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Androgenetic alopecia - causes and how to treat?

Androgenic alopecia (alopecia) is a genetic disorder that causes baldness. This condition is the cause of hair loss in most adults who complain of excessive hair loss. There are several treatments for androgenetic alopecia, including pharmacological therapy and hair transplantation.

By ROBINSON JAMES HERBERTPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
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Androgenetic alopecia - causes and how to treat?
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Androgenic alopecia (alopecia) is a genetic disorder that causes baldness. This condition is the cause of hair loss in most adults who complain of excessive hair loss. There are several treatments for androgenetic alopecia, including pharmacological therapy and hair transplantation.

Androgenic alopecia - causes

Androgenic alopecia is one of the most common causes of hair loss in adults. Hair loss is associated with too high a concentration of androgens in the blood, that is, male sex hormones. Androgens, and especially the strongest of them, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), affect hair follicles. In some people, this hormone disrupts the hair growth cycle. Sometimes new hair grows more slowly or gets thinner and thinner. There are two types of androgenic alopecia - hair loss in men and women.

In men, the main causes of androgenic alopecia are genetic predisposition (excessive sensitivity of hair follicles to androgens), as well as causes caused by external factors, which include, among others, smoking, unhealthy lifestyles, stress, increased intake of dietary supplements, excessive muscle mass, which negatively affects hormonal balance.

Although androgens are male hormones, they are also found in women, but in healthy women they are balanced by female hormones, i.e. estrogens and progestogens. Androgen abnormalities in women can be caused by, inter alia, polycystic ovary syndrome, ovarian tumors, adrenal tumors and hyperadrenocorticism.

In addition, an increase in androgen levels can occur during pregnancy or menopause, or as a result of the use of certain medications. Sometimes the excess of androgens in a woman's body is caused by contraceptives, which contain ingredients with androgenic activity.

Another cause of androgenic alopecia in women is the hereditary hypersensitivity of hair follicles to androgens. If the amount of certain hormones is disturbed and there are too many androgens in the woman's body, this can manifest itself not only in hair loss, but also in the appearance of acne or menstrual irregularities.

Androgenic alopecia - symptoms

Androgenic alopecia in men

In men, androgenetic alopecia can begin to appear around the age of 20, but more commonly, symptoms increase with age. In the first stage, hair falls out in the forehead and temple area, so that the hairline gradually recedes. Eventually, the hair in the central part of the head becomes thinner and weaker and eventually disappears. It is important to note that androgenetic alopecia usually does not spread to the hair in the back of the head.

In women, androgenetic alopecia usually begins before the age of 30. Initially, hair loss mainly affects the middle part of the head, where hair on the forehead line does not fall out. The next stage is the progressively progressive thinning of the hair, and over time, the hair on the entire head becomes much thinner and thinner. In advanced cases of the disease, the head is completely exposed.

Androgenetic alopecia - treatment

For men and women with androgenic alopecia, treatment is usually always effective, it is necessary to find out the cause of the disease and try to eliminate it.

In women, various treatments for androgenetic alopecia are available. One method is to apply hair growth stimulants, such as minoxidil , to the scalp . Sometimes patients are advised to use oral preparations containing different types of estrogen derivatives or those that act antiandrogenic. It is also possible to carry out interventional treatment, that is, hair transplantation.

In the case of men, effective methods of dealing with the disease have also been developed. The first method consists in systemic treatment, during which the patient is injected with drugs that block the formation of the hormone dihydrotestosterone, which damages the hair follicles. This is a long-term treatment, and the first effects can be expected about six months after starting therapy. It is important to note that this type of medication prevents hair loss, but does not induce hair growth.

Another method, as in the case of women, is the use of minoxidil, which stimulates hair growth, as well as surgical treatment, hair transplant.

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About the Creator

ROBINSON JAMES HERBERT

I'm a worshiper of creativity and knowledge. I'm a researcher of many sectors. I like to write my own view on various subjects, and also like to write about techniques and tips. Follow me to get amazing information and tips.

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