Andropause and Hair Loss

Andropause and hair loss often go hand in hand. Imagine clumps of hair
falling off your head, or observing strands of once healthy hair collecting in
the shower drain. Maybe you run your hand through your hair and feel it
thinning. It can feel daunting and quite scary.

Typically, hair loss is a result of an imbalance of male testosterone hormone in
the body. Instead of infusing the hair with healthy testosterone, enzymes
break it down to a simpler form known as dihydrotestosterone.

An excess of this hormone has the effect of decreasing the size of hair
follicles which eventually break down and make your hair fall off sporadically.
The medical condition that is best associated with hair loss in Andropause
sufferers is hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is a by-product of decreasing
levels of Human Growth Hormone, which is responsible for regulating our
aging process. Andropause sufferers¡¯ hormones have a profound effect on
the rate and consistency of hair loss. Dihydrotestosterone (considered by
medical circles the strongest, most potent form of testosterone) is
responsible for building and growing body hair in men (at normal levels - an
excess causes hair degeneration.)

This includes body hair, pubic hair, head hair, armpit hair ¨C any hair. DHT is
directly produced in the skin, made to work by supporting enzymes that
break it down for distribution throughout the body. DHT levels are present
more in certain areas of the body than in others ¨C explaining why we may
have a full crop of hair on our heads and little bushes of hair on our chests
and backs. Realize, women also have DHT in their bodies but produce less of
it.

That explains why women don¡¯t have body hair. Case in point: an excess of
DHT is prevalent in Andropause sufferers, explaining the reason for hair loss.
The enzyme used to break down testosterone to dihydrotestosterone is
¡§over activated¡§ - working too hard and too fast.

This is the primary cause for this Andropausal condition. As
aforementioned, dihydrotestosterone is present more in certain
areas of the body than in others. For this reason, men¡¯s hair can fall
into funny patterns. You know, the balding train station clerk you might
have seen with more hair on his scalp than the top of his head. The shrinking
of hair follicles as a result of the production of DHT is attributed to this.

How hair grows is a wondrous thing in itself that needs to be recognized.
Typically, hair grows at a rate of a quarter inch every 2 weeks. Andropause
sufferers have their ¡§hair growth cycles¡§ disrupted when there is
erratic growth of some hair strands where ¡§new¡§ hair pushed
¡§old¡§ hair out. Because Andropause is a period of hormonal
imbalance, a lack of hormonal stability and poor homeostasis
(holistic balance) in the body pushes things out of whack.

If you want to maintain healthy strands of hair, one thing you can
do is hit that stair climber machine fellas! Exercise reverses the
aging process and may certainly reverse this symptom. There are
also hair loss products that can help you recapture your hair.

Secondary causes of hair loss in men suffering Andropause is
stress. More specifically, stress raises the levels of cortisol and
cortisone (known as stress hormones) in the body. Eating non-
nutritional foods also speeds up hair loss.
Pretty much any activity that speeds up the aging process will
speed up your hair loss.

Stay away from caffeinated drinks, fast foods, and cigarette
smoking to keep running your hands through your thick mane
longer. Participate in recreational activities to reduce stress and
light up your life with a proper exercise regimen.
If you¡¯re suffering from this condition, don¡¯t let it affect you in the least bit!
Andropause should not serve as a punishment ¨C rather, a realization of a
future for the better.

The information in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not
intended as medical advice.

About the Author

Andropause and hair loss often go hand in hand. But there are plenty of things you can do to stop hair loss and promote healthy growth. Find out what you need to do now.