Hair loss and thinning hair? Most often it's due to androgenic alopecia (pattern hair loss). There are hair loss treatments that can inhibit DHT production thus causing less thinning hair and possibly stopping male pattern hair loss all together.

Male pattern hair loss (or male pattern baldness) is the most common form of hair loss or thinning hair. The actual term for this condition is Androgenic Alopecia and can effect both males and females at any point after puberty. In "male pattern hair loss" as the hair recedes usually an "M" shape begins to become evident. Hair in the crown generally begins to thin also. Hair in the crown and along the hairline begins to become thinner with age.

The most widely accepted explanation for male pattern hair loss is the DHT theory. DHT stands for dihydrotestosterone, a by product of testosterone created by the enzyme 5 Alpha-Reductase. During puberty, high levels of DHT in the body are normal and aid in the development of secondary sexual characteristics. Later, in life however, high levels of DHT can have negative effects on hair health. Essentially, DHT will attach itself to the hair follicle depriving it of nutrition and causing atrophy (shrinking), and eventually the follicle will fall out.

So, what can be done about this? There are several products (both natural and man-made) that attempt to block DHT production thus reducing the occurance of thinning hair and hair loss. Saw palmetto (the primary ingredient in Hair Genesis) has recently been proven to among the most effective natural DHT blockers. In fact, the makers of Hair Genesis published a study in the April 2002 Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine which shows just how effective all natural DHT inhibitors can be. Click here for full text.