Certainly, when it comes to male pattern baldness, people often wonder why it affects men and not women, right? The emergence of male pattern baldness is not just a cosmetic issue; it poses challenges to psychological health and confidence as well. There are numerous reasons and factors contributing to why men experience male pattern baldness, from genetic predisposition to overall health conditions. So, would you like to know why? Let’s explore the reasons and discover specialized treatments for it together. Keep scrolling!
What is male pattern baldness?
Male pattern baldness is a prevalent condition affecting men. It is characterized by hair loss following a distinctive pattern, typically starting from the forehead and crown, creating a bald or thinning area.
What age do men go bald? Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenic alopecia, is a common condition that typically starts in the 20s and 30s, with many men experiencing some degree of hair loss by the age of 50 baldness tends to progress over time and can impact many adult men, with approximately 50% of men experiencing it by the age of 50 and 70% by the age of 70. This condition occurs when hair follicles on the scalp shrink and weaken, leading to hair loss.
A study Male Hair Loss( 2019-2023) analyzing data from 10,000 men aged 20 to 80, aimed to evaluate patterns in male hair loss over the period from 2019 to 2023. The data were derived from health surveys conducted across various healthcare facilities. The findings reveal a notable 10% surge in the prevalence of male hair loss during the specified timeframe. Specifically, hair loss rates among men aged 20-29 have increased from 15% to 20%, those in men aged 30-39 have risen from 25% to 30%, and individuals aged 40-49 have experienced an escalation from 35% to 40%.
What causes hair loss in men?
If you observe thinning hair or a receding hairline while your friends seem unaffected, it’s natural to question the reason. In fact, there are two main causes of baldness in men:
- Genetic factors: Male pattern baldness is a hereditary condition, meaning it is passed from parents to their children. If your father or brother has male pattern baldness, you are more likely to experience it.
- Hormones: A hormone called testosterone may play a role in male pattern baldness. Testosterone is converted into another hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can weaken hair follicles and lead to hair loss.
While male pattern baldness is a significant contributor to hair loss in men, it’s not the sole cause. Conditions related to the immune system, such as alopecia areata, can result in the body mistakenly attacks healthy hair follicles, leading to hair loss.
Additionally, hair loss in men can be attributed to various factors, including:
- Traumatic life events
- Unmanaged stress
- Significant weight loss
- Surgical procedures
- Illness
Insufficient intake of iron, protein, and vitamin D in your diet can also elevate the risk of hair loss. Moreover, certain medications like chemotherapy, acne medications, and immunosuppressants may induce temporary hair loss.
How To Know If You Bald
Experiencing more hair loss than usual is the most common symptom. You may notice increased hair shedding during shampooing, hair brushing, or simply running your fingers through your hair.
Gradual thinning of hair: When hair loss is significant, the hair starts to thin in certain areas on the scalp. Thinning may become apparent on the forehead, temples, crown, or the top of the head.
Receding hairline: The hairline, which separates the hair from the scalp, may be pulled back when experiencing substantial hair loss, forming an M, U, or O-shaped pattern.
Thinning and weakened hair: Excessive hair loss often leads to thin and weakened strands. The hair may become prone to breakage, and split ends, and be difficult to style.
In addition, you might encounter other symptoms of hair loss, such as:
- Itching or scalp irritation
- Pain or swelling of the scalp
- Dandruff or scalp inflammation
- Fatigue or weakness
How to treat baldness in men
Medication
Minoxidil
Minoxidil, a topical medication for male pattern baldness, aims to slow hair loss and encourage regrowth over 4 to 12 months. Ceasing the medication may result in resumed hair loss. Users might encounter side effects like scalp dryness, irritation, and burning. Severe reactions such as irregular heartbeat or chest pain require prompt medical attention.
Finasteride
Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) is a more potent medication than Minoxidil, effectively slowing male pattern baldness by inhibiting the production of the hormone responsible for hair loss. However, stopping finasteride use leads to hair loss recurrence. Results from finasteride treatment for male pattern baldness become evident within 3 to 12 months. Side effects may include itching, rash, chest tightness, breast enlargement, facial or lip swelling, pain during ejaculation, testicular pain, and erectile dysfunction.
Surgery
Hair transplant surgery is a commonly used treatment method for male pattern baldness. In this procedure, healthy hair follicles are harvested from a donor area on the scalp and transplanted into the balding region.
Strip Harvesting (FUT)
FUT involves separating a strip of scalp with healthy hair follicles and transplanting it into the balding area. This strip of scalp is then divided into hundreds of small grafts and implanted into sections of the scalp where hair is not growing.
Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
With FUE, the surgeon extracts individual healthy hair follicles from the scalp, creating small incisions in areas experiencing hair loss, and transplanting the follicles into these sites. This allows for even hair growth across the entire scalp.
Laser treatment
Low-level laser therapy can be utilized to enhance circulation on the scalp and stimulate hair follicles. Although this is a relatively new treatment method, laser therapy has been proven to be safe and applicable
Can baldness in men be prevented?
Male pattern baldness typically originates from genetic factors, making it challenging to reverse. However, when noticing signs of thinning hair, one can potentially slow down the process through the following methods:
Scalp Massage
This method promotes blood circulation, stimulating hair follicles. When massaging, it’s essential to avoid using fingernails to prevent damage to the hair follicles.
Adopting a Healthy Diet
A nutritionally balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins, and iron contributes to strong and healthy hair. Proteins found in foods like meat, fish, dairy products, and whole grains nurture robust hair. Vitamins, such as B5, B6, and Biotin, support rapid hair growth and prevent breakage.
Avoiding Stimulants
According to research, excessive alcohol and tobacco use can contribute to male pattern baldness. Therefore, it’s advisable to limit the intake of stimulants.
Stress Reduction
When experiencing stress, men can engage in physical activities like walking, cycling, swimming, or practicing yoga, or practice deep breathing to restore balance and prevent hair loss.
Conclusion
Baldness is not only a common phenomenon but also has negative impacts on the psychological well-being of those affected, gaining insight into the causes and treatment methods empowers individuals to choose suitable remedies and minimize the adverse effects of baldness. Try implementing these methods and observe their effectiveness. This not only supports an enhancement in your appearance but also contributes to an improved quality of life and self-confidence when stepping out into the world. I hope you find this information valuable, and I encourage you to experiment with these approaches to see the desired results
FAQs
- Why don’t women go bald?
Women can experience hair thinning and hair loss, but the pattern and extent are often different from male pattern baldness. Hormonal differences, particularly lower levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in women, contribute to this distinction. Additionally, the hair loss gene associated with male pattern baldness is typically inherited from both parents, making it less prevalent in women.
- Can you stop male pattern baldness?
No, male pattern baldness cannot be completely stopped, but various treatments, such as medications and surgical procedures, may help slow down the process or stimulate hair regrowth to some extent. It’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate approach based on individual circumstances.
- Which country has the most bald men?
The Czech Republic with 42.8%, has the most bald men in the world. Spain, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, U.S, Canada, and Belgium follow in the ten first places with percentages ranging from 36% to 42 % of the male population experiencing some degree of hair loss.
- Does every man go bald eventually?
No, not every man goes bald eventually. Male pattern baldness, which is the most common cause of hair loss in men, is influenced by genetic and hormonal factors. While a significant number of men may experience some degree of hair thinning or loss as they age, the extent and pattern can vary widely among individuals. Some men may maintain a full head of hair throughout their lives, while others may experience more noticeable hair loss.
- How fast do men go bald?
The speed at which men go bald varies widely. Some may experience gradual hair loss over many years, while others may undergo more rapid thinning. It depends on genetic, hormonal, and individual factors.
