A research was conducted by Spanish scientists to find out if an enlarged prostate and baldness are linked. The results showed that one condition followed the another.

They found that 34% of the men who were bald were also suffering from enlarged prostate. 23% of men who were going bald experienced a very low urine flow. It was around 32% lower than men who had hair on their head. Having low urine is an indicator of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

This news did not come as a big surprise to most scientists who suspected a link between an enlarged prostate and baldness since a long time. The most common cause of hair loss in men is by high levels of a particular hormone, 5-alpha-reductase. Testosterone is a hormone which is present in males. 5 alpha reductase converts it in to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The follicles are affected adversely and the growth is slowed down, which leads to hair loss. These hair follicles become damaged and therefore fail to replace old hair with new hair growth.

5 alpha reductase is associated with prostate growth also.

Propecia

Finasteride is marketed under the brand name Propecia. It is a FDA approved drug, for the treatment of male pattern baldness. It slows down the rate of hair loss and helps in re-growth of new hair and works best for early to middle degree hair loss in men. It should be used only by men.

This treatment is also helpful in preventing prostate cancer. Studies have shown that it reduces the rate of prostate cancer by 25%.

Clinical trials and studies build a link between both these conditions, enlarged prostate and baldness. The better we understand, the faster we can deal with these problems and prevent them. Early diagnosis helps in early treatment and fast results.