The Most Common Causes of Hair Loss in Men

The most feared heritage by many a man has been a bald shiny pate.  Though some men may look at it as a symbol of their maturity but most men go through great emotional distress especially if the hair loss starts early.

Male Pattern Baldness or Androgenic Alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss in men and in women.  In men it accounts for about 95% of all hair loss cases. This condition in men is characterized by the gradual thinning of hair starting at the hair line and thinning of hair at the crown.  The hair line begins to recede and the crown loses all visible hair. This slowly progresses to complete loss of hair on the top of the head and the crown and only a horse shaped fringe remains at the back and sides of the head.

MPB or Male Pattern Baldness usually starts at the age of 30 but sometimes it may start in the early 20s or even during teenage years.

Causes of Male Pattern Baldness

A number of genetic factors cause Male Pattern Baldness.  Along with advancing age and an inherited tendency this condition is caused by an excess of the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) within the hair follicle. DHT is a highly active form of testosterone. This hormone causes the hair follicles to make thinner and thinner hair until they eventually pack up completely.  Technically, most follicles are still alive and able to produce new hair although weaker and thinner. In Male Pattern Baldness the growing phase of the hair known as anagen progressively becomes shorter and thus more hair is shed. The hair in the resting phase known as telogen becomes thin and cannot survive the daily wear and tear. Healthy and thick hair in the balding areas slowly changes from long, thick, colored hair into fine, un-pigmented, fuzzy hair.

Other Causes of Hair Loss

Telogen Effluvium is another cause of hair loss in women and in men. Telogen Effluvium is caused by the reaction of the body to intense stress, hormonal changes or medication.  As this condition appears a while after its trigger it is hard to relate it to its cause in the first place.  A lot of people go through this condition at one time or another in their life, either caused by sickness, stress or as a side-effect to a medication.  Hair lost due to Telogen Effluvium re-grows when the stressor or trigger is removed.

Some other cause for hair loss in men could be:

• Hypothyroidism
• Anemia
• Chemotherapy
• Fungal infections and
• Side-effect of a prescription drug

A rare disorder known as Cicatrical Alopecia affects men and women of all ages and races. It is a devastating and permanent type of hair loss where hair follicles get destroyed and form scar tissue beneath the skin.  This condition may form small bald patches or may even cover the head. Unfortunately there is no cure found for this condition as yet.

photo credit: Thomas Hawk via photopin cc