Do Low-T Treatments Increase Men’s Risk of Hair Loss?
Boca Raton, Florida (PRWEB) December 12, 2015 -- Low testosterone, or low-T, is a big buzzword these days among aging men - but before undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT), one leading medical expert urges them to be evaluated for a possible increased risk of hair loss.
HRT is an exciting field that offers both male and female patients the opportunity to feel more youthful, healthy, energetic and sexually active as they age. In recent years, the demand among men has increased considerably for HRT, specifically as a treatment for low testosterone levels. Researchers have found that one-quarter of all men may suffer from low-T, which can leave millions of aging men with low libido, erectile dysfunction, lethargy, depression, bone weakening and other health issues.
While androgen replacement therapy using testosterone--the treatment for low-T--is effective at reversing this condition, it may put men, and even some women, at a higher risk for another unwanted sign of aging: accelerated hereditary hair loss. In the body, testosterone is naturally converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the well known primary trigger for hereditary pattern hair loss.
Alan J. Bauman, M.D., a leading international hair restoration physician and researcher, will lecture on the potential connection between low-T androgen replacement therapy and male pattern hair loss on December 13th at the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine’s 23rd annual conference in Las Vegas. His talk, entitled “Hair Loss and Hormone Replacement: Stratagems for Managing Androgenetic Alopecia in the Presence of Androgen Replacement,” will be focused on how androgen replacement therapy may trigger, or speed up hair loss in patients who are androgen sensitive and offer guidelines for patients, age-management physicians and others who prescribe HRT.
Not all men may be concerned about hair loss, but for those that are, it’s important that they address the issue before accelerated hair loss occurs.
Three Steps for Preventing Hair Loss During Low-T Therapy
• Risk Assessment - Family history, signs of hair loss, dermoscopy, and genetic testing are some of the indicators used to determine one’s hair loss risk. New diagnostic tools and monitoring methods, such as trichometry measurements (HairCheck®), and scalp microscopic photos, are also used during a risk assessment prior to treating patients with androgen replacement.
• Treatment Options – Finateride, dutasteride, and nutraceuticals can be used to block the effects of androgen. There are also many preventative treatment options available for patients, such as minoxidil, bimatoprost, laser therapy, and PRP (platelet rich plasma). For patients looking for permanent results, hair transplantation through no scalpel/no-stitch harvesting with NeoGraft FUE or the ARTAS robotic-assisted hair transplantation technique can provide natural-looking, permanent results.
• Tracking and Follow-Up – As with any medical treatment, progress should be monitored to ensure optimal results. Hair growth can be tracked through cross-section bundle trichometry and hair caliber and density measurements, if patient isn’t achieving optimal results, treatment regimen can be adjusted accordingly.
While some male patients may have a higher risk for hair loss, Dr. Bauman urges them not to be dissuaded from undergoing low-T therapy and those being treated not to discontinue therapy until they've talked to a hair restoration specialist. “Low-T therapy has a variety of very positive health benefits for male patients, so men shouldn’t let this potential side-effect discourage them from seeking or continuing treatment,” Dr. Bauman said. “Instead, I would encourage all patients and the healthcare providers offering HRT to be aware of the potential side-effect and take the appropriate steps ahead of time to prevent it. There are a wide array of preventive treatments available that can ensure men will have the best chance at maintaining a healthy head of hair throughout the course of low-T treatment, even if they are more genetically predisposed to hair loss.”
New England Research Institute suggests that by 2025 as many as 6.5 million men in the U.S. between 30 and 79 could be suffering from low-T. With the number of men afflicted steadily increasing, it is more important than ever for anti-aging doctors and age-management practitioners to understand the risks of hair loss, be familiar with treatment stratagems and collaborate with hair restoration specialists if need be.
Today, there are many effective preventative treatments available for men undergoing hormone replacement therapy that includes testosterone, including nutraceuticals, topical medications, oral medications, low level laser therapy, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), FUE hair transplantation. There are also new diagnostic tools and monitoring methods that can help identify and assess a patient’s risk for hair loss, which include genetic tests, trichometry measurements (HairCheck®), and scalp microscopic photos.
The bottom line is, while certain hormone therapy may put men at an increased risk of hair loss, if proper preventative measures are started early, a significant amount of hair loss can be avoided.
For patients or doctors who are interested in learning more about Dr. Bauman, and Bauman Medical Group, or to make an appointment, visit http://www.baumanmedical.com or call 1-877-BAUMAN-9 or 561-394-0024. For those interested in learning more about the medical management of hair loss, and how to identify those at risk, Dr. Bauman offers a 3-day Healthy Hair Workshop, visit http://www.healthyhairworkshop.com.
About Dr. Alan J. Bauman:
Alan J. Bauman, M.D. is a full-time hair transplant surgeon who has treated over 17,000 patients and performed over 7,000 hair transplant procedures since starting his hair loss practice, Bauman Medical Group, in 1997 located in Boca Raton, FL.
Dr. Bauman received his M.D. degree from New York Medical College and surgical residency training at Mt. Sinai Medical Center and Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. Dr. Bauman is one of approximately 100 physicians worldwide to achieve board certification from the esteemed American and International Board of Hair Restoration Surgery. He is a Fellow of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, and is an active participant and lecturer at numerous Annual Scientific Meetings and Live Surgery Workshops.
Dr. Bauman is an author of textbook chapters on the science of hair care and hair transplantation, including eyelash transplant surgery, and has been extensively featured in the world’s leading media as a medical expert and successful early-adopter of some of the most advanced technologies in the treatment of hair loss such as laser therapy and NeoGraft FUE hair transplantation.
Dr. Alan Bauman has appeared in print, radio and television as a medical expert and successful early-adopter of the most advanced technologies in the treatment of hair loss. Appearances, interviews and profiles include the Today Show, The Early Show, Good Morning America, Extra, Access Hollywood and Dateline NBC among other TV appearances. Newspaper and Magazine articles and feature stories include The New York Times, Newsweek, Cosmo, Vogue, Allure, O – The Oprah Magazine and Men’s Health among others.
About the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine:
As a federally registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization, the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) is the world's largest non-profit scientific society of physicians and scientists dedicated to the advancement of technology to detect, prevent, and treat aging related disease and to promote research into methods to retard and optimize the human aging process.
A4M offers exclusive membership to all medical professionals where they gain access to over two-decades of established medical expertise. We are also dedicated to educating physician and scientists and are proud to be in our 23rd year of providing first-class continuing education conferences on anti-aging, regenerative and functional medicine. To further demonstrate our commitment to the future of medicine, the shared responsibility for patient outcomes and transforming health education through innovation, we offer Board Certification and numerous educational programs and events offered throughout the year.
Janet Shoup, Bauman Medical Group, +1 (828) 424-0983, [email protected]
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