Last Updated: 24th July, 2022
Baldness in males is one of the most prevalent causes of hair loss in men, often called as male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia.
What Are The Causes Of Androgenic Alopecia?
- Typical male pattern baldness is defined genetically. A family history of androgenic alopecia puts you at a greater risk of getting it.
- It may also be associated with male sex hormones called androgens. These hormones have various functions in your body, including regulating hair growth.
What Are The Symptoms Of Androgenic Alopecia?
- You may have androgenic alopecia if your hair loss starts at the head’s crown or temple region.
- Gradually the hairline moves backwards (retreats) and forms a shape of “M.”
- The hair will become finer, shorter, and thicker, producing a hair pattern that is U-shaped around the sides.
- It begins as a single bald spot sometimes. In others, until most hair is gone, the hairline continues to recede.
Are There Any Tests To Diagnose Androgenic Alopecia?
Classic androgenic alopecia is usually diagnosed based on your medical history and examination of the appearance and pattern of hair loss.
Hair loss due to other conditions, such as fungal infections, certain medications, thyroid conditions or nutritional disorders will be ruled out based on your medical history and examination.
A skin biopsy and blood tests may be needed to diagnose other disorders that cause hair loss.
What Are The Ways To Fight Androgenic Alopecia?
Treatment may not be necessary if you are comfortable with your appearance and other health conditions are not a cause of your hair loss. Treatments are available if you are unhappy with the way you look and would like to address this hair loss.
1. Change Of Hairstyle
With the correct haircut or hairstyle, you can conceal your hair loss. So, next time you visit your hair stylist, ask for a creative cut that will make thinning hair look fuller.
2. Hair Wigs Or Hairpieces
They can cover your thinning hair, receding hairlines as well as complete baldness. For a natural look, you can choose a style, color, and texture that looks like your initial hair.
3. Hair Weaves
They are wigs that are sewn into your natural hair. If your hair loss isn’t very important, this can be attempted.
4. Medications
Medicines that treat male pattern baldness include:
- Minoxidil
This is a solution directly applied to the scalp to stimulate hair follicles. It slows many men’s hair loss, and some may develop fresh hair as well. Nevertheless, if you stop using this medicine, hair loss returns. Possible side effects with minoxidil include dryness, irritation, burning and scaling of the scalp.
- Finasteride
It is an oral medication that interferes with the production of the male hormone responsible for hair loss. It slows the loss of hair. It operates somewhat better than minoxidil. You must take finasteride for three months to one year before you see the results.
Your hair loss returns when you stop taking the medicine. Possible side effects include itching, rash, breast growth and tenderness of the breast, painful ejaculation, erection difficulty, and depression.
- Dutasteride
It is similar to finasteride but may be more effective.
5. Hair Transplant
Hair transplant work by removing hair from areas of the scalp that have active hair growth and transplanting them to the thinning or balding areas of your scalp. Multiple treatments are often necessary and are very expensive.
6. Counselling
Loss of hair may be troublesome for many. If you experience anxiety, low self-esteem, depression or other issues due to baldness in the masculine pattern, you should consult an advisor.
