Male Pattern Baldness: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

    January 2020
    Mark McIntyre
    Image of study
    TLDR Male pattern baldness is a common hair loss in men caused by genetics and hormones, with treatments including drugs, hair transplants, and hair loss products.
    Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenic alopecia, is a common form of hair loss in men, affecting over half of all men by their 50s. It can occur at any age, with some men noticing signs in their 20s and 30s. The primary causes are genetics and androgenic hormones such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Symptoms include a receding hairline, thinning at the crown, and general thinning of hair. The condition is caused by a genetic sensitivity of hair follicles to DHT, which binds to the follicles, causing them to shrink and slow hair growth. Risk factors include genetics, age, and certain medical treatments. While there is no cure, treatments include prescription drugs, hair transplants, scalp micropigmentation, over-the-counter hair loss products, laser devices, and hairpieces. These treatments require ongoing use and are most effective when started at the first signs of hair loss.
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      in Satire  7 upvotes 2 months ago
      The conversation discusses hair loss treatments, focusing on the use of topical minoxidil, microneedling, finasteride, and dutasteride, while debating the role of testosterone and DHT in hair loss. It also touches on the potential liver health impacts of these treatments and the genetic sensitivity of hair follicles to androgens.

      community Why is it that low testosterone causes hair loss as well? How can I be balding?

      in Chat  158 upvotes 8 months ago
      The conversation discusses the confusion over low testosterone potentially causing hair loss, with users sharing personal experiences and knowledge about hair loss treatments like Finasteride. Some users suggest that hair follicle sensitivity to DHT, not testosterone levels, is the key factor in balding, and others discuss the side effects of hair loss medications.

      community Is this broscience? From More Plates, More Dates

      in Research/Science  21 upvotes 9 months ago
      The conversation discusses whether finasteride's reduction of DHT and increase in scalp testosterone contribute to hair follicle miniaturization. Some participants argue testosterone does not cause miniaturization, while others suggest that even with reduced DHT, other androgens like testosterone may still contribute to hair loss.
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      in Research  692 upvotes 4 months ago
      Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

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