title: Medical treatment of baldness.
abstract: The etiology of male-pattern alopecia is explained as an interrelationship of three factors, genetic--a single dominant sex-limited gene; endocrine--dihydrotestosterone is the specific hormone responsible; and age. Other factors previously used to explain male-pattern alopecia are debunked. Treatment today is directed in the area of endocrinology, basically using either antiandrogens that block 5-alpha-reductase, thus preventing the formation of dihydrotestosterone, or steroids that interfere with dihydrostestosterone cytosol--nuclear binding protein expression.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000505:Alopecia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D003534:Cyproterone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006915:Hydroxytestosterones / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011374:Progesterone / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D006915:Hydroxytestosterones; D011374:Progesterone; D003534:Cyproterone