Male Pattern Baldness

We assign much value to our appearance and correlate it with self-esteem. While healthy and fuller hair can make people look younger, loss of it can make them appear older. Hairfall in men not only affects the outer appearance but also their self-confidence. It can also possibly impact their career and relationships. According to the American Hair Loss Association, around two-thirds of men will begin to suffer from male pattern baldness by the age of 35. Moreover, 85% of the global population will eventually suffer from hair loss by the age of 50.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology, around 80% of cases of hairfall in men have been a result of a family history of hair loss. This condition is also called androgenic alopecia (AA). ‘Androgenetic’ refers to genes, meaning the condition is inherited and ‘alopecia’ refers to hair loss. There are 2 types of AA i.e., male pattern baldness (hair falling men) and female pattern baldness (hair loss in women).

One of the most common misconceptions is that genetic hairfall in men cannot be treated. This is because most people use cosmetic products, anti-hair fall oils and shampoos to treat male pattern hair loss. Hair loss, being a medical problem, needs to be treated with medications and not just superficially. Homeopathy is effective in treating genetic hairfall in men without any side-effects.

Male Pattern Baldness – Symptoms

The most common symptoms of male-pattern baldness are as follows:

• excessive loss of hair;
• hairline receding from the front, that is, temples;
• overall thinning of hair;
• reduction in the density of hair;
• bald patch on top of the scalp;
• partial baldness; and
• complete baldness at a later stage.

Male-pattern baldness, in its early stages, affects the frontal area and vertex (top or crown) of the head. When it spreads over time, the occipital (back of the head) and parietal areas (sides) remain more or less unaltered.

The hair-growth cycle in men with pattern baldness produces shorter and thinner hair with each advancing cycle. This happens under the influence of the hormone dihydrotestosterone.

In simple terms, every time a man’s hair falls out, the new hair that comes up is thinner than the earlier strand; it also does not grow as long and the colour also gets lighter.

In the end, what remains is very thin ‘peach-fuzz’, or fair hair.

Male Pattern Baldness – Causes

Male pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair fall in men. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, more than 50% of all men over 50 years of age will be affected by male pattern baldness to some extent.

The most common cause of male pattern baldness is heredity. Having a family history of hair loss or baldness is an important cause of hair loss in men.

While heredity is a major reason of hair fall in males, it is not the only reason. There are many other factors that are reasons for hair fall in men.

Reasons for Hair Loss in Men

1. Hormonal Changes

Male pattern baldness is associated with the male sex hormones known as androgens. The androgens are responsible for many functions in the body. Regulating hair growth is one of them. Male pattern baldness adversely affects the hair growth cycle. It causes the hair follicles to shrink and produce shorter as well as finer strands of hair. Eventually, the growth cycle for each hair ends and no new hair grows in its place, making it a pivotal cause of hair loss in men. Changes in the thyroid hormone levels can also act as a reason of hair fall in males.

2. Medical Conditions

An important cause of hair fall in men is alopecia areata. It is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles. This results in hair loss in patches. Scalp infections such as ringworm can also be a reason of hair fall in males. The infection can penetrate deep into thehair shaft, cause itching and even cause hair to break off at the surface of the scalp or just above it. A hair-pulling disorder called trichotillomania is also a cause of hair loss in men. This condition causes compulsive urges to pull out hair from the scalp, eyebrows or other areas of the body. Scalp psoriasis can also act as a cause of hair fall in men. The condition doesn’t cause hair loss by itself. But excessive scratching, picking at the scaly spots, harsh treatments and increased stress can lead to temporary hair loss.

3. Supplements and Medicines

Certain ingredients in some medications and supplements can act as a cause of hair loss in men. Medications prescribed for arthritis, cancer, heart problems, depression, high blood pressure and gout may cause hair fall as a side-effect. This occurs because the medicines interfere with the normal cycle of hair growth. When it comes to medications, two types of hair loss can act as a cause of hair fall in men – anagen effluvium and telogen effluvium. Anagen effluvium refers to the hair loss that occurs during the growth phase of the hair. Telogen effluvium causes the hair follicles to prematurely go into the resting phase and fall out early.

4. Poor Nutrition

Nutritional deficiency in men can affect the structure of the hair as well as the growth of the hair. Hence, it is an essential reason of hair fall in males. Sudden weight loss or decreased protein intake can lead to acute telogen effluvium. Deficiency in nutrients like iron, zinc, protein, biotin and vitamins A, B, C and E can affect hair growth and can be a cause of hair loss in men.

5. Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy to the head can destroy the healthy hair cells along with the cancerous cells. Hence, it can be a leading reason of hair fall in males. Radiation therapy may lead to thinning of hair or even complete hair loss in some cases. The degree of hair loss will depend on various factors, including the size of the area being treated as well as the total dose of radiation being given.

6. Hairstyles and Hair Treatments

Hairstyles that pull at the root of the hair can become a cause of hair fall in men. When hairstyles such as tight ponytails, pigtails or cornrows are done very often, it can lead to a type of hair loss known as traction alopecia. Excessive hair treatments such as hot oil treatments, hair straightening and so on can also act as a reason of hair fall in males.

7. Increase in Stress and Anxiety

Many people experience an increase in hair loss after going through a physical or psychological trauma, illness or injury. This can include stress experienced while going through experiences such as the death of a loved one, loss of employment, any major surgery and divorce to name a few. Increased stress can lead to three types of hair loss – telogen effluvium, alopecia areata and trichotillomania. Therefore, extreme stress can act as a cause of hair loss in men. This type of hair loss is often temporary.

Male Pattern Baldness – Diagnosis

Male-pattern baldness is usually diagnosed based on the appearance and pattern of hair loss, along with a detailed medical history, including questions about the prevalence of hair loss in your family.

Male Pattern Baldness – Treatment

Across the world, homeopathy is the preferred hair loss treatment for men, as it has no side-effects and is non-addictive. Homeopathic hair treatment for men is a mind-body medicine that not only treats the physical complaints but also targets the mind and gently restores the mind-body equilibrium. It also provides hairfall solutions for men for stress-related patchy loss of hair, trichotillomania or stress induced hair-shedding.

According to a study by the National Center for Biotechnology, natural ingredients found in homeopathic remedies like Thuja Occidentalis and Sabal Serrulata are effective in male pattern baldness treatment. It has natural DHT (dihydrotestosterone) inhibitors that promote hair regrowth, making homeopathy a proven and effective hair treatment for men.

A personalized approach is the most effective when it comes to hair loss treatment for men.