Everybody loses some hairs daily, for example, when combing or washing their hair, and this is a norm. But losing too much hair is a pathology and should be treated. Some start to lose hair in their twenties. The hair of others start to thin and fall out after a stress, while some people are just predisposed to hair loss and become bald gradually, as they age. Statistically men are affected by baldness much more often, than women. But what causes hair fall in men and how can it be treated?
Hair Fall Causes
About one of three men suffers from hair loss. Men are more predisposed to hair fall due to testosterone, the principal male sex hormone, which is normally present in a male’s body in larger amounts, than in a female’s one. In general hair fall can be caused by the following factors:
- stress,
- chemotherapy,
- pregnancy,
- overactive or malfunctioning thyroid gland,
- certain infections,
- iron deficiency,
- menopause.
Anabolic Steroids and Hair Fall
One of the side effects of anabolic steroids is baldness. This is due to the fact, that steroids contain this male sex hormone. As bodybuilding is associated with anabolic steroids, bodybuilders often suffer from this condition. Avoiding steroid abuse can help prevent hair loss.
Hair Loss Treatment
No matter, what causes hair loss – stress or the intake of certain drugs, – the following procedures are proved to be effective against hair fall:
- hormone therapy,
- applying special lotions,
- hair transplantation.
Hormone Therapy
The first way to treat baldness is hormone therapy. It hinders the male sex hormone affecting hair follicles and, thus, stops hair fall. It can be quite effective, if used during a long period of time. One of the disadvantages of hormone therapy is the fact, that the side effects of its long-term use are unknown. By the way, it’s not recommended to bodybuilders, as it can hinder muscle growth, which is actually the aim of every bodybuilder.
Lotions Containing Minoxidil
In addition to hormone therapy, there are also local solutions of the hair fall problem, such as using topical lotions containing minoxidil (Brand name: Rogaine). They are applied directly to the scalp. Such lotions improve blood circulation of the hair follicles, which slows down hair loss. There has not been carried out any studies on the interaction of lotions containing minoxidil and anabolic steroids taken intramuscularly or orally.
Hair Transplantation
Today hair transplantation has become pretty popular among men wanting to stop losing their hair. It is a surgical procedure and involves the following: the hair follicles are taken from one part of the head (or the body) and are then implanted in the “problematic zones”. This procedure is very promising to give men losing hair their head of hair back. Besides, it can be used by bodybuilders, as there hasn’t been found contraindications.
Before choosing this or that method of hair loss treatment, consult a qualified doctor.