It is natural to lose several strands of hair in a single day. In the usual hair cycle, 80%-90% of hair strands are in the anagen or growing phase. The rest of the 10%-20% of hair strands are in the sleeping phase.
These hair strands get ready to be shed by getting thin in the catagen phase and eventually falling off during the telogen phase. This is not the cause of hair loss that we should be worried about because hair normally grows back after a natural cycle.
Male Hair Loss
The cause of men's hair loss may be due to more than one factor. The most common cause of hair loss however involves genetics and hormone levels. It is known that at least 95% of hair loss in men is linked to no other cause of hair loss than androgenetic alopecia, more commonly known as male pattern baldness. This inherited condition results in a growing bald area on top of the head and a receding hairline.
Androgenetic alopecia is the result of having too much of a testosterone byproduct called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. DHT may actually be beneficial in younger, growing males but too much of it in adults can be a cause of hair loss. DHT can be a cause of hair loss by attaching to hair follicles and cutting off the blood supply. Hair follicles therefore begin to shrink, making the growth of new hair strands impossible.
Female Pattern Baldness
Female pattern baldness is actually so common that 1 in 4 women have the condition. The reason why it may not be obvious in women is that female pattern baldness does not result in whole patches of hair falling off. Instead, female baldness is characterized by thinning areas near the front of the scalp or hairline or generally thinning hair on the entire scalp. In most cases, strands of hair still remain on females with female pattern baldness.
There seems to be no set age for female baldness to begin but just like in males, the main cause of hair loss in women stems from genetic and hormonal factors. It seems that estrogen imbalances in females may be the main cause of hair loss.
Women who have recently given birth are prone to thinning hair because of erratic estrogen levels. They can only grow back the lost hair once their estrogen level has stabilized again. Women who are undergoing menopause however and women under hormone therapy may experience more enduring cases of hair loss. Hormone therapy with progesterone for example may be a cause of hair loss in women since the hormone blocks the development of follicles.
Male pattern hair loss i.e. a receding hair line or slow balding at the crown, is the most common problems of hair loss. It is typically a continuation process and if neglected, the hair loss is likely to continue. Well it’s true that hair loss may be a family problem. But researchers believe that it is due to a chemical called dihydrotestosterone or just DHT in short, is the main cause of male pattern hair loss.
Due to the increase in DHT, the hair follicles on the head shrink and causes hair fall and if somehow this DHT is decreased, there can be complete halt for further hair loss. In this circumstance, Propecia has shown some outstanding promise. FDA trials proved that 2 out of 3 men tested with Propecia regrew hair and the third one hasn’t experienced any further hair loss.
Propecia is a suitable remedy for treating mild and moderate hair loss. It not only slows down hair loss but improves hair growth as well. Most important of all, it works only on scalp and doesn’t affect the hairs on the other parts of the body.
Though the results may vary for each individual, but normally, one may begin to see improvement within 3 months of its usage. Before taking the medicine inform you doctor if you are suffering from liver disease. For, in that case you may not be allowed to take Propecia, or you may be prescribed a lower dose. However, mild side affects like decreased libido, stomach upset, swelling of your lips and tongue may affect your health in the beginning of the course, but tends to cease as the body gets used to it.
Propecia is for the treatment of male pattern hair loss in men only and should not be used by women or children.
Both Irina Thorton & Alan Anderson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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Alan Anderson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Hair Care, Hair Loss and Hair Care. Alan Anderson writes on health, beauty and hairstyles. He has been working in the same field and writes informative articles for Hair Care subject. To learn more about Propecia, Hair Care tips, Hair Care Products, Hair Loss treatment visit. Alan Anderson's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.