Know about the Reasons of Hair Fall in Men at Dr Batra's™

Male Pattern Baldness Causes

Male pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair fall in men. It is a hereditary condition causing receding hairline and thinning of hair on the crown of the head. Having a family history of hair loss or baldness is one of the major alopecia causes in males.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, over 50% of men over 50 will experience male pattern baldness to some degree.

While heredity is a major reason for hair fall in males, it is not the only reason. Many other factors are hair fall reasons in men.

Understanding Causes and Treatment for Male Pattern Baldness

Understanding the reasons is crucial for men seeking effective hair solutions. Knowledge of the underlying factors, such as genetics and hormonal influences, empowers individuals to make informed decisions about its prevention and management. Recognizing the available treatments enables timely intervention, potentially slowing or reversing hair loss.

This understanding helps improve psychological well-being. This minimizes the impact of male pattern baldness on confidence and self-esteem enhancing overall quality of life.

Reasons for Hair Loss in Men

Hormonal Changes

Male pattern baldness links to the male sex hormones, specifically dihydrotestosterone (DHT) known as androgens. The androgens are responsible for many functions in the body. Regulating hair growth is one of them. (When such hair loss occurs without family history, it is called androgenic alopecia)

Male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia adversely affects the hair growth cycle. At the beginning of male pattern baldness, hair follicles shrink and produce shorter as well as finer strands of hair.

Once the growth cycle for each hair ends, no new hair grows in its place, creating a bald spot and making it a main cause of baldness in men. Sometimes changes in the thyroid hormone levels or hormonal imbalances act as hair fall reasons in males. Male pattern hair loss usually begins with a receding hair line or baldness on the top of the head.

Medical Conditions

An important cause of sudden hair loss in men is alopecia areata. An autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles. This results in hair loss in patches. The presence of other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid may increase the chances of such hair loss.

Scalp infections such as ringworm can also be one of the major reasons for male hair loss causes. The infection penetrates deep into the hair shaft. It causes itching and even leads hair to break off at the surface of the scalp or just above it.

A hair-pulling disorder called trichotillomania is also a cause of hair loss in men. This condition causes compulsive urges to pull out hair from the scalp, eyebrows or other areas of the body.

Scalp psoriasis can also act as a cause of hair fall in men. The condition isn't a reason for the hair loss itself. However excessive scratching, picking at the scaly spots, harsh treatments and increased stress can lead to hair loss.

Supplements and Medicines

Certain ingredients in some medications and supplements can cause hair loss as a side effect. This occurs because the medicines interfere with the normal cycle of hair growth. Medications prescribed for arthritis, cancer, heart problems, depression, high blood pressure and gout may cause hair fall. This is seen in both men and women.

Medications cause two types of hair loss: anagen effluvium and telogen effluvium. Anagen effluvium refers to the hair loss that occurs during the growth phase of the hair. Telogen effluvium causes the hair follicles to prematurely enter into the resting phase and fall out early.

Poor Nutrition

Nutritional deficiency in men can affect the structure of the hair and growth of the hair. Hence, it is an essential reason for hair fall in males.

Sudden weight loss or decreased protein intake can lead to acute telogen effluvium. Lack of essential nutrients such as iron, zinc, protein, biotin, and vitamins A, B, C, and E can hinder hair growth. It might lead to experience hair loss in men

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy to the head can destroy the healthy hair cells along with the cancerous cells. It is a major reason for hair fall in males and the individual loses hair very rapidly. Radiation therapy may lead to the thinning of hair or even complete hair loss in some cases. The extent of hair loss depends on several factors like the size of the treated area and the dosage of radiation.

Hairstyles and Hair Treatments

Hairstyles and hair treatments also play a role in male hair loss. Styles like tight ponytails, pigtails, or cornrows can lead to a type of hair loss known as traction alopecia. Additionally, excessive hair fall treatments such as hot oil treatments and hair straightening can cause hair loss in men.

Increase in Stress and Anxiety

Many people noticing increased hair loss might have gone through a physical or psychological trauma, illness, or injury. Traumatic events like the death of a loved one, job loss, major surgeries, or divorce can lead to various types of hair loss. The types of hair loss include telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, and trichotillomania. Fortunately, this type of hair loss is often temporary.

The reason for hair fall in males varies from person to person. An acute understanding of the root cause of hair fall in men is imperative for determining hair fall treatment. This is the foundation of the homeopathic treatment for hair loss in men.

During a consultation at Dr Batra's, our homeopathic doctors conduct a detailed case history. They also use video microscopy to identify the specific cause of hair loss in men. This information helps us tailor the most effective homeopathic remedies and treatments for each individual

Medically Reviewed

Dr. Tushar Mittal

Experience: 12+ years

Qualification

B.H.M.S (Maharashtra University of Health Sciences)
FCHD (Fellowship in Homeopathic Dermatologist - Mumbai)

FAQs

What is the main cause of male pattern baldness?

The most common cause of male pattern baldness is heredity. Having a family history of hair loss or baldness is an important cause of hair loss in men. You may inherit it from either side of your family – maternal or paternal.

Does stress cause male pattern baldness?

Stress does not cause male pattern baldness. However, extreme stress can trigger three types of hair loss – telogen effluvium (sudden hair loss after a stressful experience), alopecia areata (autoimmune condition causing patchy hair loss) and trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder).

Can low testosterone cause male pattern baldness?

It is not the amount of testosterone or DHT that causes baldness. It is the sensitivity of your hair follicles that contributes to it. This sensitivity is determined by genetics. The Androgen Receptor gene produces the receptors on the hair follicles that interact with testosterone and DHT. If your receptors are sensitive, they are easily triggered by even the smallest amounts of DHT, resulting in hair loss and balding.

What gene is responsible for male pattern baldness?

The Androgen Receptor gene located on the X chromosome is one of the genes associated with male pattern baldness.

Does smoking cause male pattern baldness?

A study was published in the journal Archives of Dermatology about the relationship between smoking and hair loss in men. It found that current smokers or people who had once smoked but now quit were nearly twice as likely to have moderate or severe hair loss as compared with men who never smoked. The study suggested that smoking may damage the vessels at the very bottom of the hair follicle or may even damage the DNA in the hair follicle. This makes it a potential reason of hair fall in males.