Hair Loss - A Guide

What is male pattern baldness?

Male pattern baldness, also known as "androgenetic alopecia" describes the condition of thinning hair on the scalp suffered by many men. Male pattern baldness is the most common form of baldness in men, and is an inherited trait. Male pattern baldness typically results in receding hair line together with hair loss at the crown.

Is there anything I can take to treat male hair loss?

Treatments fall into two categories - herbal remedies such as Procerin and treatments with drugs.

Two drugs have been clinically tested and proven to arrest hair loss in some men and in certain cases, promote regrowth. These are:

1. Minoxidil - also known as Rogaine or Regaine.
   Minoxidil was originally a drug for the treatment of high blood pressure, but it was discovered that when applied directly to the skin that it could stimulate hair growth in men (and women). It is available without prescription in the UK. It works best in men who are young with hair loss that started recently.
2. Propecia - Propecia, generic name Finasteride, is a prescription drug which is used to treat male pattern baldness only. It works by lowering the levels of DHT hormones (dihydrotestosterone) - DHT is responsible for causing male pattern baldness. This drug has been approved by the FDA as a treatment for hair loss in men.

There are other treatments for male hair loss that come under the category of nutritional supplements, as opposed to drugs. The best known of these is Procerin, a herbal treatment for male pattern baldness. It is a herbal remedy and available without prescription.

In men, an enzyme called "5-alpha reductase" converts the male hormone testosterone into DHT. Procerin is said to work as it contains herbs which bind to this enzyme to stop DHT being produced. The main ingredient in Procerin is a herb called "Saw Palmetto" which is also thought to be beneficial to the prostate gland. However, it can make Prostate cancer harder to diagnose throught the PSA test, so you should make sure if you are having this test done that your doctor is aware of your Procerin intake.

Female Alopecia

Baldness in women often occurs during the menopause when the hair becomes thinner over the entire scalp, although unfortunately the hair on the face can become thicker. How badly women suffer from alopecia is dependent upon genetic factors, age and androgen levels - androgens are male sex hormones. The main treatment for alopecia is Minoxidil, which will promote hair growth in about 25% of women. Other none drug treatments can involve hair weaves and extensions, which can give excellent cosmetic results.

Alopecia in women can also occur at other times - causes can include tieing hair back too tightly, compulsive hair pulling ("Trichotillomannia" - this is a clinically recognised disorder and can be treated with behavioural therapy) or when afflicted by a disorder of the immune system known as "alopecia areata" which leaves temporary bald patches.