Hormonal hair loss treatment in Turkey

Why do we lose our hair?

Hair loss has several causes, and the right treatment depends on identifying the right one:

• Temporary shedding (telogen effluvium): diffuse thinning that usually settles within a few months. Common triggers are childbirth, major surgery, chemotherapy or a high fever.
• Seasonal shedding: a mild increase in hair loss in autumn and spring.
• Chronic diffuse hair loss: spread over the whole scalp and linked to thyroid disorders, iron or zinc deficiency, restrictive diets, depression or prolonged stress.
• Damage from hair styling: coloring, perms, straightening or tight hairstyles.
• Genetic predisposition: pattern hair loss often runs in families and depends on hair type and density.

Androgenetic alopecia: What is it?

Androgenetic alopecia is a common form of baldness that affects both men (male pattern baldness) and women (female pattern baldness).

It is characterized by progressive hair loss, which however manifests itself in a different form:

• In men, the loss occurs mainly on the temples and the vertex.
• In women, the front hairline is usually spared and generalized thinning occurs.

The evolution varies significantly from one patient to another, showing that it can be more or less marked and more or less rapid.

Hormonal causes of hair loss

Androgenetic alopecia is driven by hormones and genetics. In people who are genetically predisposed, dihydrotestosterone (DHT),a hormone derived from testosterone, gradually shrinks hair follicles. The hairs become shorter and finer, then stop growing. In most cases this does not mean your hormone levels are abnormal: the follicles are simply more sensitive to androgens.

It affects a large share of men and a significant share of women over a lifetime. In men it typically starts at the temples and the crown. In women it usually shows as diffuse thinning at the parting while the frontal hairline is spared.

In women with irregular periods, acne or excess facial hair, a hormonal check-up (for example for polycystic ovary syndrome) is advisable.

Necessary treatments for androgenetic alopecia

Diagnosis first

A specialist examines your scalp, often with a magnified scalp exam (trichoscopy),and asks about your family history and medications. Blood tests such as ferritin, thyroid function and vitamin D are commonly requested, and hormone tests when indicated, to rule out other causes of hair loss.

Treatment options

• Medication: topical minoxidil, and oral finasteride for men, are the main treatments to slow hair loss and stimulate regrowth. Finasteride is not suitable for women who are or may become pregnant.
• PRP and mesotherapy: sessions that may support density; the evidence is more limited than for medication and results vary.
• Hair transplant: a surgical technique (including no-shave approaches) for advanced hair loss when medication is not enough and the donor area is healthy. Medication is often continued to protect the remaining hair.
• Supportive measures: a balanced diet and correcting any proven deficiency support hair health, but they do not treat androgenetic alopecia on their own.

The choice depends on the diagnosis, the stage and your goals, and is made by the treating doctor.