Androgenic alopecia is a common cause of hair loss. Will bald men become more manly?

When people reach middle age, their hairline gradually moves upward, which always makes people sigh that life is so "bald". A friend of Huazi had become "Mediterranean" at the age of 30. However, he said that he saw on the Internet that the main cause of hair loss is androgenic alopecia, and baldness definitely means that he has more androgens and stronger ability.

Looking at his smug look, Huazi couldn't help but tell him not to be misled by the name of "androgenic alopecia". In fact, men with premature baldness do not have higher androgen levels.

1. Both men and women will encounter androgenic alopecia For most adults, androgenic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss. And this problem does not only happen to men, women will also encounter it. Whether men or women, both androgens and estrogens are present in their bodies, but the content is different.

Relatively speaking, men have higher levels of male hormones and are more likely to experience androgenic alopecia, while women are less likely. In addition, the hair loss patterns of men and women are different. Men usually have less hair on both sides of the forehead, which gradually extends to the top of the head. The hairline will gradually move back, forming an "M" shape. Women will have less hair on the top of the head and their hairline will become less obvious, but it is rare for the hairline to move back.

Second, bald people do not have more androgen Many people see "androgenic alopecia" and assume that it is due to excessive androgen levels in the body, so they think it will make them "more manly". But the actual results may disappoint everyone. A long time ago, there was a study on androgenic alopecia that found that there was no difference in androgen levels between people with androgenic alopecia and those without.

Androgenic alopecia is caused by the receptors of the hair follicle cells of the person with hair loss being too sensitive to androgens. The androgen in the human body is testosterone, which is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) under the action of 5α-reductase. The hair follicle epithelial cells of the human body have DHT receptors. After binding with DHT, the hair follicle cells enter a dormant period, resulting in hair loss.

The sensitivity of DHT receptors on each person's hair follicle cells is different, so under the stimulation of the same hormone level, some people will lose their hair while others will not. For example, the same chili pepper is nothing to people who can eat spicy food, but it will be extremely painful for people who cannot eat spicy food.

The sensitivity of DHT receptors on hair follicles is related to genetic genes and has a high probability of inheritance. If the father has premature baldness at a young age, then the son will basically have hair loss at the same age. However, androgenic alopecia has no effect on health, but only affects appearance, so there is no need to worry too much.

3. Drug treatment mainly inhibits the production of DHT. The cause of androgenic alopecia is that the DHT receptors of hair follicle cells are too sensitive, but there is no way to change the sensitivity of DHT receptors. Therefore, the current direction of drug treatment is to reduce the production of DHT.

The main medication is 5α-reductase inhibitors (finasteride, dunasteride, etc.), but they are not suitable for women. Women with hair loss can use spironolactone, which has an anti-androgen effect (it is not recommended for men with hair loss).

5α-reductase inhibitors will not affect testosterone secretion, but will only reduce DHT. However, DHT is also a male hormone, so taking the medication may cause abnormal sexual abilities in a small number of men, but these symptoms can be restored after stopping the medication.

To sum up, androgenic alopecia is a common cause of hair loss, but bald men do not have higher androgen levels, it is just that the receptors on the hair follicle cells are too sensitive to androgens, and they do not become "more manly". There is a small probability of causing abnormal ability during medication treatment, but it can be restored after stopping the medication.

In fact, hair loss does not affect health, but only the image. Huazi believes that a high-quality wig is more practical than taking medicine. Medicines must be used under the guidance of a doctor. If you have any questions about the use of medicines, please consult a doctor or pharmacist. I am pharmacist Huazi, welcome to follow me and share more health knowledge.