicles to enter the telogen (resting) phase of the hair cycle earlier than normal. Two to four months later, following the normal cyclic pattern, diffuse shedding of the hair begins. When this happens there are not enough hairs left in the anagen phase, or growing phase, and the result is diffuse thinning of the hair.
Chemical trauma can be caused to the hair by bleaching, relaxing, perming or even dying the hair. The chemicals involved in these processes can damage the hair’s protein structure, making the hair dehydrated and brittle and often causing hair loss.
If you are going bald you should seriously consider hair loss medication treatments to halt or even reverse your hair loss. While there is no “Hair Loss Cure”, hair loss drugs can often stop or even reverse alopecia aerate in most people. Medication for treating hair loss slows thinning of the hair and increases coverage of the scalp by growing new hair and enlarging existing hairs.
Today there are two FDA approved medications for hair growth – minoxidil which is sold over the counter as Rogaine, for both men and women, and Finasteride, a prescription pill sold as Propecia, for men only. Two other drugs have been recently approved for hair growth and include a high-estrogen oral contraceptive and Aldactone (spironolactone). However, these two medications are only for women due to their feminizing side effects.
Propecia (Finasteride) is proven to be the most effective hair loss treatment medicine to treat male pattern baldness. Propecia works by blocking the enzyme, Type II 5 alpha-reductase from converting testosterone to its active form DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in the body. DHT plays a major role in inherited male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia). In this process, it reduces the level of the hormone in the scalp which shortens the hair growth cycle and allows hairs to revert to a normal growth cycle.
Also remember that Hair Loss Treatment Medicine is a prescription with certain side effects and should be taken after consultation with the doctor
If you are going bald you should seriously consider hair loss medication treatments to halt or even reverse your hair loss. While there is no “Hair Loss Cure”, hair loss drugs can often stop or even reverse alopecia aerate in most people. Medication for treating hair loss slows thinning of the hair and increases coverage of the scalp by growing new hair and enlarging existing hairs.
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