Last week on The Online Clinic health blog we reported a new government initiative to make men over the age of forty aware that forty percent of them would suffer from Erectile Dysfunction after reaching that age. The initiative was based on a survey of men’s health concerns that highlighted the fact that men were not aware of potential risks to their health or how to recognise them. These risks included prostate problems, cardiovascular disease and Type 2 Diabetes. The report did not, however, refer to the health issue which men were most concerned about over the age of forty. What was it you may ask? The answer was hair loss.
The August edition of the Harvard Health letter has reported that the news for those suffering from hair loss is both good and bad in equal measures. No new drugs have been approved for the treatment of hair loss since 1997, more than a decade, which may seem surprising if one takes into consideration the fact that men are so concerned about it. It states that the most effective treatment for the condition is a hair transplant, though unfortunately for hair loss sufferers, this is also the most expensive treatment. The journal reports that transplants are improving yearly due to improved surgical techniques.
There are two drugs currently approved for the treatment of male pattern baldness, one is minoxidil (Regaine) and the other is finasteride (Propecia). Both of these drugs slow hair loss or re-grow hair. Propecia has been shown to have better results than Regaine, but it is more expensive. In order to see benefits the medication needs to be kept being taken if the benefits gained are to be sustained.
Several new drugs are being developed for the treatment of hair loss. One of these treats the health of the hair follicle to make it live for longer. The other drug being developed is a topical cream that will actually activate the follicles and cause them to generate new hair. So the future looks promising after a number of years without any major developments.