Male Pattern Baldness: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
The most prevalent kind of hair loss in males is male pattern baldness, often referred to as androgenetic alopecia. By the time they are 50 years old, nearly 50% of men will have it, and some men may begin to lose hair in their teens or twenties.
Causes
Genetics, which controls how responsive your hair follicles are to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), is the primary cause of male pattern baldness. The male sex hormone testosterone produces a byproduct called DHT, which over time weakens and shrinks hair follicles, resulting in shorter and thinner hair. Hair loss often follows a regular pattern, beginning at the temples and top of the head and moving towards the sides and back of the head in the form of a horseshoe-shaped ring of hair.
Symptoms
The symptoms of male pattern baldness can vary from person to person, but they generally include:
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Receding hairline: A gradual or sudden loss of hair at the front of the head, creating an M-shaped or V-shaped hairline.
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Thinning crown: A gradual or sudden loss of hair at the top of the head, creating a bald spot or a circular patch of thinning hair.
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Diffuse thinning: A general loss of hair density all over the scalp, making the scalp more visible through the hair.
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Complete baldness: A total loss of hair on the scalp, leaving only a fringe of hair around the sides and back of the head.
Diagnosis
If you have symptoms of male pattern baldness, you should see your doctor for a diagnosis. Your doctor may perform a physical exam, ask about your medical history and family history of hair loss, and order some tests, such as:
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Hair pull test: To gently pull a few strands of hair from different areas of your scalp and count how many hairs come out. A normal result is losing one to three hairs per pull, while a higher number may indicate excessive hair loss.
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Hair analysis: To collect some hairs from your comb, brush, or pillow and examine them under a microscope to look for signs of damage, breakage, or miniaturization (shrinking of the hair shaft).
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Scalp biopsy: To take a small sample of skin and hair from your scalp and analyze it for any abnormalities, such as inflammation, infection, or scarring.
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Blood tests: To check your levels of hormones, such as testosterone, DHT, or thyroid hormones, and to rule out any medical conditions that may cause hair loss, such as anemia, diabetes, or lupus.
Treatment
The treatment of male pattern baldness depends on the extent, pattern, and cause of your hair loss, and your personal preferences and expectations. The main treatments for male pattern baldness are:
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Medication: To impact the hormones or blood flow that affect your hair follicles in order to either slow down or stop the course of hair loss or to encourage the growth of new hair. Male pattern baldness can be treated with two distinct forms of medicine, finasteride and minoxidil, both of which increase the size and quantity of hair follicles. They have various adverse effects and mechanisms of action.
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Surgery: To develop a broader and more natural-looking hairline, healthy hair follicles from one region of your scalp to another can be transplanted or the size of your bald spot can be reduced. The goal of several surgical treatments, including scalp reduction, follicular unit transplantation (FUT), and follicular unit extraction (FUE), is to restore the look and functionality of your hair. The techniques and results vary.
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Other treatments: In addition to medicine and surgery, hair systems, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, and laser therapy may be beneficial for certain individuals suffering from male pattern baldness. To enhance the quality, density, or coverage of your hair, these procedures include using low-level laser light, injecting plasma made from your own blood, or wearing a wig, toupee, or hairpiece.
Prevention
While there is no sure way to prevent male pattern baldness, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk or delay the onset of hair loss, such as:
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Seeking help early: If you notice any signs or symptoms of male pattern baldness, do not hesitate to consult your doctor and get the diagnosis and treatment you need. The sooner you get help, the better your chances of preserving and regrowing your hair.
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Observing your treatment plan: If your dermatologist or doctor has diagnosed you with male pattern baldness and given you a treatment plan, be careful to adhere to their instructions. This might entail coming to your follow-up visits, taking your medicine as prescribed, and getting tests and scans on a regular basis. It is important to see your dermatologist or doctor before stopping or altering your therapy, since it might have an impact on your progress or results.
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Taking care of oneself is crucial since male pattern baldness may have an impact on both your physical and emotional well-being. You should maintain a healthy diet, get adequate sleep and exercise, abstain from stress and tobacco use, and shield your scalp from sun exposure and other traumas. These routines can help you stay healthy overall, avoid or lessen the effects of other causes that could exacerbate your hair loss.
