The Link Between Baldness and Testosterone
Baldness in men has been discovered to be caused by testosterone. Though testosterone is not the one that causes the actual balding process, it is somehow linked to the process. So then, what is the link between baldness and testosterone?
Testosterone is linked to causing baldness for it is involved in the formation of a compound that is responsible for causing male pattern baldness. It was discovered that certain physiological reactions take place in the body which result in the conversion of testosterone into a compound known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This reaction is catalyzed by an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. DHT when formed freely circulates the blood and when it comes in contact with hair follicles it binds onto their walls. DHT causes these hair follicles to shrink owing to its effect on blood vessels which causes them to constrict. The response of individual hair follicles to DHT differs from person to person depending on their genetics. In some persons this DHT will cause hair follicles to shrink and in severe cases die off. This results in the formation of bald patches on the scalp.
The DHT produced from the conversion of testosterone accumulates in the vertex and frontal parts of the scalp. The exact reason why this compound accumulates in this section of the scalp and not in other parts is not exactly understood. Certain drugs such as finasteride can be used to lower the production of DHT in these areas of the scalp. Finasteride can be applied as a topical cream on the vertex or frontal areas of the scalp to promote hair growth and control baldness. Finasteride works against the formation of DHT by inhibiting the enzyme that is involved in its formation. When the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme is inhibited no DHT will be formed thus this will allow the body to naturally eliminate the DHT that had already been produced in the absence of the drug. When DHT is completely removed from the scalp, new hair growth in areas of high hair loss will become evident.
It should be noted however, that when the drug for inhibiting DHT formation has been removed DHT formation will resume. This means that the action of this baldness treatment drug is not permanent and if you are to stop using the drug soon DHT will accumulates and the balding process will start all over again. It is therefore recommended that patients that suffer from hair loss use the drug to regain their hair and continue to apply the drug in much smaller dosages in order to maintain hair growth.
Certain drugs, especially the ones that contain steroids, are not encouraged to be used by persons suffering from hair loss problems. This is so, for these steroid drugs elevate the body's androgens and in men's case it will be testosterone which will promote hair loss and balding. So, why continue to suffer from male pattern baldness when there are a good number of treatments that can solve this problem?
Testosterone is linked to causing baldness for it is involved in the formation of a compound that is responsible for causing male pattern baldness. It was discovered that certain physiological reactions take place in the body which result in the conversion of testosterone into a compound known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This reaction is catalyzed by an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. DHT when formed freely circulates the blood and when it comes in contact with hair follicles it binds onto their walls. DHT causes these hair follicles to shrink owing to its effect on blood vessels which causes them to constrict. The response of individual hair follicles to DHT differs from person to person depending on their genetics. In some persons this DHT will cause hair follicles to shrink and in severe cases die off. This results in the formation of bald patches on the scalp.
The DHT produced from the conversion of testosterone accumulates in the vertex and frontal parts of the scalp. The exact reason why this compound accumulates in this section of the scalp and not in other parts is not exactly understood. Certain drugs such as finasteride can be used to lower the production of DHT in these areas of the scalp. Finasteride can be applied as a topical cream on the vertex or frontal areas of the scalp to promote hair growth and control baldness. Finasteride works against the formation of DHT by inhibiting the enzyme that is involved in its formation. When the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme is inhibited no DHT will be formed thus this will allow the body to naturally eliminate the DHT that had already been produced in the absence of the drug. When DHT is completely removed from the scalp, new hair growth in areas of high hair loss will become evident.
It should be noted however, that when the drug for inhibiting DHT formation has been removed DHT formation will resume. This means that the action of this baldness treatment drug is not permanent and if you are to stop using the drug soon DHT will accumulates and the balding process will start all over again. It is therefore recommended that patients that suffer from hair loss use the drug to regain their hair and continue to apply the drug in much smaller dosages in order to maintain hair growth.
Certain drugs, especially the ones that contain steroids, are not encouraged to be used by persons suffering from hair loss problems. This is so, for these steroid drugs elevate the body's androgens and in men's case it will be testosterone which will promote hair loss and balding. So, why continue to suffer from male pattern baldness when there are a good number of treatments that can solve this problem?
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