Filipino dads, pimples and baldness.

[Doc Alan]

The common factor is androgens ( "male" hormones - actually produced in males and females in differing amounts ). A study just published, and reported widely in the media, looked at over 600 young filipinos before and after they became dads. Their levels of the main androgen ( testosterone ) fell, and this was thought to make them more family orientated. Testosterone normally increases a man's sex drive and helps him compete for a mate.
Pimples ( acne ) result from the effects of androgens on the skin, allowing a bug ( Propionibacterium acnes ) to grow. There's no ideal treatment. Antibiotics ( oral or locally applied ) may work, as may oral contraceptives in women. Other local ( topical ) treatments like isoretinoin are available. Dietary factors ( chocolate etc ) are not proven.
Male-pattern baldness is also related to androgens ( DHT = dihydrotestosterone ). Genes for baldness are on the X chromosome, which is why women don't often go bald. DHT may also cause prostate enlargement or even cancer ( but not just in bald men ). Anti-androgens ( like finasteride ) may cause hair growth temporarily. Recently, injecting stem cells in mice has stimulated hair follicles , raising the possibllity that this could work in humans. Cheaper than hair transplants, but passport photos would need to be changed and shampoo would once more be needed ..... http://www.pnas.org/content/early/20...4-a78d259a016e

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/la...321-8/abstract

http://www.economist.com/blogs/babba.../09/baldness-0

[Arthur Little]

Mmm ... interesting! I've often wondered if there is any element of truth in the "theory" that baldness is a sign of virility ... ...

[Arthur Little]

... or is the rootless cause more likely to "stem" from frequent contact with the headboard?

[grahamw48]

Wouldn't mind getting the chance to find out.

[imagine]

i went bald in my early 20s, and quite happy that way, and think of all the dosh iv saved on shampoo

[sars_notd_virus]

Testosterone normally increases a man's sex drive

I have no doubt, my husand is bald and sexy

[Moy]

[Doc Alan]

It's a shame the original articles on filipino dads - and pimples - are not available in full without paying . I usually trust journals such as Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences and The Lancet, because they don't publish until approved by experts. Too often we're left with how the media interpret these studies ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14880055 ). The work on filipino dads was done at University of San Carlos, Cebu City. It needs confirming in other studies, but it does add to what we already know about androgens regulating sex drive (and hair growth ).
It might surprise members to know that " male " and " female " hormones are normally produced in both sexes. We have learned a lot from cancers and benign ( non-cancerous ) tumours which may produce hormones unexpectedly / " inappropriately " ( masculinizing females or feminizing males for example ) .... but that's going off-topic .