Hair Loss Hormones
HAIR LOSS HORMONES
Major studies proved a unanimous conclusion to top the causes of alopecia or hair loss – that is, hormones. Hormones that somehow manage to rule men and women on certain circumstances are blamed for over 90-95% cases of alopecia.
In men, hormonal issues are often coupled with ageing in the abysmal process of hair thinning and baldness. Referred to as male pattern baldness, this alopecia is ascertained to be androgen dependent; holding the androgenic hormone testosterone the most liable for this issue.
Dihydrotestosterone is a by-product of testosterone. This is primarily and more abundantly produced in men’s system as these hormones are far essential for an individual to produce secondary sex characteristics. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is generated from the catalytic process accomplished by the enzyme, 5-alpha reductase. With the increase of testosterone, directly the level of DHT likewise increases.
The excess and freely circulating DHT may bind to hair follicles. Later then, these affected hair follicles shrink causing hair shafts to fall off. When these hair follicles be ripped off, they are unlikely to be regrown with new, healthy ones because of the unsuitable environment for hair growth. If by chance a strand may sprout off of this area, the only chance is that it would look intensely thinner, shorter and off-coloured.
There are also certain circumstances that prove to trigger the increase of levels of testosterone in men’s system. For instance, when an individual performs aerobic exercises or even does weight-lifting, even an hour worth exercise can double the men’s testosterone level.
In women, testosterone is present as well; this is a fraction level is necessary for certain bodily functions. The cycle with regards to that of DHT happening in men is also happening in women. In addition, another agent to cause hair thinning is also named, that is the androsteinedione. These two are proved to cause diffused female baldness. In women’s case, besides the two enzymes being the catalytic factors for hair thinning, other factors are directed to those that cause enormous hormonal imbalance and fluctuation.
If a woman is diagnosed to be suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome, she is also expected to double her dilemma for she is to face hair loss. Women in their pregnancy period and even those at their menopausal age are probably at higher risk. The imbalance in the levels of hormones testosterone, estrogen and progesterone are seen to instigate hair loss due to certain bodily fluctuation of homeostasis and compromise.
The process is intriguing. It might take a couple or more years for the individual to feel the hair loss process. The conversion of hair from large, thick and well-pigmented to shorter, unhealthy and non-pigmented hair in various areas occur gradually. The baring of scalp among men starts at the temporal areas, reshaping it to “M”, then to the crown, as for the women, hair loss is less patterned and is diffused all over indefinite areas of the head.
