These receptors specifically bind the two types of androgens - testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It allows the androgens to stimulate and regulate the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics in vertebrates.

In some cell types testosterone interacts directly with androgen receptors. In others, testosterone is converted by 5-alpha-reductase to DHT. The latter is an even more potent agonist for androgen receptor activation.

Examples for the first case are derivatives of the Wolffian duct.

Derivatives of the urogenital sinus, the urogenital tubercle, and hair follicles exemplify the second case.

Cause of androgenetic alopecia ? Androgen receptors are at the center of androgenetic functions. And androgenetic functions are the cause of androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness.

The role of anti androgens

Anti androgens (a.k.a. androgen antagonist) are known for the solid guard they offer against the effects of androgens. Thus they play a key role in the androgenetic alopecia cure.

But what are anti androgens, in the first place?

The term to any of a group of hormone receptor antagonist compounds able to prevent or hinder the biologic effects of androgens (male sex hormones) on Normally Responsive Body Tissues.

How do they work?

The typical working style of the anti androgens is blocking the appropriate androgen receptors. They compete with one another for binding sites on the cell's surface. Ultimately they obstruct the androgen's pathway.

Uses of anti androgens

Anti androgens have a number of curative uses. They are used in various ways for androgen alopecia treatment. Apart from that, they have other curative applications as well.

Some of the other curative uses of anti androgens are as follows ?

a.) Curing certain male sexual disorders b.) Use as anti neoplastic agents (anti tumor drugs) c.) Use as a palliative and for adjuvant and neoadjuvant hormonal therapy in prostate cancer d.) Treating hirsutism e.) Treatment of acne vulgaris- an inflammatory disease of the skin.

Administration of anti androgens among males

Administration of anti androgens in males is likely to slow down or stop the development of male secondary sex characteristics. In fact, it can even reverse them. It can also decrease accessory male sex organs activity and function.

This explains why anti-adnrogens are usually used in men only as a last resort.

Anti Androgen Withdrawal Response (AAWR)

It stands for the medical course that is taken when cancer cells adapt to feed on the anti androgens rather than on the androgen. This situation warrants a break for the anti androgen for some time.

This will lead to the starving of the cells thriving on anti androgens. It is a common syndrome among prostate cancer patients undergoing anti androgen therapy.

Anti androgen drugs

Some of the anti androgen drugs available in the market include the following ?

Spironolactone (examples include Aldactone, Spiritone) ? The primary use of this corticosteroid (a class of steroid hormone) is to treat low-renin hypertension, hypokalemia and Conn's syndrome.

Hypokalemia refers to the inability to retain potassium sufficient for health. Conn's syndrome stands for a symptom resulting into nonessential hypertension.

Cyproterone acetate (examples include Androcur, Climen, Diane 35, Ginette 35) ? This potent anti androgen is used in problems related to female menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis of humans and other species.

Flutamide (Eulexin), Nilutamide (Anandron, Nilandron) and Bicalutamide (Casodex) ? These non-steroidal pure anti androgens have Flutamide as the oldest of the lot. On the other hand Biculatamide is the newest. While Flutamide has many unwanted side effects, Biculatamide has few.

Ketoconazole (Nizoral) ? It is a relatively weak anti androgen. It works against a variety of fungal infections. Its oral use can have side effects like serious liver damage.

Finasteride (examples include Proscar, Propecia) and Dutasteride (Avodart) - They prevent Testosterone from converting into DHT.