Archive for the ‘Research’ Category
Hair loss is estimated to affect over fifty percent of the population. This is a common problem that can affect men, women, and adolescents. There is not a cure for hair loss, but scientists are working hard to change that. Hair loss is a medical condition that requires one to seek medical treatment. There are a number of hair loss treatments, approved by the Food and Drug Administration, which are successful in treating hair loss.
While men can benefit from Propecia, women who suffer from hair loss often feel overlooked in the battle to stop this condition from occurring. As women cannot take Propecia, they are left with few alternatives. Hair loss can cause one to experience depression, fear of social situations, and a loss of self esteem. We live in a world that is very much “appearance conscious.” The loss of hair can cause one to feel self-conscious and negative about outward appearances.
There is a new treatment used in the
What is the Length of Time Needed for Results?
In order for the best results to be achieved, anti-androgen treatment must be used for a period of one year or more. Many women have used this treatment program for a period of two years. In some cases, it took an entire two years before there was significant improvement in the re-growth of new hair. A complete reversal of hair loss can only be achieved if the treatment is used within two years of the onset of hair loss. This is why it is so important to seek immediate medical treatment once you notice hair loss.
Usually, the amount or degree of results is dependent on the woman’s age and the length of time that she has been suffering from alopecia. In all cases, there has been an improvement in the quality of hair. If a woman withdrawals herself from the treatment process, then alopecia will most likely progress further. It is recommended that a patient must stick with the treatment program in order to see the best results.
Are There Side Effects to CPA Therapy?
The side effects of CPA therapy are very similar to those that are closely associated with an oral contraceptive. Spironolactone is known to cause disruptions in the menstrual cycle and an increase in menstrual bleeding. However, in most cases, there were no side effects reported.
CPA Conclusion
CPA therapy is designed to stop damage from occurring in the hair follicle by attacking the root cause of hair loss. It is unknown at this time when anti-androgen therapy will or if it will be approved for use in the
Propecia versus Tricomin
Thursday, December 13th, 2007Tricomin, developed in
Tricomin is expected to be approved by the FDA within the next few years. It seems that the copper-peptide compound, found in Tricomin, neutralizes the superoxide which is one of the reasons that hair follicles are shed. Now, the studies have shown that Tricomin works best if used simultaneously with another hair loss treatment.
Most men in the study used finasteride, or Propecia, while using Tricomin. This is because Propecia is designed to prevent further DHT damage to the hair follicle, therefore combating a different part of the process of hair loss. There are also other combinations that can be used.
Propecia is a highly effective hair loss treatment that is currently available on the market with a prescription. Eventually, depending on more clinical trials, Tricomin will be approved and can be used in conjunction with Propecia to enhance the results. Nonetheless, Propecia, used by itself, is still one of the most effective ways to treat hair loss.
In clinical trials, Propecia has prevented further hair loss from occurring and has also been responsible for the regrowth of hair. If you are suffering from hair loss, it is important that you begin utilizing a Propecia treatment regime as soon as possible. Hair loss has different stages, and if it is caught early on, the damaging affects are lessened greatly by Propecia. Scientists continue to work hard at finding more and more ways to effectively treat hair loss.
The Impacts of Hair Loss on Women
Monday, December 10th, 2007There was recently a study conducted that evaluated the quality of life in a woman that suffers from hair loss. There have been studies conducted that evaluate men and hair loss, but not many that seek to understand women.
Propecia, an effective hair loss treatment for men, has not yet been approved for women. There has been one study conducted thus far that determined Propecia was an effective way to curb hair loss in postmenopausal women.
It is not clear whether Propecia will also be approved for women. Only time can answer this question for us. Nonetheless, it is important to note that both men and women are affected negatively by hair loss.
There were a total of 58 women suffering from hair loss that were interviewed by the Department of Dermatology. It was revealed that the majority of women suffering from hair loss said that the hair loss had a very negative impact on their quality of life.
88% of the women reported that hair loss affected their daily life in negative ways. For example, they were more self-conscious, therefore limiting how much they socialized and performed other outdoor activities.
75% of the women reported that hair loss had created and manifested a loss in self esteem. 50% reported that they experienced social problems because of hair loss. There was a psychosocial maladjustment that was related to the loss of hair in a third of the women.
Hair loss affects both men and women in negative ways. This is why it is so important for a hair loss treatment to treat not only hair loss, but the root cause. Propecia is an effective way to treat hair loss, but it is currently only prescribed for men. In the future, Propecia may be approved for both men and women.
The Relationship between an Iron Deficiency and Hair Loss
Friday, December 7th, 2007With the tremendous popularity and efficiency of Propecia, medical researchers have been turning their attention to understanding the root cause of hair loss. While Propecia blocks DHT very effectively, scientists are still interested in other factors beyond hormones that cause hair loss. Clinical experts in
Dr. Bergfeld, co-founder of the North American Hair Research Society said, “If doctors can understand fully the relationship between iron deficiency and hair loss, then they can help people re-grow hair more effectively. We believe that iron deficiency may be related to many forms of hair loss and that people may need higher levels of iron stores than previously thought to re-grow hair.”
The Cleveland Clinic, before starting a patient on a hair loss treatment program, always screens patients that have hair loss for an iron deficiency. Ferritin, a laboratory test, is sensitive to levels of iron in the body. If an iron deficiency is caught in the early stages, then hair re-growth is much more effective.
Iron supplements can be purchased over-the-counter. Before taking iron supplements, one should talk with their doctor. People with certain medical conditions may not be able to take the supplements. Iron supplements can be taken in conjunction with other hair loss treatments, such as Propecia.
If you are trying to re-grow new hair, ask your doctor to check the iron levels in your body, as well as whether Propecia is right for you. If your iron is low, supplements may help you to re-grow hair. If your iron levels are normal, then you should still consider utilizing Propecia to stop your hair loss right in its tracks.
A New Study of Propecia and Postmenopausal Women
Sunday, December 2nd, 2007Recently a study was conducted in which five postmenopausal women where given a five milligram oral dose of Propecia each day. This study was conducted because there has been extensive research that has positively reported that Finasteride, the main ingredient in Propecia, is effective at treating male pattern hair loss. However, there has not been much research based on women and Propecia. In fact, this has been a very controversial topic that many scientists have not broached.
During the study, the five women were given the oral dose of Finasteride to treat their hair loss. Hair loss in women is not very common, but a small percentage of women do suffer from it. The effects were evaluated through investigative assessments and photographs. The photographs were taken at the baseline at six, twelve, and eighteen months.
During the study, the women experienced a decrease in hair loss, improved scalp hair, an increase in hair regrowth, and an improvement in the overall appearance of the hair. There were not any adverse side effects that were reported by any of the women. This study provided evidence that Propecia is an effective treatment for postmenopausal women suffering from hair loss, allowing these women to not exhibit any signs of hyperandrogenism.
Now, it is still unknown whether or not Propecia will be prescribed to women who suffer from hair loss. It is up to the FDA and the medical community to make this decision. Nonetheless, these findings report good news for women who suffer from hair loss. Hopefully, there will be more studies conducted on this very subject in the near future.