Andropause and Hair Loss

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

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

An excess of this hormone has the effect of decreasing the size of hair follicles which eventually break and cause hair to fall out sporadically. The medical condition that is best associated with hair loss in patients with andropause is hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is a byproduct of declining levels of human growth hormone, which is responsible for regulating our aging process. The hormones of people with andropause have a profound effect on the speed and consistency of hair loss. Dihydrotestosterone (considered in medical circles to be the strongest and most potent form of testosterone) is responsible for the formation and growth of body hair in men (at normal levels, an excess causes hair loss).

This includes body hair, pubic hair, head hair, underarm hair, any hair. DHT is produced directly in the skin, it works by supporting the enzymes that break it down to distribute it throughout the body. DHT levels are more present in certain areas of the body than others, which explains why we can have large amounts of hair on our heads and small strands of hair on our chests and backs. Notice, women also have DHT in their bodies but they produce less of it.

That explains why women don't have body hair. Case in point: An excess of DHT is common in andropause patients, which explains the reason for hair loss. The enzyme used to break down testosterone into dihydrotestosterone is "overactivated", working too much too fast.

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

How hair grows is a wonderful thing in itself that needs to be recognized. Hair typically grows at a rate of a quarter inch every 2 weeks. Andropause sufferers have their “hair growth cycles” interrupted when there is erratic growth of some hair strands where the “new” hair pushes against the “old” hair. Because andropause is a period of hormonal imbalance, the lack of hormonal stability and poor homeostasis (holistic balance) in the body causes things to get out of control.

If you want to maintain healthy strands of hair, one thing you can do is hit that stepping machine, folks! Exercise reverses the aging process and can certainly reverse this symptom. There are also anti-loss products that can help you get your hair back.

Secondary causes of hair loss in men suffering from Andropause is stress. More specifically, stress raises the levels of cortisol and cortisone (known as stress hormones) in the body. Eating non-nutritious food also speeds up hair loss.

Virtually any activity that speeds up the aging process will speed up hair loss.

Stay away from caffeinated drinks, fast foods, and smoking to keep running your hands through your thick mane longer. Participate in recreational activities to reduce stress and brighten your life with a proper exercise regimen.

If you suffer from this condition, don't let it affect you in the least! Andropause should not serve as a punishment, but as the realization of a better future.

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