Male Pattern Baldness

Male pattern baldness is different than female pattern baldness. In male pattern hair loss, one of two things happens. Hair either begins to recede from the forehead and moves back from there, or hair loss begins on the crown of the head and spreads out in a circle. In female pattern baldness, hair begins to thin out all over the head. The differences in the patterns of baldness between the two genders are believed to be caused by different mechanisms causing the hair loss.

The Cause of Male Pattern Baldness

The cause of male pattern hair loss is most often something called androgenic alopecia. Androgens are hormones that interfere with hair growth. Testosterone, androsteinedione, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are all androgens. Women have small amounts of these hormones, but men have them in far great quantities.

When testosterone comes into contact with certain enzymes in hair cells, it is converted to DHT. The DHT then binds with receptor cells in the hair follicles. Over time, the build up of DHT blocks new hair from growing from the follicles. The hair follicles eventually shrink and become unable to produce new hairs.

Androgenic alopecia is often hereditary, meaning that some men are genetically predisposed to it while others are not. That explains why some men develop male pattern baldness and others do not, even though all men have testosterone and other androgens in their bodies.

Male pattern hair loss due to androgenic alopecia can be treated with topical treatments such as Rogaine, which opens the shrunken hair follicles, or with oral medications such as Propecia, which blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT.

Other Causes of Male Hair Loss

There are a number of other things that can cause hair loss in men, but they do not usually cause male pattern baldness. Instead of causing male pattern hair loss, they generally cause thinning of the hair all over the head.

Surgery can cause temporary hair loss. This is due to a reaction to the anesthesia. Hair will regrow within a couple of months, and no treatment is needed.

Many different medical conditions can cause hair loss, including cancer, kidney and liver disease, some autoimmune diseases, thyroid disorders, uncontrolled diabetes, and Cushings disease. Treating the underlying illness will resolve the hair loss, but if the condition is difficult to control, a hair loss treatment may be needed. Topical treatments are generally most effective in this situation.

A number of medications can cause hair loss as well. These include cancer drugs, beta-blockers, lithium, and heparin. Discontinuing the medications will resolve the hair loss, but these are medications that often cannot be safely discontinued, as they are used to treat serious illnesses. (Do NOT stop taking any medication without talking to your doctor first). Instead, hair loss can be treated with a hair loss treatment. Again, a topical treatment is most likely to be effective.

Coping with Male Pattern Baldness

Coping with male pattern hair loss can be difficult for some men. They may feel unattractive and may withdraw from social situations. While as many as 40% of men notice some hair loss by age 35, many men do not expect to have hair loss until they are much older. Therefore they are unprepared for hair loss when it does occur and feel old before their time.

Men are also unsure of how to go about treating hair loss. They may feel embarrassed to ask their doctor about it. They are unsure what treatments are available and which ones are effective.

Men should know that hair loss is not uncommon, that they are not alone, and that effective treatment is out there.

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