5 Alpha Reductase and Baldness
Written by Male Pattern Baldness Writer on August 26th, 2010According to the latest studies on hair loss, premature thinning of hair and baldness is a common problem among greater than 30% of the population, worldwide. This problem just isn’t limited to the men only. It affects both the sexes though there seem to be a higher number of males suffering from hair loss than women. A good number of individuals struggling with hair loss try out quite a few methods of treatment to stop further hair loss. However, usually it leads to failure a result of an enzyme known as 5 Alpha Reductase.
This enzyme plays an important role in hair loss. In fact whether you will suffer from a receding hair line or not is determined by this enzyme which plays an important role. The adrenal gland is to be blame for producing this enzyme. When this enzyme reacts with the testosterone it results in something referred to as dihydrotestosterone or DHT. DHT is the principal cause behind the premature thinning of the hair and baldness that is clinically known as alopecia. It affects both the sexes. But the male pattern baldness is called AGA or Androgenetic Alopecia. This is triggered through an over secretion of the enzyme 5 Alpha Reductase.
The unwanted secretion of DHT causes severe baldheadedness. It affects men more than women for the fact that women only produce a very small amount of testosterone. While testosterone is a male hormone, however, women can easily be affected by DHT to a greater degree post menopause.
Treatment
Medications such as Dutasteride, Finasteride and Minoxidil are prescribed to handle baldness from DHT. Minoxidil is considered for being more effective than the others to prevent thinning of hair. This medicine needs to be applied directly to the scalp of the individual struggling with hair loss. For Minoxidil to be successful, you have to apply regularly for a period of at least six months. But this will not be able to prevent the production of DHT. The other medications are taken in the form of a pill.
Most of these drugs to deal with 5 Alpha Reductase have side effects. So it’s always preferable that you ought to opt for the natural inhibitors of this enzyme things like green tea, phytosterol complex, saw palmetto and such.