Androgenetic alopecia: male and female hair loss
Hair loss in men and women is called androgenetic alopecia, and it becomes common as everyone ages. It is caused by the hormone testosterone and converted into a molecule called DHT. This change causes the hair follicles to shrink and hair loss. Men have more testosterone than women, so baldness is more common in men.
Saw Palmetto and Hair Loss
There are many treatments for hair loss. Saw Palmetto extract is an alternative therapy used to treat hair loss. It is a plant with small berries that has been used as medicine and food by Native Americans for hundreds of years. There is evidence that this herbal therapy can treat an enlarged prostate.
It is also used to treat:
● Hair loss
● Bladder infection
● Prostate cancer
● Loss of libido
Research on whether saw palmetto is effective in treating hair loss is limited, but the prospects are promising. Saw palmetto extract can block 5-α-reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT. DHT is a molecule that causes hair loss and is also involved in prostatic hypertrophy. Researchers hope it can also slow or stop hair loss. In fact, the enzyme-blocking saw palmetto component works in a similar way to the synthetic components in prescription drugs for hair loss.
A study showed that the treatment of male hair loss with topical saw palmetto and 10% Trichogen veg anti-hair loss complex was positive. After four months of treatment, nearly half of the 25 subjects had a 11.9% increase in hair count.
Side effects and interactions
Saw palmetto is generally considered safe, but it is not recommended for children, pregnant women and breastfeeding women. Rare side effects include mild headache and stomach pain. You can avoid stomach irritation by taking the extract with food. Interactions may occur between saw palmetto extract and some other drugs. Because it has been shown to thin the blood, saw palmetto should not be taken at the same time as other blood thinners. Especially with prescription drugs such as aspirin and warfarin cannot be taken at the same time.
