Researching Male Pattern Baldness
by Marlene Baliss
Are you suffering from thinning hair, and do you worry where it might lead? Well, millions of other men also have hair loss problems, and there are many reasons for its occurrence. Male pattern baldness is one of the most well-known types of hair loss.
Learning about male pattern baldness and its implications will help you to get a handle on your own situation. Finding possible remedies that can help stem the loss of hair, or renew hair follicles will depend on you doing some research. Most men find that their hair thins with age, and depending on several factors, this process could lead to baldness in the center or the entire scalp. It is not a pleasant problem to have, but it is not something you face alone, either.
If you are in the initial stages of male pattern baldness, you can relate it to a combination of things. Looking at the causes may help you begin to find a solution, though not every case will have a corresponding solution.
Genetics is the most common cause of male pattern baldness. Male or female genes are passed down to you from your ancestors, and that leads to this situation. A common culprit is dihyrdo-testosterone (DHT), which can interact negatively with your hormones. As you age, these compounds react more with each other, and lead to increased thinning of the hair, followed by baldness.
Scientists know that testosterone changes as men age, and although research into the cause and effect relationship between baldness and hormones is ongoing, there has been some progress in recent years. Enzymes that our bodies normally produce help our hair grow. As we age and our testosterone composition changes, it may interact negatively with those enzymes, and the result can be hair thinning or reduced growth.
However, if you find your hair loss is more rapid, and perhaps chunks of hair are falling out, then you should consult your physician. You may be suffering from one of the many diseases that cause hair loss, rather than male pattern baldness, so your situation may be more serious. In other words, rapid hair loss is not normally an indication of male baldness, so talk to your doctor as soon as you can.
However, if your situation is more indicative of normal male pattern baldness, then there are fewer potential causes -- and solutions. Do some research into potential products and other solutions that are available. Some of them do slow thinning of hair, or encourage hair growth. But others have little effect. Digging around a little will help you to determine whether an effective treatment might fit your situation. Millions of men are in your same position, so there are plenty of companies that make claims about solutions for male pattern baldness.
But be warned that there is a long history of charlatans and cheats operating in the hair loss treatment industry. So be careful about accepting claims of unknown products or companies. Check with friends or family members who have experience with male pattern baldness, and tread carefully.
Marlene Baliss is a columnist for a variety of web sites, on alternative health and health and wellness subjects. Don't reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.
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