The Effects of DHT: Hair Loss and How to Stop it

In both male and females hair loss can often be attributed to some sort of significant hormonal change within the body, specifically changes within the metabolism of Androgen present in an individual’s body. Androgen, a male hormone, plays a vital part in both the production of hair, as well as the loss of it. Baldness commonly occurs when the metabolism of Androgen reacts with a type of chemical enzyme, know as 5 Alpha Reductase enzymes, which has been known to attached or bind to the male sex hormone Testosterone. When these hormones react with each other the result is an increase of levels of Dihydrotestosterone, commonly known as DHT, the far more potent cousin of Testosterone which has been proven to cause the vast majority of hair loss cases.

DHT is able to cause this hair loss by shrinking the hair follicles on a person’s scalp, which over time results in these follicles being far too small for hair to grow, resulting in baldness. This is achieved by interacting with the Androgen receptors present on the dermal papilla, which is crucial to the hair growing process. By interacting with these receptors DHT is able to provide the delivery of vital nutrients and vitamins from the blood stream to the hair follicles, which makes it impossible for these follicles to sustain levels of growth required to have what we would refer to as a full head of hair.

The link between DHT and hair loss has been well established, with numerous clinical studies and surveys concluding that this hormone can be directly linked as the cause of as many as 95% of all cases of hair loss. These studies have also shown evidence that the condition is genetically linked or hereditary, with the physical attribute of over producing DHT being passed from generation to generation. However, there are hair loss solutions and options available to those suffering with this condition which can be highly beneficial to preventing any further hair loss as well as in some cases helping to generate and promote new hair growth. The most common and popular of these treatments is Propecia, a prescription only male hair loss treatment designed for men suffering with hair loss.

Propecia (Finasteride), which is marketed by Merck, is a once-daily prescription pill which works to effectively block both DHT itself as well as the production of this hormone for the duration of treatment. Available in one dose, Propecia 1mg as a treatment has proved highly effective in treating male pattern hair loss, with as many as 99% of all those who have taken it seeing positive results as well as regeneration of hair in some cases. It is important to note that this option for dealing with hair loss is only available to men, as Propecia 1mg can effect the fertility and reproduction processes of women who come into contact with it. However, there is an alternative non-prescription option which is available to both sexes and can be just as effective as Propecia (Finasteride) in preventing further loss as a result of male pattern hair loss.

This treatment, called Minoxidil, is marketed as Regaine and is available in two strengths – 2%, which is suitable for female Patients, and 5% for use in male patients only. Minoxidil was originally developed to regulate blood pressure in hypertensive patients, however during the trial stage of this treatment many noted excessive hair growth as a side effect. After the discovery of this potential benefit of the treatment it