If you are seeing more of your bald scalp than you'd like, you are not alone. Male pattern hair loss accounts for about 95% of almost all cases of baldness in men. Initially, baldness was associated with ageing, but occurrence of hair loss in younger men has generated a need to study the root cause of this problem. An intriguing question that arises out of it is why some men are more prone to hair loss than others?

The root cause of male pattern baldness

The prevalence of male pattern baldness varies from population to population based on personal habits and diet. But the most common cause of male hair loss is hormonal in nature. Men suffering male pattern baldness develop receding hairline due to thinning of hair from the cross sides of forehead.

Hair follicles are tiny sacs in the scalp that grow hair. Normally, a hair grows from each follicle for a period of three years, after which it sheds and a new hair grows in its place. In some men, testosterone gets converted into another hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by an enzyme 5-alpha reductase. Hair follicles develop a genetic sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone and shrink in size. They shrink to such an extent that they are not able to sustain hairs and even regrow new hairs. As a result, hair starts to thin on the scalp leading to a receding hairline. A typical 'U' or 'M' pattern of hair appears on the scalp areas as hairs from temples and top of the head also fall.

Pill treatment for male pattern baldness

Propecia finasteride is a prescription-only medication that can offer positive results for men suffering from male pattern baldness. It works by blocking the action 5-alpha reductase to convert testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. This male hair loss pill also helps the hair follicles regain their ability to grow new hair. In a five-year study, men with mild to moderate hair loss experienced significant hair regrowth with Propecia. About 42% people had no further hair loss after using this drug. Some other important points about Propecia include:

1. Propecia should be considered as a long-term hair loss treatment to see any positive results. Usually, it takes about three to four months to see any noticeable effects, and up to one to two years for full hair growth.

2. If you stop taking Propecia finasteride pill in the middle of treatment, you are likely to lose any hair you have gained within a year of discontinuing it.

3. Side effects are not common with Propecia. For instance, about 2 in 100 men treated with Propecia reported loss of libido, but regained their sex drive after discontinuing this medication.

4. A study has shown that Propecia can be given as a preventive treatment to people at risk of developing prostate cancer.

5. This male hair loss pill is not available on the NHS, so you can order Propecia online from registered clinics on valid prescription.

6. Women are not recommended to take Propecia, especially pregnant women shouldn't even handle broken or crushed tablets.