Causes and treatments for male pattern baldness

Excessive hair loss or alopecia in men is a common problem. Medical statistics claim that on average only 15 per cent of the male sex manages to maintain a thick, beautiful head of hair until an advanced age. All the rest already at the age of 35-45 years (and sometimes even earlier) notice that the hair has become thinning, lost, so the question of the treatment of male pattern baldness is very relevant.

Why do men lose their hair?

The lifespan of a hair is about 3 years. After that, the hair falls out and a new one grows in its place. But this is in the normal state. It used to be believed that the absence of hair cover was a sign of old age. But today, patients of doctors-trichologists become men, the average age of which is 35 years. And many of them have their first signs of hair loss by the age of 28-30.

The exact causes of male pattern baldness can be found in this ARTICLE. Certain laboratory tests are prescribed, and the patient’s general condition is analyzed. Conclusions are drawn about the cause of hair loss, the stage of alopecia, and treatment options.

Types of male pattern baldness

The choice of a specific treatment for male pattern baldness depends not only on the cause, but also on the type of hair loss. All cases of hair loss associated with the painful condition are systematized. Trichologists distinguish several types of alopecia:

• androgenic alopecia. This is the most common type of alopecia. It is called “male pattern baldness. The culprit of the condition is the male hormone dihydrotestosterone. Its excess in the body negatively affects the condition of hair follicles, making them non-viable. Especially the bulbs on the forehead and the top of the head suffer – here the hair falls out in the first place. In most cases (up to 95%) androgenic form is inherited. It cannot be cured. The only thing that doctors can do is to temporarily postpone the stage of complete hair loss;
• diffuse alopecia. Uniform hair loss. Causes: infections, improper functioning of the thyroid gland, stress, lack of vitamins. Treatment depends on the factor that caused the disease;
• nested (focal) alopecia. The appearance of individual rounded areas devoid of hair. At first, these areas are small, then they gradually increase and merge with each other. A feature of this type of alopecia is the loss of not only the head hair, but also the scalp. The cause: failure of the thyroid gland, autoimmune disorders. This type of alopecia is reversible. With the correct, timely treatment, the stabilization stage begins, after which the hair starts to grow inside the hairless foci;
• The follicles are replaced by connective tissue. It occurs at the site of trauma or inflammatory lesions on the scalp. Due to the complete absence of follicles, this type cannot be treated;
• total alopecia.

In each case of hair loss, a doctor’s examination is required to determine the type of alopecia and to establish the diagnosis. Laboratory tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis, identify the cause, and prescribe treatment options.

Treatment for male pattern baldness

Hair loss happens all the time: every day every person loses up to 100 hairs, and new hairs grow in their place. When a pathological condition occurs, no new hair grows in place of the lost hair. How do you know when hair loss has gone from normal to abnormal? Do the test: take a lock of hair and run your hand along its entire length, firmly squeezing it. Look at your palm: if you see more than 10 hairs, it’s time to think about visiting a trichologist. He will identify the complexity of the problem, determine the causes and treatment of male pattern baldness.