Hair loss is one of the most common cosmetic complaints that doctors face when treating adult male patients. Doctors want to make their patients look and feel better about their appearances while offering realistic remedies that may be able to restore the natural growth of their hair. To help them understand why this condition in men is so prevalent today, doctors encourage patients to take part in medical studies at centers all around the country. They also make available treatments that may encourage the growth of real hair or at least help recoup some of the hair loss suffered by patients. Participating in a study at our research site could help scientists better understand how to treat and prevent this condition.
What Is Male Hair Loss?
Male hair loss is also known as male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia. Scientists believe that this condition affects over 50 percent of the male population in the U.S. It occurs most often in men who are over the age of 50.
Scientists also theorize that a number of different factors cause or directly contribute to the condition. Some of the primary culprits for this cosmetic condition include:
• genetics
• an imbalance of male hormones called androgens
• premature end of the hair follicle growing cycles
• cancer
• thyroid disease
• use of anabolic steroids
• use of certain prescription medications
• fungal scalp infection
• nutritional disorders
Male pattern baldness may also be caused by underlying illnesses that manifest itself through prominent symptoms like:
• rash
• redness
• pain
• peeling
• hair breakage
• patchy hair
• unusual hair loss patterns
Doctors may perform a biopsy on the scalp to determine if a more serious disease like cancer could be the cause of the hair loss. Barring invasive infections and illnesses, doctors may then recommend any number of remedies to ease or resolve male hair loss.
Currently Available Treatments
Patients who are unwilling to undergo extensive medical procedures may be encouraged to consider less invasive remedies for androgen alopecia like:
• wearing a wig or hair piece
• choosing a new hairstyle or shaving their heads
• wearing weaves
• using medications like Rogaine, Propecia, or Proscar
• undergoing counseling to feel more confident about their appearance
However, patients who are willing to try more invasive options for male hair loss may be viable candidates for a hair transplant procedure. Hair transplant for men can restore a full head of hair and encourage growth of new hair.
The surgery is performed in a single day surgery center or hospital and can last from four to eight hours. However, it is only moderately invasive and minimally painful. It is also easy to recover from and allows you to go back to work or your normal routine in about a week.
While many treatment options exist, only medical studies like the ones performed at DeNova Research continue to probe the question of what causes male hair loss and what can be done to treat this common health complaint in men. If you are interested in helping us accelerate research on the causes and treatments for hair loss, contact our office in Chicago to learn more about the studies we conduct.
