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How
might progesterone treat androgenetic alopecia
Progesterone is a naturally occurring steroid made in the ovaries
and a member of the progestin family of hormones. The drug compounds
available are synthetically made, but are similar in function to
naturally produced hormones. Studies show that progestins are easily
metabolized. Much of what is taken in pill form is broken down before
it can be effective. As a result, quite high doses of progestins
are available. Two to four hours after ingestion, progestin concentration
in the blood stream reaches its peak. Progesterone is metabolized
primarily by the liver and is excreted in the urine.
Progesterone and medroxyprogesterone transform a proliferative
endometrium into a secretory endometrium. The natural hormone and
synthetic supplements exert significant antiproliferative effects
on the endometrium and suppresses endometrial mitotic activity through
suppression of nuclear estradiol receptors, reduction of epithelial
and stromal DNA synthesis and induction of 17b-estradiol dehydrogenase
and isocitric dehydrogenase.
Progestins also have anticancer properties. The mode of anticancer
action by progestins probably involves an indirect action on the
hypothalamic-pituitary. Progestins may inhibit gonadotrophin releasing
hormone release as well as having a direct action resulting in the
inhibition of cellular proliferation, estrogen receptor development,
and metabolism of steroids at the tissue level.
Progesterone is available as a manufactured drug from many companies.
Progesterone is the generic name for the brand name drugs Cyclogest
made by LD Collins, UK, Prometrium made by Schering in Germany,
Prometrium made by Solvay Pharmaceuticals, USA, Utrogestan made
by Besins-Iscovesco, France and many more. It comes in a wide variety
of formats as capsules, vaginal creams and suppositories.
Medroxyprogesterone is a synthetic derivative of progesterone.
It is also called Methylacetoxyprogesterone or Metipregnone. These
are generic names for the brand name drugs Depo-Provera and Provera
made by Pharmacia and Upjohn, USA, Amen made by Carnrick, Curretab
made by Solvay and many other generic manufacturers. It comes in
a variety of formats, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 100 mg tablets and 50
mg/mL (250 mg/5 mL vials), 100 mg/mL (400 mg/4 mL vials) and 150
mg/mL (495 mg/3.3 mL and 1005 mg/6.7 mL vials) injectable suspensions.
Progesterone is a competitive inhibitor of 5 alpha reductase so
it has the potential to block production of dihydrotestosterone(DHT).
Only one small study has been conducted to examine the effects of
topical progesterone on androgenetic aloepcia. The results indicated
some benefit in stopping further hair loss but significant regrowth
did not occur.
Despite the limited clinical trial results, some dermatologists
in Europe do use topical progesterone to treat androgenetic alopecia.
They typically use a 1% or 2% topical concentration of progesterone,
with a maximum exposure limit of 40mg a day. It has been suggested
that higher doses resulted in menstrual irregularities in women
using topical progesterone.
How
might progesterone treat androgenetic alopecia references
- van
der Willigen AH, Peereboom-Wynia JD, van Joost T, Stolz E. A preliminary
study of the effect of 11a-hydroxyprogesterone on the hair growth
in men suffering from androgenetic alopecia. Acta Derm Venereol.
1987;67(1):82-5.
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