How do DHT Blockers work, and why do men with male pattern baldness need one?
5-alpha-reductase is an enzyme in our bodies that converts testosterone to the more potent dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In men extra-sensitive to it, DHT can bind to receptors on cells in their hair follicles. This buildup of DHT then causes the follicle to shrink.
Sometimes the follicle dies, and sometimes it simply becomes unable to nourish its hair and keep it healthy. When the hair dies and falls out, or breaks off, the dead or damaged follicle can’t produce a hair to replace it.
A DHT blocker reduces the activity of the enzyme, so there is less DHT produced, fewer hair follicles damaged, and less loss of hair.
Reducing Hair Loss With a DHT Blocker
There is only one DHT-blocking drug that is approved by the FDA to treat hair loss. It’s called Propecia, which is actually the same drug as Proscar, which is used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate) by blocking DHT production.
When Proscar started being marketed by Merck Labs, it was noted that users were experiencing a reduction of hair loss, and were even seeing growth of new hair. Merck then sought and obtained FDA approval to market Finasteride for treatment of hair loss, and they and began marketing it under the name Propecia to treat male pattern baldness. (The same mechanism, too much DHT, causes, or at least is associated with both enlarged prostates and male pattern baldness.)
Propecia can halt hair loss and even in grow new hair in some men, but not all. There’s a problem, though–there can be side effects, ranging from minor, to rather severe. Impotence, loss of sex drive, low energy, dizziness, and fainting are common side effects. There is also a lot of chatter that the incidence and severity of the side effects is a good deal larger than represented.
Women who are, or who could become pregnant must never use Propecia, as it can cause birth defects.
Fortunately, there are natural, plant-based, substances that can block DHT, and that do it without side effects.
Saw Palmetto is the best-known herbal DHT blocker. It has been shown in dozens, or perhaps hundreds of well-designed studies, to prevent the formation of DHT just as Propecia and other prescriptions do. It’s about as effective, and has far fewer and milder side effects. Actually, side effects are essentially zero.
There is a very interesting and effective product called Provillus for the treatment of male pattern baldness. It works in two different ways. There is a capsule which contains a blend of herbs, vitamins & minerals, including Saw Palmetto, to block the formation of DHT and also to provide nutritional support to hair follicles.
The second part of the Provillus program is the application of dropperful of a solution of Minoxidil, the generic form of Rogaine, to your scalp twice a day. Minoxidil isn’t greasy or obvious, so it’s easy to use without calling attention to the problem. Researchers don’t fully understand how it works, however it’s believed to help increase blood circulation to hair follicles, thus improving their nutrition and health.
Minoxidil is the only FDA-approved hair loss treatment besides Propecia, and it is the only one approved for women. It has a good record of effectiveness.
There is a separate Provillus formula for women who suffer from the female version of male pattern baldness. The Minoxidil part is the same, but the nutrient component is a little different.
Visit DHT Blocker Info website for more information. It’s worth checking out.
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