Hair Loss In Men

What is male hair loss (male pattern baldness/androgenic alopecia)?

Male hair loss is the most common type of hair loss. It is caused by increased sensitivity to male sex hormones (androgens) in certain parts of the scalp, and is passed on from generation to generation.

Hair loss can occur from various reasons such as excessive weight gain or loss in a short period of time, recovering from a high fever, taking anti-cancer medications, lacking of iron, and from over-or under-productive thyroid gland.

In general, though, most cases of male hair loss are not due to an illness or a medical condition. Male pattern baldness affects over 20 million men in the United States. Twenty-five percent of men begin to go bald by age thirty. By age sixty, 66% of men are bald.

In the past, baldness was often seen as something undesirable. However, this attitude has changed over the years and these days a buzz-cut head is usually considered both fashionable and attractive. Additionally, nowadays there are many solutions for men hair loss.

Causes Of Male Hair Loss?

Some men have areas on the scalp that are very sensitive to the male sex hormones. The hormones make the hair follicles - from which hair grows - shrink. Eventually, they become so small that they cannot replace lost hairs. The follicles are still alive, but are no longer able to perform their task. That is the cause of male hair loss.

The condition usually starts in men aged 20 to 30 and follows by a typical pattern. First, a receding hairline develops, and gradually the hair on top of the head also begins to thin. Eventually, the two balding areas meet to form a typical U-shape around the back and sides of the head. The hair that remains is often finer, and does not grow as quickly as it used to.

How To Prevent Hair Loss In Men?

Male hair loss is genetically determined (passed on from previous generations). Although a doctor can offer medical treatment to improve the condition, some treatments may have side effects.

What Men Should Do About Hair Loss?

There are many ways to deal with men hair loss. First, you can leave your hair as it is. Hair loss in men is not bad, but it is socially acceptable. Second, you can shave it off completely. Third, you can use some medical treatments to stop hair loss and regrow lost hair.

There are 2 approved medications that can treat balding.

1. Minoxidil helps slow the balding in most men. It may work best in men in their twenties and thirties who are just beginning to bald. It may take almost a year to find out how effective this medication works. The ongoing treatments can be costly and if treatment is stopped, hair loss will start again. This medication stops hair loss for 10 percent of men.

2. Finasteride blocks the action of a form of testosterone that appears to cause hair loss. It stops hair loss in over 80 percent of men, and starts new hair growth in about 50 percent. It may take over a year to see results. Hair growth may stop and balding would resume if the finasteride is discontinued.