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Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Richard Brown on 06/08/2008 13:29:37

Title: Why do men go bald but women don't?
Post by: Richard Brown on 06/08/2008 13:29:37

Richard Brown asked the Naked Scientists:

Hi Chris,
Woman don't tend to go bald in later life; men do. Why?

Cheers,
Richard
What do you think?

Title: Why do men go bald but women don't?
Post by: Evie on 08/08/2008 18:00:53

From http://menshealth.about.com/cs/hairhairloss/a/baldness.htm/

Quote

The Cause of Male Pattern Baldness
Most men are genetically predisposed to male pattern baldness. It is the effect of hormones on the hair follicle that produces male pattern baldness. Testosterone, a hormone that is present in high levels in males after puberty, is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. DHT has an adverse affect on the hair follicles. Acting on a hormone receptor on the hair follicle it slows down hair production and produces weak, shorter hair, sometimes it stops hair growth from the follicle completely. This process gradually depletes your stock of hair and is normal hair loss.

So, it seems testosterone is the culprit! I was also told by my biology teacher in high school that women have an extra layer of fat in the skin. I have no idea if that's true, but she said that's also why women's skin is softer than men's.

Title: Why do men go bald but women don't?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 08/08/2008 22:57:28

Women may not go completely bald, but they certainly sometimes lose a lot of hair.

Title: Why do men go bald but women don't?
Post by: iko on 08/08/2008 23:30:49

Quote from: DoctorBeaver on 08/08/2008 22:57:28

Women may not go completely bald, but they certainly sometimes lose a lot of hair.

Baldness in men has a typical pattern and specific areas of the scalp.
Hair loss in women is quite different and has different causes.
A case in point is hypothyroidism.

http://www.thymuskinshampoo.com/images/female.jpg

Title: Why do men go bald but women don't?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 08/08/2008 23:42:42

But they do sometimes lose hair.  [:(!]

Title: Why do men go bald but women don't?
Post by: bezoar on 16/08/2008 23:53:13

When women start balding, they usually lose hair all over the head causing a general thinning of the hair, although I have seen some women with male pattern baldness.  Rogaine (Minoxidil) which you can buy over the counter, is effective for stopping further hair loss with some minimal regrowth.  Propecia, a drug originally developed for the prostate, is fairly effective in regrowing lost hair, with an added benefit to the prostate, but you have to get a prescription from the doctor for it.  And the mesomorphic men with lots of hair on their chests are more vulnerable to baldness, if it's in their genetic code.

Title: Why do men go bald but women don't?
Post by: Karen W. on 19/08/2008 13:23:40

I can attest to the thinning hair and hypothyroidism..(Hashimoto's disease for me) My hair has steadily thinned out as my thyroid was not working well and I went through a period of about 2 years where I was losing hair it seemed by the brush loads... It used to be really nice thick hair but fine hair.. Now it is extremely thin and thus the reason I curl it all the time! LOL.. My curlers are important to my heads well being! LOL...

If I part it right down the middle, my right side is way thinner then the left side of my head as far as the hair thickness and growth!.. I am not sure why that is though! On the back and left,you would think it would be thinner, do to rubbing on a pillow all night, but, not on the left and back but... they are the most healthy and thick sections! Those sides are thicker for some reason... although the side I sleep more on is my left and its thicker!

Title: Why do men go bald but women don't?
Post by: poirot on 25/08/2009 22:16:04

And the mesomorphic men with lots of hair on their chests are more vulnerable to baldness, if it's in their genetic code.

I can testify to this....but I find Minoxidil works very well in preventing further loss. For all you shedders out there try www.stopmyhairloss.co.uk for extra strength (5%)minoxidil.  [O8)]

Title: Why do men go bald but women don't?
Post by: Nizzle on 26/08/2009 08:03:38

However,
The testosteron breakdown by reductase does not explain the pattern of hair loss, only the fact that hair is lost.

Any theories about the typical male pattern?
Maybe it has something to do with small local temperature differences due to male pattern brain activity?