Hair loss can occur to varying extent in both men and women but is more common in men and typically referred to as male pattern baldness because of the most usual pattern that develops as hair is gradually lost. It was discovered a while ago that the tendency for male pattern baldness is largely genetic but the actual mechanism involves increased susceprtibilty of hair follicles to the adverse action of dihydrotestosterone,(DHT),a male sex hormone. Males produce testosterone and some of this is converted in certain tissues such as the skin, the scalp, and the prostate gland, into dihydrotestosterone,(DHT) by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase.
DHT appears to interfere with the hair follicles' ability to extract nourishment from the bloodstream with the result that hairs take longer to produce by the follicles and become thinner and more brittle. Eventually the starved follicles fail to produce hairs at all, and as old ones are lost they are not replaced, leading gradually to the appearance of areas of baldness. In time these areas tend to increase in size and coalesce, sometimes leaving the characteristic horseshoe shaped ring of hair on an otherwise bald head.
Fortunately for many, it is now possible to slow or even prevent hairloss with Propecia since the effect of Propecia,(Finasteride),is to block the action of 5-alpha reductase and thus reduce the amount of DHT in the scalp area. This in turn allows hair follicles to recover if they have not completely given up the ghost, and to once again start to grow hair.
Propecia is a recognised prescription medicine available in tablets of 1 mg, usually taken once a day. Studies have shown its effectiveness in many men to stop further hair loss and even encourage new hair to grow. It usually takes several months though for benefit to be noticeable as it takes time for hair follicles to recover. Continuous use is necessary to maintain benefit, for if the treatment is stopped then the condition tends to regress. Sometimes it seems that the baldness gets worse before it gets better, but this is not something to worry about. It is simply due to hair shedding as the growth cycle of hair follicles has been interrupted. The shedding phase is followed by a phase of new hair growth.
Propecia is FDA aproved, and it is recommended that you use an anti-inflammatory hair shampoo along with it (such as Nizoral) in order to get the best result. The shampoo reduces itching and flaking in the scalp and improves the chances for hair regrowth. Propecia is claimed to achieve benefit in about two thirds of cases of male pattern baldness, so if you are affected you should certainly see your doctor now.