Is your hair loss also male pattern baldness (Male Pattern Baldness / Androgenic Alopecia)? Let's talk about this!

Do you feel like your hair is thinning? Maybe you're getting gaps on both sides of your forehead, or are you starting to notice bald spots on the top of your head? This is something that happens to many men, so don't worry. Today, we'll talk about this condition called 'Male Pattern Baldness'.

What is Male Pattern Baldness?

Simply put, male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss in men. Medically, it is called Androgenic Alopecia. This is when the hair on your scalp gradually thins out and stops growing back over time. The main symptoms you may notice are thinning hair and a receding hairline at the sides or front of your forehead .

What are the opportunities in this?

There are different stages of this hair loss. One method doctors use to classify it is called the ``Hamilton-Norwood scale''. According to it, there are 7 main stages. Let's see what they are:

• Case 1: In this case, there is no significant hair loss or forehead hair growth. This is a normal condition.
• Stage 2: Your hair starts to thin out slightly on the sides of your forehead (the back of your head).
• Scenario 3: The hair on both sides of your forehead has grown too much, and perhaps your forehead hairline is shaped like an 'M' or a 'U'.
• Stage 4: Hair grows back even more on both sides of the forehead, and hair also begins to grow on the top of the head (what we call the ``crown'').
• Case 5: The part where the hair goes up from the forehead and the part where the hair goes up on the top of the head are both connected together.
• Situation 6: The hair on the sides of your forehead and on the crown of your head may be very thin or almost completely gone.
• Case 7: There is almost no hair on the top of the head. There is only a thin band of hair left around the head and on the sides.

Who is most affected by this situation?

Male Pattern Baldness can affect any man. However, it varies by race . For example, it is more common in white men. It is also more common in people of African-Caribbean descent. However, it is less common in people from countries like China and Japan. It is also less common in Native Americans, First Nations people in Canada, and Alaska Natives.

The most important thing is family history. If someone in your family, such as your father, grandfather, or brothers, has had this type of hair loss, you are more likely to develop the condition.

Does this have any influence on the generation coming from the mother's side?

Yes, that's important too. If your mother's father (i.e. your maternal grandfather) had this type of hair loss , you're more likely to have it too. However, your father's side also has an influence. If your father has baldness, you're twice as likely to have it too.

How common is this condition?

In fact, ``Male Pattern Baldness`` is very common. It affects about two out of every three men . The risk increases with age. Some people can start to see these symptoms as early as their 20s.

What does this do to the body?

In this condition, the small glands on your scalp that produce hair (we call them ``hair follicles'') gradually shrink . This often happens in a specific pattern. As these ``hair follicles'' shrink, your individual hairs become thinner and shorter . Over time, those hairs stop growing altogether.

But here's what you need to know, `(Male Pattern Baldness)` does not directly harm your physical health. However, it can affect your mentality. The way you look at society, the way you think about yourself (`(psychosocially)` and `(psychologically)`) can change because of this. For some people, this can cause a lot of mental stress , anxiety and even depression . So, it is important to take care of that too.

What are the symptoms of this?

The main symptoms of `(Male Pattern Baldness)` are:

• Thinning or loss of hair from the crown of the head.
• Thinning or loss of hair on the temples.
• Receding hairline.

This hair loss is painless . Most people start experiencing it in their 30s. However, for some younger people, it can start in their early 20s or even in their late teens.

The hairline at the top of the head usually looks like a circle. The hairline at the top of the forehead often looks like an 'M'. As the hairline continues, the hairline at the top of the head and on either side of the forehead can come together to form a 'U' shape.

Why is this happening? What are the reasons?

There are several main causes of ``Male Pattern Baldness''. Let's see what they are:

• Age: The risk of developing Male Pattern Baldness increases with age. About 25% of men start to notice the first signs of hair loss before the age of 21. By the age of 50, the condition affects about half of men . As they age, about 70% of men will experience some degree of hair loss.
• Hormones: The main player here is the hormone `(Dihydrotestosterone)` or `(DHT)` . This belongs to the group of sex hormones `(Androgens)`. `(Androgens)` are hormones that help us physically mature as we age. They affect the growth of hair on the face, scalp, chest, armpits, and genital areas. Medical experts and researchers believe that there is a connection between this `(DHT)` hormone and the shrinkage of your hair follicles .
• Genetics: Men have one X chromosome, inherited from their mother, and one Y chromosome, inherited from their father. The AR gene on your X chromosome tells your body to make androgens . The sensitivity of this AR gene determines whether or not you will develop male pattern baldness.

Is this contagious?

No, ``Male Pattern Baldness'' is not contagious at all.

How do you recognize this?

Male Pattern Baldness is something that can be easily diagnosed. So it doesn't necessarily mean that you need to see a doctor to diagnose it. However, a doctor can confirm this by examining your scalp. The doctor will then ask you about your medical history, when did your hair start falling out, and whether anyone in your family has this condition. He will also look at the shape of your forehead hair, whether there are any thinning or bald spots.

What tests are done to diagnose this?

Sometimes your doctor may use a special device called a densitometer to examine your scalp. This densitometer measures the thickness of your hair follicles.

However, if your doctor suspects that your hair loss is not due to Male Pattern Baldness, but something else, he or she may do the following:

• They will check if you have any kind of infection on your scalp.
• A small sample of your hair will be taken and sent to a lab for analysis.
• A small piece of skin is taken from the scalp (a scalp biopsy) and checked for any skin disease.
• Several blood tests are done.

What is the treatment for this?

There are several treatments for hair loss. Let's take a look at what they are:

• Medications: There are over-the-counter medications that you can buy at the pharmacy, and they can be applied to your scalp. An example is Minoxidil (often sold under the brand name Rogaine®) . This is usually the first treatment for Male Pattern Baldness. However, Minoxidil can cause side effects such as headaches, scalp irritation, and abnormal hair growth in some people. There are also prescription medications that can be taken by a doctor, such as Finasteride (brand name Propecia®) . This also treats Male Pattern Baldness. However, some people may experience allergic reactions, testicular pain, and erectile dysfunction.
• Hair transplant: This involves a doctor taking skin from healthy hair follicles on your body (such as the back of your head) and transplanting them to areas of your scalp where there is no hair or where there is thinning. However, this can cause scalp pain, irritation, scarring, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy: In this treatment, a doctor takes some of your own blood, processes it in a special way, and injects it back into your scalp. This is said to stimulate hair growth. It can also cause scalp pain, irritation, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
• Different hairstyles (`(Styling techniques)`): You can hide your `(Male Pattern Baldness)` to some extent with certain hairstyles, `(wigs)`, or `(hair weaves)`.

How quickly can you expect to recover from treatment?

With medications like `(Minoxidil)`, you will see some improvement after about two to four months of daily use. With medications like `(Finasteride)`, you will see results after at least three months of daily use . The important thing is that if you stop using these medications, the new hair will start to grow back.

A hair transplant usually takes about three weeks to heal . It can take up to a year to see full results. Sometimes, several small touch-ups may be required to achieve a natural look.

It takes at least three weeks to recover after a `(Platelet-rich plasma - PRP)` injection treatment. To maintain the results, you may need to have several more injections.

Are there ways to prevent this?

To be honest, neither medical researchers nor doctors have yet been able to find a way to completely prevent `(Male Pattern Baldness)`. However, there are a few things that can help keep your hair healthy and even help hair growth to some extent. Let's see what they are:

• Eating a diet high in protein, especially if you are vegetarian or vegan. We need between 40 and 60 grams of protein per day. A Mediterranean diet ( high in fruits, vegetables, and protein) may help reduce hair loss.
• Taking vitamins. Certain vitamins and minerals – for example, vitamins A, B, C, D, E, zinc, and iron – help maintain healthy hair, skin, and muscle tissue.
• Find ways to manage stress. Stress can increase the activity of androgens in your body, which can contribute to Male Pattern Baldness.

What happens if I have this condition? / Do I need to see a doctor?

Many people accept Male Pattern Baldness as a normal part of aging and are happy with the way it looks. There's nothing wrong with that. However, if you want to stop, reduce, or regrow some of your hair, a doctor can help you.

See a doctor immediately if you feel like your hair is falling out, especially if it causes you to feel stressed, anxious, or depressed.

What questions should you ask the doctor?

When you go to see a doctor, it's a good idea to ask questions like these:

• "How exactly do you say I have `(Male Pattern Baldness)`?"
• "If I don't have `(Male Pattern Baldness)`, what else is causing my hair to fall out?"
• "What medications or treatments do you recommend?"
• "What is the full list of side effects of these medications and treatments?"
• "What else can I do to stop my hair from falling out?"
• "Should I see a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon?"

What is the difference between `(Telogen effluvium)` and `(Male Pattern Baldness)`?

Telogen effluvium is another type of hair loss. This is when you lose a lot of hair in a short period of time . It usually happens after a period of stress, usually within a few months. It can also be caused by sudden hormonal changes. However, hair loss due to telogen effluvium is usually temporary . Once your stress is gone, your hair will often grow back without treatment.

However, `(Male Pattern Baldness)` is a more gradual, gradual hair loss. The exact cause of `(Male Pattern Baldness)` is not yet fully understood. Without medication or treatment, the hair that is lost due to `(Male Pattern Baldness)` will not grow back, that is for sure.

So, what are the things we need to remember from all of this?

Okay, `(Male Pattern Baldness)` is a common condition that affects many men as they age. Many people accept it as a normal part of aging. However, it can have a negative impact on your mental health. As soon as you start to notice the symptoms of `(Male Pattern Baldness)`, especially if it causes you stress, anxiety, or depression, don't hesitate to see a doctor. There are medications and treatments available today that can help control or even reverse this condition to some extent. So, it's best to seek medical advice without fear.

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