Category: Hair Loss Causes

I came across this web site that says soy and saw palmetto can interact with finasteride. I am wondering if they can potentially exacerbate side effects, as I experienced side effects b/c of Propecia and I was on both of those (and still am on soy).

Also, I’ve heard quercetin, which is found in citrus fruits, broccoli, green tea, red onions, red grapes, etc. utilizes the same enzyme that metabolizes Propecia, thereby increasing serum levels of the drug and leading to potentially more side effects. I also started green tea when I started Propecia. What do you make of this?

Much of what you are talking about reflects unsubstantiated claims. There have been mentions about soy isoflavones interfering with some medications, but I don’t believe that the connections you referenced are one to one with regard to the side effects. The mechanism of action of saw palmetto is not clearly defined but there is probably an impact on reducing some of the effects of DHT according to at least one reference I read. You can experiment on your own by stopping the soy and seeing if there is any difference (I am assuming that you are experiencing side effects).

Your logic may be flawed with regard to quercetin competing with 5AR. The human body knows how to regulate the byproducts of metabolism and can increase the amount of 5AR if it’s feedback suggested a shortage of it. I am afraid that you are oversimplifying the biochemistry here.

(female) I am very interested to read about a woman on here who had been diagnosed with diffuse alopecia from taking the yasmin birth control pill-I am experiencing the same sort of situation having lost 30/40% of the bulk of my hair during the two yrs I was acutally on yasmin, now, nearly 6 months after quitting the pill I have lost around 65% of the bulk of my hair, the hair loss worsening since stopping.

I would be so grateful if you could clarify-what is the difference between diffuse alopecia and TE? It has been nearly 6 months since the hair on the top of my head has fallen, leaving my scalp very visible under any sort of light-is there frequently this sort of delay in hair regrowth if the problem is TE? I notice in the reply that you comment if all other things have been tested and considered (for me, they have) then you ‘may’ see regrowth within 2-6 months…

Thanks in advance for your response.

Diffuse alopecia means a “uniform hair loss”. The term does not point to a cause. Telogen effluvium refers to a temporary loss of hair that is uniformly lost as it goes into the telogen phase of its hair cycle. Please read the below references, as they discuss the various causes for TE:

• Wikipedia
• eMedicine
• DermNet

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Do the following NEGATIVELY impact hair growth?

1. alcohol use – In excess, yes.
2. marijuana use – Possibly.
3. tobacco use – Possibly.
4. high salt diet – I would doubt it.
5. diet high in preservatives – I don’t know.
6. high fat diets, red meat – I doubt it, but there are unsubstantiated claims that blame red meat.
7. use of dietary supplements like multivitamins – No.
8. over intake of certain vitamins – Yes.

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Do the following have POSITIVE impacts on hair health?

1. head massage – No.
2. other techniques for increased blood flow to head – Nope.
3. healthy diet, if so what foods are important to eat and which to avoid? – You should have a balanced diet.
4. use of dandruff shampoos – No, sir.
5. use of any particular shampoo or conditioner – No impact.
6. vigorous exercise – No.
7. any activity that promotes increased cardiovascular health – Nope.
8. use of dietary supplements (vitamins and minerals) – No impact in moderation.

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Overdoing self-manipulation (masturbation) converts too much testosterone into dihydrotestosterone(DHT). High levels of DHT overload the body causing baldness and possible prostate enlargement if blood circulation is poor in the prostate area causing a build-up of the compound. Reducing the frequency of your self gratification will help maintain low levels of DHT and avoid hair loss.

Im sorry Dr. Rassman but i study biology and im interested in hair loss and there is mountains of evidence to prove it. You dont even need evidence, its common sense. And heres why. If castration stops you from going bald, then anything that can get as close to the castration effect, to the point of almost castration such as no sex, masturbation, no erections, clearly DHT levels will be incredibly reduced.

Some people know just enough to be dangerous. Whether you decide to masturbate or not, your testicles will put out testosterone which will be converted to DHT. Nothing you can do short of real castration will stop that process and I am not recommending that you get yourself castrated.

If the way you love your life makes you happy, by all means do not masturbate as there is nothing in that act that is necessary for maintenance of your health. To everyone else, there is no connection between masturbation and hair loss. If you believe the old wives’ tales, I’m not going to change your mind. I haven’t been successful in the previous messages about this, and I doubt this will change your tune. I think that you have exhausted this subject.

Is it normal to lose a few hairs from one’s mustache each day ?

Hair, even in the mustache, does go through cycling, so some loss each day is normal provided that it is not so great as to cause defects in your facial hair.

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Hey Doctor Rassman.

I notice you get quite a few celebrity hairline questions so i figured I would add one more to it!

I was wondering if you could tell me from the pictures provided what kind of hairline does country artist Keith Urban have? I ask because my hairline looks very similar….as i’m sure u can see he has a very large forehead (as do I) and it looks like he has receded on the sides (Mine isnt receded past the sides like his but it is mature, always has been) but it looks very clear that he isn’t balding because he still has alot of hair! and those short hair pics are from almost ten years ago!

Just thought it to be an interesting question, and I hope to get your opinion.

Here are the links: photos and side view photo

I’m not a country music fan, but I knew he looked familiar. Someone on my staff reminded me that Keith Urban is married to actress Nicole Kidman, so chances are I’ve seen his face on the cover of People Magazine in the lobby of my office. The reason that’s important to note is that even though he’s a musician, he doesn’t seem to be the type to tour in a van. He’s married to an A-list actress, so chances are pretty good that he has a personal stylist.

At any rate, his hairline looks fine to me, but you never really know how much of it is the illusion created by his stylists. It could just be that his current look is hiding the high corners with big strands of hair falling in front or he could’ve had work done (though I doubt that). I’d say he has an early Norwood Class 3 that appears to be very stable with a persistent forelock. His long hair makes it very difficult to really draw any conclusions.