Progesterone Therapy for Hair Loss

The term “hair loss” or “alopecia” refers to the medical condition of the loss of hair from the head or body. Hair loss is a natural body process, when some hair falls out, new growth replaces it. Permanent hair loss occurs when hair loss cannot be reversed, resulting in thinning hair or baldness in any hairy region of the body. Abnormal hair loss can be due to many different causes, including stress, medication, disturbance in hormonal levels and sleeping disorder. Today, many alternative treatments are receiving acclaim in the treatment of hair loss, including progesterone therapy 1.

Causes of Hair Loss

The most common form of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia or baldness. Skin disease is a major contributor of hair loss on the scalp, the integument of the head and sometimes elsewhere on the body. Premature baldness can be caused by inadequate nutrition. Nutrient deficiencies can cause sudden increase in hair fall. The condition of hair loss could also result from certain health problems, such as thyroid disease. Since hormones stimulate hair growth and hair fall, fluctuations in hormone levels have much impact on hair loss.

Progesterone

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Progesterone is a sex hormone secreted by the female reproductive system, chiefly by the ovaries in the second two weeks of the menstrual cycle 1. Progesterone is crucial to the health of everyone regardless of sex or age 1. It regulates menstrual cycle in women. In fact, progesterone can be used to correct physiological changes that occur in menstrual cycle 1.

Significance of Progesterone in Hair Loss

Progesterone is an important hormone produced by the female body 1. Progesterone also serves as a precursor in the production of other important hormones, including estrogen and cortisone 1. Progesterone-based hormone therapies can also be effective in treating hair loss 1. Progesterone inhibits an enzyme, 5-alpha reductase 1. Progesterone prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone or DHT that is a biologically active metabolite in the body 1. DHT is considered to be responsible for damaging hair follicles and an important factor in hair loss.

Mechanism

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Progesterone is a natural inhibitor of 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme in steroid metabolism 1. A rich source of 5aR or 5-alpha reductase is found in human scalp hair follicles. Progesterone works by reducing dihydrotestosterone or DHT through blocking 5-alpha-reductase 1. The hormone must consistently fight against the 5-alpha-reductase. The production of DHT can be resumed, if the treatment discontinues.

Progesterone Cream

A variety of hair loss products are available at pharmacies, health food stores and online that incorporate progesterone as the main ingredient 1. Progesterone cream is an effective treatment for hair loss 1. It is manufactured from soy. Progesterone cream is easy to use and a good remedy for hair loss and quick hair growth 1. Men can also get benefit from progesterone cream 1.