It's not a big revelation that most men don't want to see their head going bald. Of course, there are people who are perfectly fine with such a situation and embrace their balding as a natural thing. But millions of American men spend millions of dollars on different drugs and preparations to stop and reverse hair loss, hoping to keep their natural hair for as long as possible. But before trying to cope with the problem, it's logic to learn what are the actual causes behind it, right? In most cases hair loss occurs due to nutritional, hormonal and circulatory factors and combination of thereof. These factors may differ in intensity but they all lead to the same problem - lack of proper nutrition of the hair follicle, which leads to drop in natural hair growth rates to the point when it becomes lower than the natural hair loss rate. And since the amount of hair grown is lower than the amount loss, balding starts to develop. As you may see, there are different factors that may contribute to hair loss problems, so it's crucial to pinpoint the exact cause of the problem before you start doing anything about it. Serious illness, trauma, stress and even medication side effects may contribute to hair loss, and it doesn't matter how old are you. It's a common mistake for men to think that hair loss is an age-related condition.

In fact some 20 year olds may experience severe hair loss problems while their 70 year old grand parents keep their hair in perfect condition. Earlier it was believed that genetics play an important role in the hair loss process. People assumed that if a parent had balding problems the child will ultimately have the same issues in the future. However, recent studies have shown that the main reason for hair loss in men is abundance of a specific androgen (male hormone) called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is the result of testosterone transformation. This hormone is not harmful for the overall health, however it has very negative effects over the hair. When there's too much DHT in the bloodstream it comes into contact with the hair follicles. This makes the hair follicles shrink and become mush weaker, which results in slower hair growth rates or complete halt of thereof. And as any person loses 100-200 hairs daily (this is the natural hair loss rate), sooner or later the combined effect is observed in gradual hair loss and balding. One would assume that the best way to fight male hair loss is to prevent DHT formation in the body.

And that's exactly what drugs like Propecia are used for. Propecia and other similar medications prevent the transformation of testosterone into DHT, reducing the impact this hormone has on the hair follicles and thus improving the quality of hair. Taking Propecia on a regular basis stops and even reverses the process of hair loss even in men who have tried other solutions and had hair loss issues for quite a long time. So if you notice that your hair starts to thin, think about paying your doctor a visit and consider all of your options. The sooner you start addressing the problem the easier it will be for you to resolve it effectively.

Male pattern baldness is the most common type of baldness experienced by men. In this condition, you start losing hair in a typical pattern. First your hairline starts receding to form an 'M' shape. Whatever hair remains may get thinner and shorter. Then your crown hair begins to reduce, leading to a bald scalp in the middle with thin hairs on both sides. Although its exact causes are yet to be known, all that scientists have discovered so far is genetic factors and male sex hormones are responsible behind this type of hair fall.

Treatment options

Some men with pattern baldness feel comfortable with their appearance and do not press for treatment. But if you think that no or few hairs on the scalp is affecting your body image negatively, you have options either to go for prescription drugs such as finasteride, or to opt for false hair or hair weaving.

Therapeutic treatment vs. makeshifts

If you seek therapeutic treatment, it may take you at least 3 months before you can see any noticeable improvement. Finasteride, which is sold under the brand name Propecia in the UK, does not just stop hair fall, but also encourages hair regrowth. So the main difference between therapeutic treatment and ready-made measures is that the former gives a long-term solution to male hair loss, while the latter is just a makeshift arrangement. Going for hair weaving or false hair won't help you get back your lost hairs.

How the medicine works to prevent and reverse hair loss?

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Propecia works by blocking the production of an androgenic hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the main perpetrator behind pattern hair loss in men. Among all other clinical hair loss therapies, the success rate of finasteride is quite impressive. According to statistics, the drug prevents hair loss in about 90% of men and sparks off hair regrowth in approximately 65% of men. The active ingredient is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, capable of preventing the hair follicles from getting exposed to DHT. For new hair to grow, it is important that the follicles remain alive. But with male pattern hair loss, the follicles become genetically sensitive to DHT, which means that the follicles no longer respond to the hormone. So what finasteride does is it helps keep the follicles alive by reducing DHT. Consequently, the rate of hair fall slows down and new hair starts to grow.

Useful tips and suggestions to get the best out of hair loss treatment

• Each medicine has its pros and cons. So never take a medicine unless your doctor suggests it for you.
• A hair loss medication may take a toll on your sex life. Tell your doctor right away if you experience a reduced sex drive. Switching to a lower dose or altering the method of treatment may do the trick.
• Do not stop treatment once you see the improvements. Finish the entire course.

Male pattern hair loss is not a health disorder, and it MAY or MAY NOT impact an individual's psychology. So do not go with the opinion of others if you are suffering from it. It is very much up to you, as an individual, to gauge whether or not you are okay with your bald appearance. Some bald men carry their image with élan and they do not suffer from identity crisis or lack of self-esteem. So mind your head and decide what is best for you!