Causes for Male Pattern Baldness

Bald patterns on the top or front of the head and at the sides/temples are quite common amongst men, with half of all men suffering from pattern hair loss by the age of 50. It is the most common type of hair loss, representing about 95% of all cases of hair loss in men.

Although male baldness is not a sign of poor health, hair loss can affect the way men feel about themselves. It can make men anxious about their looks, causing anxiety, reducing self-esteem and confidence in some men.

Male pattern baldness causes thinning of hair on the scalp, which results in receding hairline and/or balding on the top of the head. This kind of hair loss is thought to be caused by some genetic factors combined with hormonal changes in the body. The DHT (dihydrotestosterone) hormone is responsible for shortening the growth phase and thinning of the hair, leading to male pattern baldness.

In some men the changes in hair pattern can start in their early 20s and increase with age. Once hair loss has occurred over a long period of time, the hair may be permanently lost.

Male pattern baldness is treatable in most cases, with 9 out of 10 men stabilising their hair loss, although stopping hair loss and encouraging hair growth is a slow process. It can take a couple of years for new hair to grow with treatment. Re-growing hair once it’s gone is much harder than conserving the remaining hair, so it is important not to leave it too late to see a hair specialist for treatment.