What is male pattern baldness?

This condition often affects men in their late twenties or early thirties, although is has occurred in younger men.

Women can also be affected although not to the same extent as men.

Male pattern baldness is also known as androgenetic alopecia and tends to be the most common type of hair loss in men. It is caused by a hormone derivative called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This derivative occurs from the fusion of 5-alpha reductase and the male hormone testosterone. It is usually caused by a disease of the autoimmune system.

This type of hair loss manifests itself as a thinning of the hair around the temples and then extends over the top of the scalp towards the back of the head. The sides of the head are often affected which results in the remaining hair forming a ‘horseshoe’ pattern.

If your father and his father before him went bald at an early age then you can pretty much expect to do the same. Baldness often runs in families so check within your own family.

This type of hair loss is usually permanent but there are ways of reducing further loss or treating the amount of hair you have at present.

FAQS Index:

• FAQS - Intro
• What causes hair loss?
• What is ‘male pattern baldness?’
• What is alopecia?
• My father lost his hair in his thirties will I do the same?
• Can women suffer from hair loss?

• Does stress cause your hair to fall out?
• Do gels, mousses or hairsprays cause your hair to fall out?
• Do some hair styles damage your hair or cause it to fall out?
• Will my hair grow back as normal after chemotherapy?
• How do you treat hair loss?