The cause of male hair loss is due primarily to genetic sensitivity to the male sex hormones in the scalp. These hormones shrink the follicles of hair in the scalp to the point where they can no longer grow replacement hair for those lost naturally. The follicles do not die, but are actually still alive yet unable to properly function.

How Can You Treat Male Hair Loss?

Although hair loss in males can be treated by a doctor, due to the fact that it is not caused by a disease, it’s methods of treatment are considered cosmetic and are thus expensive out of pocket procedures. Many of these treatment methods require the individual to have specific factors to determine candidacey. If these factors are not met, the individual will often be denied treatment by this method. Below you will find a list of the different types of treatments available and a description of what is done in that process:

Medication Treatments For Hair Loss In Men

Using medication to treat hair loss in men does not provide permanent results as it is necessary to continue using the treatment method or the results will fade.

• Minoxidil lotion – Common component of the popular brand Rogaine. Originally used to treat high blood pressure, Minoxidil has proven positive results in over 60% of the patients who have used it. The results vary from individual to individual, of course. The treatment procedure includes applying Minoxidil lotion to your scalp twice a day, but unfortunately missing an application or stopping usage of the product will cause the results to wear off.
• Finasteride – The chemical name for the medication Propecia. This is a tablet based hair loss medication that is used to block the male hormones that cause hair loss. Use of Finasteride will halt the hair loss process along with regrowing hair on your scalp in the course of three to six months. Over 80% of patients who use the product receive positive results, but continuous treatment is needed for the results to stay.

Plastic Surgery Treatments For Hair Loss In Men

Unlike medication treatments for hair loss in men, plastic surgery provides permanent results. There are various methods available, but they are all costly and require visiting a specialist.

• Hair Transplant – This procedure moves the hair follicles that are not restricted to the front of the head, replacing the ones that where. There are factors that determine if an individual is a candidate for this procedure or not, so make sure to schedule a consultation first.
• Scalp Reduction – Used specifically to cover the balding spot most men have on the back of their head.
• Flap Surgery – This procedure expands the area of the scalp that contains active hair follicles and is only effective in small areas of hair loss.

The majority of times a vasectomy does give the man back his ability to impregnate his partner however, if your vasectomy was performed 15 years or longer you will have a lower chance of having enough healthy sperm. 

The main thing to remember when you make the decision for reversing a vasectomy is that it does not always work. There is more to do during the surgery, the cost can be expensive from $5,000 to $12,000, and most insurance companies will not cover this type of procedure. 

Preparing for the surgery

Two weeks prior to the surgery do not take any type of aspirin or ibuprofen, which can cause bleeding.
You will have to shave the scrotum prior to surgery and bring an athletic supporter to wear after surgery.
How do you prepare?

What will be done

The tube that takes the sperm from to your testicles will be sewn back or they will be attached to the epididymis. The surgery can take up to four hours but is normally performed on an out patient basis but you still may stay over night. 

There are two types of procedures to reverse a vasectomy – Vasovasostomy and Vasoepididymostomy. With a vasovasostomy, the tubes that carry the sperm will be sewn back in place. However, this surgery may not be possible and the other one may have to be performed. Vasoepididymostomy is performed by attaching the tubes to the epididymis.

The second type of surgery is used when there is blockage and that will not allow the sperm to flow through the tubes. There is no way to tell which surgery will be performed until the operation is under way, at which time, your surgeon will make the all-important decision. In a few cases, both surgeries are possible. One side may receive the vasovasostomy while the other side receives the vasoepididymostomy. 

You will be given anesthesia of some type whether to make you unconscious or a local anesthetic like an epidural or spinal. The surgery is very delicate and you will need to be perfectly still during the process. A microscope is used that will enhance the area around 5 to 20 times in order to view the area and to perform the procedure properly to ensure all is in order. 

A small cut will be done on the bottom of the scrotum, which will allow the surgeon to view the testicle. 

He will then cut open the tube and check the fluid inside with a microscope. This will give the surgeon the information he needs so he will know which type of the two surgeries he needs to perform. 

If sperm is present and the rest of the fluid is clean, the easier surgery will work. 
If there are little or no sperm present and the fluid is thick then the later surgery will need to be done. 

Follow your doctor’s instructions and take it easy for a few days. It will take a few months before sperm appear and the chances of pregnancy usually occur within one year.

Common cancer

Testicular cancer may be rare but in the UK it is the cause of the largest cancer related deaths and is the US it is the most common solid tumor in men ages 15 to 35. 

The best way to ensure that your testicles are healthy is by doing your own tests or exams in the privacy of your home. You should know what your testicles feel like and notice any changes so you can detect problems early. 

The best way to exam your testicles is do the exam while lying a warm bath or during a long shower. The warm water aids in softening the skin of the scrotum so it will be easier to detect the testicles.

Checks

As you are checking your testicles, you should fell for lumps on the skin or inside swelling. You should hold the scrotum and both testicles in the palm of one hand and notice any differences between the testicles. You will more than likely notice that one is a bit larger and hangs a tad lower this in very normal and should not give you a concern. 

Now, check each testicle one at time, while comparing them to each other. You should use both hands and softly roll the testicle between the thumb and forefinger checking for any differences such as swelling or lumps. The testicles should feel smooth; the only place that should not be smooth is the area where the duct is that takes the sperm to the penis. It will naturally not feel smooth.

What you should look for includes a lump, pain or tenderness, discharge from the penis, blood in the sperm when ejaculation occurs, too much fluid in the scrotum, a heavy feeling in the scrotum, a heavy feeling in the groin, an enlargement in the breasts and one testicle has increased in size.

If you do notice any change you should visit your doctor. Once you are at the doctor’s office he will need to perform a physical. The physical will include a blood test that will look for certain indicators that show a presence of cancer. He may also perform an ultrasound. An ultrasound will be able to show if there are any types of abnormalities in the scrotum. If there is a lump, a biopsy will be performed on the lump. The biopsy will let the doctor know what type of cancer is there. Other tests will also be done to ensure the cancer has not spread to other areas of the body. 

The good news is that 95 percent of testicular cancer is treated successfully. The best cure is detecting any problems early so treatment is started and the cancer does not spread.