Androgenic
Alopecia is a genetic non reversible disease that leads to
hair loss. It is a form of pattern baldness found both in
men and women. The hair loss is slow and over a period of
years. In case of women the hair becomes thin but no bald
spots occur while in case of men the hair loss is first at
the temples and then an enlarged bald spot at the top of
the head.
Cause
Androgenic Alopecia is said to be caused because of the
sensitivity of hair growing tissues to the hormones. The
sensitivity is because of genetic factors. Androgenic
Alopecia is neither contagious nor caused by food.
Androgenic Alopecia is genetic in nature and runs in
families.
Now let
us look at the specific causes of Androgenic Alopecia in
men and women
Men
In men
Androgenic Alopecia is a multi-factorial condition which
includes genetic predisposition along with circulating
androgens which are the key factors in the process of
miniaturization hair follicle and reduction in the anagen
phase.
Women
Androgenic Alopecia is due to hereditary hair loss in the
case of women. It is a multi-factorial condition. There is
follicular exposure to androgens which leads to
progressive miniaturization along with reduced hair
growth. As a result vellus hairshaft are created which
remain.
Symptoms
The
major symptoms of Androgenic Alopecia include thinning of
the hair over the entire head as well as mild to moderate
hair loss at the hairline or crown.
Treatment
No
effective treatment for Androgenic Alopecia was available
till now but few medications are available now
Rogaine
(minoxidil) which is used to treat high blood pressure can
be applied to the skin causing the hair to regrow. The
chances of the hair growing back are as low as one in ten.
Five out of ten will be able to slower the rate of
hairfall.
Natural
hair loss treatment such as Provillus has been successful
in certain cases.
Another
option available is hair transplant. Hair is surgically
removed from areas with plenty of hair and implanted in
places of little hair.
Scalp
reduction can be beneficial in some cases. It is a
surgical process which involves cutting out bald area.
Propecia (
Finasteride) which is
a new
medicine taken by mouth treats Androgenic Alopecia. It is
not currently suggested for use by women. Five alpha
reductase inhibitors are being thought over for use by
female.
Other
drugs that can be used are:
Systemic anti-androgen drugs like
Spironolactone: Aldactone® Spiroctan®, Diatensec®,
Cyproterone acetate (Androcur®), Diane® or Flutamide (Eulexin®).
