Is Male Pattern Baldness Just a Part of Aging?

Is Male Pattern Baldness Just a Part of Aging?

The Ancient Greeks spent as much time thinking about the Meaning of Life as they did with man’s other greatest mystery: Why do many men (and some women) slowly lose their hair as they grow old, and how is it stopped?

Male Pattern Baldness, clinically known as androgenetic alopecia (AGA), affects over 35 million men in the United States. About 20% of men in their 20’s will slowly begin losing their hair, and the incidence increases with age. It is commonly accepted that baldness is part of aging, but there are other factors that contribute to male pattern baldness such as hormone levels.

Hippocrates, considered the father of Western medicine, observed that male eunuchs did not go bald as they aged. He speculated that it had to do with the castration procedure and is therefore linked to the sexual development.

In 1942, Dr. James Hamilton corroborated this observation. He treated 12 prepubescent eunuchs with testosterone, the male hormone. Four of the eunuchs started going bald, but hair regression ceased once the testosterone treatment stopped. He found that the four who went bald came from families where normal male pattern baldness was normal.

Testosterone, Androgens, Heredity and Aging

The balance of androgens in males contributes to baldness. An androgen is the common name for hormones which stimulate male sexual development upon the onset of puberty.  As young males mature the levels of testosterone increases and causes the growth of body and facial hair.  As this is a natural part of male development, some males have a hereditary trait which causes baldness.

As men age, testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the 5 Alpha reductase enzyme. This enzyme slows down hair growth by affecting an androgen receptor in the hair follicle, producing thinner, shorter hair or halting hair growth completely. This pattern begins from the top of the forehead and works backward, eventually causing the “pie bald” pattern in a matter of years.  Conversely, individuals who lack the 5 Alpha reductase enzymes do not experience hair loss.

Progesterone Treatment for Male Pattern Baldness

Natural Progesterone is similar in structure to testosterone. When it is introduced into the body, it is naturally attracted to the hormone receptor in the hair follicle. It will reduce the 5 Alpha reductase enzyme and inhibit the creation dihydrotestosterone (DHT).  Studies have shown that Natural Progesterone treatments can slow hair loss, but does not cause hair re-growth.

Male Pattern Baldness May be Associated with other Health Issues

As men age, their bodies produce less testosterone, which is replaced by dihydrotestosterone. As this hormone declines in the body, problems like bone and muscle loss, depression, migraine headaches and an overall lack of well-being could occur.  In men, this is called andropause – the male analog of menopause experience by mature women.

Sufferers of andropause may experience the following symptoms:

• Decreased sexual function
• Loss of bone density
• Loss of muscle mass
• Weight gain
• Reduced muscle strength
• Memory loss
• Fatigue
• Mood changes and depression

Many studies have shown that natural progesterone therapy is an effective way of restoring men’s hormone balance. These ‘bioidentical’ hormones are derived from natural sources. Because they are identical to the hormones produced by the glands, body readily absorbs them with little complications.

Many studies have shown that natural progesterone therapy is an effective way of restoring men’s
hormone balance. These ‘bioidentical’ hormones are derived from natural
sources. Because they are identical to the hormones produced by the glands,
body readily absorbs them with little complications. The procedure is simple. The
patient takes a bioidentical progesterone pill every evening.

Look Better, Feel Better

One of the added benefits of progesterone therapy is that it may slow hair loss. While there is little evidence that the therapy will re-grow, there are many studies showing it does slow down hair loss. Aside from looking better, the patience may feel better.