Hair loss in males encompasses the aspects of a pattern of male baldness that is experienced during the advanced stages of growth among men. The medical condition is usually referred to as androgenetic alopecia.

There are a plethora of hair loss reasons in males. The problem is perceived as a natural phase of aging in men but the resultant social and psychological repercussions have exacerbated gross concerns in both the medical fraternity and the society.        

What Do Studies Suggest?      

Research has been done in order to unravel the causative agents of androgenetic alopecia and the necessary mitigation measures have been devised in order to arrest the appalling situation among the male population.

Research has it that there is a particular pattern of scalp baldness among males. The root cause of such a condition is directly attached to the significant hormonal changes in the male physiological system. Hormones are chemical catalysts that drive the various body functions such as the growth of hair.

Hormones found in men are androgen, testosterone, and others but the most relevant one in this scenario is androgen. Androgen confers male characteristics to an individual during the growth process.    The hormone secretion is reduced exponentially with the aging process since the function keeps dwindling in the male bodies.

Baldness is one of the male characteristics that demarcate males from females. The aspect is more pronounced in males especially in the sunset days of males.   More than fifty million US citizens are bald. Half the male population experience baldness by fifty-year age.

The psychological distress caused by the condition has become the recipe for research. 

Causes of Hair Loss in Males

Androgenetic alopecia has been found to be brought about by the following: 

●       Changing rates of hormone secretion in terms of quantity and quality.

●       Deficiency in nutrition

●       Absence of iron

●       Infection effects  

●       Psychological causative agents  

●       Consumption of blood thinners or Anticoagulants  

●       Hair growth cycle disturbance (Telogen effluvium) 

●       Excessive presence of Vitamin A due to consumption of retinoid drugs  

●       Severe or chronic disease onslaught such as lupus (fungal infection) or diabetes  

Discussion  

Men begin hair loss during the interaction of some three factors such as age, hormones, and genetics. Different men command varied genetic makeup and the time of baldness keep varying as a result.

The male genome determines the occurrence of male hair loss patterns. Such factors have a gross bearing on the slow shrinkage of the minute cavities located in the body integument at the base hairs (scalp hair follicles).

The hair tends to progressively grow finer and shorter compared to the previous hair until the growth grinds to a standstill. In some cases, white males tend to experience hair loss based on their genome and age.

Half of the white males happen to portray symptoms of androgenetic alopecia by the age of fifty years. Eighty percent of male cohorts in the level of 70 years are victims of hair loss. Some ethnicities such as Japan and China show little symptoms of androgenetic alopecia. There are significantly higher chances of an individual who has a family history of kin with a second or third-degree hair loss. The effect is aggravated by the close genetic linkage in the hair loss process.  

Based on Genetic Home Reference, one is advised to seek medical attention at the slightest show of androgenetic alopecia because the symptom has a direct link to the prevalence of prostate cancer, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Prostate cancer menace is quite rampant among males at their advanced ages and speedy medical attention helps treat the disease. The condition emerges due to:   Psychological stress reaction or disease recovery or Surgery recovery process. 

Effects of diagnosed medication such as Vitamin A supplements, blood thinners or anticoagulants.  Androgenetic alopecia can serve as a symptom of particular health status.

For instance, hair loss can show a fungal attack condition commonly alluded to as lupus or even some thyroid medical challenge. Androgen Receptor gene has been attached to androgenetic alopecia due to the deductions from numerous deep research process. Some research underpins abnormal quantities of prostaglandin D2 could cause hair loss. Prostaglandin D2 is a protein that is dominant in the scalp.  

Treatment  

Most of the aging generation perceives the hair loss phenomenon as a natural process that is not worth worrying. The negative psychological effects of hair loss triggered in the victims such as adverse depression or low self-esteem have catapulted the need for medical attention among victims.

The Food and Drug Administration arm of the US government has recommended the consumption of Rogaine as a sole source of medication. Rogaine has Minoxidil as an active component that helps ameliorate androgenetic alopecia.   

The drug is applied on the surface of the scalp, a process referred to as topical application. The medicine can be acquired over the counter in lotion or foam form. The interested hair loss victims can access Rogaine at a convenient time.

Minoxidil serves as a hypersensitive vasodilator that allows for efficient blood flow in the vessels ramifying the root of the hair follicle. The drug was produced by Upjohn Company in the 1950s but the hair loss application was initiated in 1988. The hair loss prevention efficacy came as an accident as it was considered a side effect. Rogaine confers a massaging effect on the scalp twice but on a daily basis.

Each treatment requires a milliliter of Minoxidil. The user can use half-filled Rogaine bottle top content of Minoxidil and positive results are expected after a span of four to six months. The consumption should be continuous in order to maintain the efficacy.

But, does Rogaine work? According to HoldTheHairline.com, Rogaine supports the growth of hair via the hyperpolarization process of the cell membrane. The vessels and the potassium channels are expanded. Then, there is greater infusion of hair follicles with oxygen, blood, and nutrients which nourish the hair enhancing effective growth. Aging and dormant hair follicles are rejuvenated whereas the existing follicles are kept healthy.

The current healthy hair follicles are stimulated to their anagen phase, the active hair growth stage. The hair which is in the anagen level tends to be robust and thicker in nature.   

The patients who are ideal for Rogaine medication should be aged between the twenties and thirties and the hair follicle dormancy should have been below a duration of 5 years.

Author's Bio: 

Marina Pal is a renowned author and social media enthusiast.