Male Hair Loss : Male Pattern
Baldness (MPB)
Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) or androgenetic alopecia is the cause
of over 95% of hair loss, and is the cause hair loss in over 50%
of men, as well as in a significant proportion of women. It is caused
by a rise in DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a direct component of testosterone,
which is produced in the testes in men, and in the adrenal glands
in both sexes.
Although both men and women can suffer significant hair loss, over
50% of men will suffer with Male Pattern Baldness (MPB), also known
as androgenetic alopecia, at some point in their lives. The reason
behind this hair loss is a genetically inherited sensitivity to
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The enzyme 5-alpha-reductase converts
the hormone testosterone to DHT, the substance identified as the
end-cause for hair loss.
Doctors and scientists are studying DHT production in the body
to understand it more thoroughly. The scientific developments of
the past two decades have brought hope and promise to many who suffer
with this type of hair loss. Treatments like Rogaine®, Rogaine®
for Women, Propecia, and improved surgical treatments have brought
relief to many who would have previously had to settle for gradual
hair loss, wigs, or hairpieces.
The discovery of the role of DHT in preventing hair loss has opened
the doors to possible herbal solutions to hair loss prevention,
such as saw palmetto, nettles, rosemary and horsetail.
Even more promising is the fact that the hair loss commonly known
as androgenetic alopecia is found to occur mainly in Western civilization
or those who have adopted the ways of Western civilization, meaning
that there may be dietary practices that contribute to hair loss
and therefore giving hope to the possibility that diet could control
not only temporary hair loss, but androgenetic alopecia as well.
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