Androgenic alopecia in women and men: causes, treatment and consequences

Androgenic alopecia - hair loss due to increased formation of male hormones (androgens). This phenomenon is more common in men. However, women suffer baldness on the background of endocrine disorders. It is important to remember that this is not just a cosmetic defect, in this case the loss of hair connected with hormonal disorders. If in men, baldness is manifested only in hair loss in women of young age are detected and other signs of androgen excess. Therefore, the loss of hair requires not only treatment by a trichologist, but consultation of the endocrinologist.

What is androgenetic alopecia

Androgenic alopecia - hair loss at the crown or forehead, women also thins the line of parting. This pathology is associated with the action of hormones. Otherwise, this disease is called male-pattern baldness. In rare cases, the hair fall completely.

Distinguish between "androgenetic alopecia" and "androgen". In androgenetic alopecia, the main role is played by heredity. Early hair loss is genetically transmitted. Due to excessive receptor sensitivity to the hormone dihydrotestosterone hair follicles of man becomes too weak. The result is strong hair replaced by fine. Then they look down and fall out.

Androgenic alopecia is associated with an increased level of dihydrotestosterone. It occurs during human life and is not inherited. Its cause is endocrine diseases or hormonal drugs. Under the influence of androgens fails, the life cycle of hair. There are 3 growth period of hair:

• Anagen;
• Catagen;
• Telogen

Period anagen lasts between 2 to 8 years. At this time there is hair growth. In the catagen stage (2-4 weeks) the follicle regresses, his power is broken. Telogen is a resting state that lasts 2-4 months. At this time the hair falls out. Then again comes anagen. In place of the old hair and grow new. Normally, a person in a state of telogen is about 10% of hair.

Hair follicles are equipped with receptors which are sensitive to androgens. An excess of dihydrotestosterone, the anagen phase becomes shorter. Occur degenerative processes in the follicles. Because of this, old hair strongly drop out, and in their place grow new ones. Photo androgenetic alopecia can be seen below.

Why people often lose hair on the crown and forehead? These areas are exposed to the action of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. He turns the hormone testosterone to dihydrotestosterone under the influence of which reduces hair growth.

The disease occurs at any age. But most often androgenic alopecia appears in women after age 50. This is due to increased levels of steroid hormones before menopause. In men, this baldness usually occurs after 35 years.

Is there a cure for androgenic alopecia? Doctors believe that in most cases the loss of hair is reversible. It is only necessary to establish the correct growth cycle. But sometimes, there is a serious lesion of the follicles, where hair growth is not restored. Often this phenomenon is observed among men.

Cause of baldness

As already mentioned, the main cause of androgenic alopecia is the excessive level of testosterone that is then converted to dihydrotestosterone. The risk group includes the following categories of people:

1. Male. Testosterone levels in men much higher than women.
2. In the age of 50 years. In older adults due to hormonal changes increases the level of testosterone that leads to baldness.
3. Patients taking anabolic steroids and corticosteroids. These drugs increase the production of testosterone.
4. People who take antipsychotics, antidepressants, and drugs "Reserpine", "Ketoconazole", "Cimetidine", "Arginine", "Penicillamine". These drugs increase the activity of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which is responsible for transforming testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.
5. Women during menopause and pregnancy. Hormonal changes during these periods can cause high levels of androgens in the body.
6. Patients with dysfunction of the pituitary, adrenal, and both male and female gonads. These pathologies are accompanied by enhanced testosterone production.

Symptoms in men

Androgenic alopecia in men manifested in the increase of hair loss and thinning hair. This is the main manifestation of the disease. Are the following signs of disease:

1. Hair lose quality, become thinner, become dull.
2. Formed bald areas.
3. On the head you can see down.
4. Hair slowly grow back.

The Hormone testosterone is a natural male body. Therefore, visible signs of endocrine disorders in androgenetic alopecia in men is not marked.

Symptoms in women

In women androgenetic alopecia origin leads to hair loss and thinning at the crown of your head and forehead. In post-menopausal it is not causing any symptoms on the part of the endocrine system. At a young age androgenicalopecia in women can be accompanied by the following forms:

• A violation of the regularity of monthly period;
• The appearance of hair on the chin, upper lip, cheeks, chest, back;
• Oily skin;
• Appearance of acne (acne).

These are signs of excessive production of male hormones.

Diagnostic Methods

Treatment of baldness is engaged in the doctor-trichologist. Usually it is always recommended to consult an endocrinologist, and for women - gynecologist.

When the diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia is prescribed of the following tests:

• Blood test for testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (patients with these indicators is always higher than the norm);
• Analysis on hormones of a thyroid gland, pituitary gland and adrenal glands;
• Immunological research on t-cells and T;
• Wasserman (to exclude syphilis).

In addition, it is recommended to undergo ultrasound of the ovaries and adrenal glands, as well as MRI and CT scan of the brain. These methods help to determine the cause of excess androgens in the body.

There are special tests to assess the condition of the hair on the head is:

• Traction test with stretching the hair;
• Analysis of fungal infection hair;
• A study by the hairline on the concentration of chemical elements;
• Trichogramma - screening prestudy hair;
• Microscopic examination of the hair shaft.

Differential diagnosis

When Troubleshooting, it is important to distinguish between androgenic baldness from androgenetic. These two forms of alopecia have different mechanism of development. Androgenetic alopecia is characterized by increased sensitivity of receptors of the follicles to DHT. The level of hormone in the body is normal. Trichogramma helps to distinguish these two forms of alopecia. While androgenetic alopecia is the survey shows a decrease in hair follicles and dysplastic changes in them.

Also to be distinguished from androgenic alopecia is diffuse. These pathologies are associated with different reasons. In diffuse hair loss hair fall evenly on different areas of the head. It is not associated with excess DHT. When androgenic alopecia hair is lost in those areas which depend on the level of male hormones.

Medication

How to treat androgenic alopecia? This disease is always the result of violation of the hormonal balance. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the cause of disease is excess testosterone and DHT.

In the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in women be prescribed drugs that reduce the level of male sex hormones:

• "Diane-35";
• "Androkur";
• "Platform Femina";
• "Klimen";
• "Cyproterone".

It is Also used estrogen products:

• "Janine";
• "yasmin";
• "Microfollin".

Antiandrogens reduce the level of testosterone and DHT in the female body. This effect is enhanced by the use of female hormones.

In the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men will not prescribe medications that reduce testosterone levels. This hormone required by the body of the stronger sex. For therapy men use drugs that suppress the activity of 5-alpha reductase:

• "Affinal";
• "Pinaster";
• "Prosterid";
• "Serlon";
• "Finasteride";
• "Fanpost".

To Take such drugs the patient must for a long period of time - from 1 year to 2 years. The hair is restored in the majority of cases. However, there are side effects of drugs androgenetic alopecia. In the opinions of men, contains information about the low potency and the appearance of gynecomastia after taking drugs. These drugs used only under medical supervision, as they affect the level of testosterone. You need to adhere strictly to recommended dosages, and sometimes together to take medication for the regulation of potency.

Externally administered funds on the basis of Minoxidil. They are released in the form of ointments, shampoos, sprays, lotions. They improve blood flow to the follicles and promote hair growth. The drug is only effective for a small period of alopecia (up to 3 - 5 years). Minoxidil reduces the effects of DHT and speed up the transition of follicles from the resting stage to the growth phase. The result of the treatment are noticeable after 4-6 months.

If products based on Minoxidil used to treat female alopecia, you need to utilize the solution is not more than 2%. Overdose of the drug can cause patients hair growth on the face.

Prescribed drugs with spironolactone. It's a diuretic that possesses antiandrogenic action. In pill form this medication to take is undesirable, since in large doses it often causes side effects. Smaller dosages are usually do not help. For alopecia useful ointments and creams with spironolactone, but they are more effective in the treatment of women.

In addition to antiandrogenic drug prescribed sprays with supplements and vitamins to improve hair growth:

• "Alerana";
• "Silencin";
• "Semilux";
• "Kerastase";
• "Cerium";
• "Aminexil".

It is Useful to eat vitamin-mineral complexes to improve the quality of hair: "Pantovigar", "Merz", "Centeral", "Revalid".

Natural remedy lowering activity of 5-alpha-reductase are the fruits of the dwarf palm. You can use ready-made pharmaceutical preparation "Infantil", which contains the plant extract.

Often patients ask the question: how to treat androgenic alopecia folk remedies? To get rid of this disease only with the help of herbs and herbal teas, as it is based on hormonal disorders. But you can Supplement medication the use of herbal remedies that contain natural estrogens. This hop cones, leaves, clover, sage, pomegranates, apples, carrots. From these, you can prepare hair masks and herbal teas for rinsing hair.

Among the reviews about the popular media mentioned about the successful experience of treatment of hair loss flax seed oil. It contains many vitamins that nourish and strengthen hair. It is better to buy cold pressed oil sold in pharmacies. However, the application of this folk remedy should be combined with hormonal drugs.

Physiotherapy

The effectiveness of the treatment of androgenic alopecia by means of physiotherapeutic methods there are different opinions of experts. Some trichologists believe that such procedures are ineffective, as after their withdrawal, the baldness returns. However, many doctors prescribe physiotherapy:

1. Galvanization. It's impact on balding areas with a weak electric current. It improves blood supply to the follicle and normalize endocrine background.
2. Electrophoresis. Under the action of the current in the skin type of medication. Used drugs with magnesium, zinc, aminophylline. They stimulate blood flow and prevent hair loss.
3. Electrical Stimulation. This method represents the effects of a constant pulse current on the nervous system. The procedure stimulates the production of enzymes and biologically active substances, which normalize the function of the endocrine system and positive effect on the trophism of the scalp.
4. The Laser therapy. Infrared and ultraviolet radiation promotes the formation of new cells and improve blood supply to the areas of baldness. As a result, old hair stop falling out and new grows back.
5. Darsonvalization. Special electrode (in the form of a comb) is carried out on problematic areas of the head. The impact of AC improves the nourishment of hair follicles and blood circulation in the balding areas.

Reviews on the treatment of androgenic alopecia darsonvalization show the effectiveness of this method. After a course of treatment 10-20 days hair stop falling out and begin to grow faster. However, all physiotherapy techniques should be supplemented by drug treatment.

Beauty treatments

Cosmetic procedures for hair restoration are part of a comprehensive treatment of baldness. Popular use of mesotherapy with androgenic alopecia in women. Reviews talking about the high efficiency of this method. In the scalp is administered injections of drug mixtures. They have a vasodilator effect, it improves the nutrition of the follicle and blood circulation. After a series of such procedures establish the normal life cycle of hair.

Mesotherapy is doing and with the help of special roller. It is a roller with fine needles. This device is carried out on problematic areas of the head, and then on the dermis causing drugs. Skin gets covered with microscopic punctures, which penetrate through the drug.

One of the new ways of treatment is the PRP. Subcutaneously administered, the blood plasma of the patient. This method helps to improve the condition of hair follicles, and extend their service life by approximately 2 years.

Also for dealing with baldness use Botox for the hair. This drug is the vehicle that delivers the hair root nutrients. Vitamins and proteins are retained in the follicle even with washing. In addition, Botox reduces the effect of androgens on the hair growth area. However, not all therapists believe this method to be effective. After completing the course of therapy alopecia could return.

Surgical techniques

In severe cases of alopecia, when to restore natural hair growth is impossible, the use of surgical treatment. In this case the hair follicles are transplanted from other parts of the head or body to the areas of baldness. Operations are performed in the following ways:

1. Method Strip. With take the donor area skin flap. It is divided into several parts, each of which contains 1-3 hair follicles. These areas are transplanted to areas of baldness. The operation is performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia.
2. FUE machine. Donor areas take the area with follicles. Slice it into pieces for replanting. On the area of baldness, make punctures and incisions, through which are inserted the grafts. This operation is also performed under local anesthesia.
3. Method HFE. This is the less traumatic and painless way. Hair follicles taken from the donor area with the help of special needles. At this skin make no cuts. The follicles then injected another needle into the areas of baldness. To date, thisthe method is considered to be the most advanced method of hair transplant.

After the transplant, the follicles retain their functions, and the patient grow new hair. Surgical techniques are helping patients regain their hair even in the most hopeless cases.