Male hair loss

Hair loss - in whatever form - affects almost 30 percent of all men in the course of their lives. However, 95 percent of those affected suffer from hereditary hair loss. This is also known as androgenetic alopecia.

As a rule, hereditary hair loss begins with the characteristic bald patches in the forehead area, the receding hairline. Over time, androgenetic alopecia then ends with a final remaining thin crown of hair.

In men who have a particularly strong predisposition to this type of hair loss, the loss of hair begins as early as the age of 16. The male sex hormone testosterone is mainly responsible for this, which in turn forms the hormone DHT. If the DHT is present in high concentrations, this often results in hair loss. In addition, many men are also affected by other types of hair loss.

The following article therefore shows which other causes of hair loss are possible. Further helpful information can be found at laduti.de/haarausfall-bei-maennern/.

The causes of male hair loss

The hereditary factors that cause hair loss have already been explained. If such androgenetic alopecia is present, the affected men can usually do hardly anything against the loss of their hair. For this reason, many men who suffer from hereditary hair loss decide at an early age to anticipate the loss of hair and go bald.

In addition, however, taking certain medications or undergoing chemotherapy as part of the fight against cancer can also cause hair to fall out. If the cause of hair loss is due to the medication, those affected should consult their doctor about this. There may be alternative medications that do not affect hair growth. With chemotherapy, on the other hand, it is very common for hair to fall out. However, after a successful treatment, the hair often grows back healthy and strong.

However, diseases, both physical and psychological, can also significantly affect hair growth. As soon as increased hair loss is noticed, a doctor should therefore be consulted to check whether a disease is responsible for the hair loss. If this is not the case, men should check whether they are exposed to excessive stress in their daily lives. This also promotes hair loss. This also applies to persistent emotional stress.

In addition, in the event of increased hair loss, the diet should also be examined more closely. Deficiency symptoms can also promote hair loss. Through a healthy and balanced diet, hair health is generally supported to a great extent.

Hair Loss - Hormonal Causes

Hormonal factors are considered the most common cause of excessive hair loss in men. Androgenetic alopecia affects about 70-80% of men of various ages.

The male pattern of baldness is characteristic - there is a gradual receding of the hairline on the forehead and temples, so called 'cornrows' are formed, additionally hair thins on the top of the head. First symptoms of androgenic alopecia usually begin between 25 and 30 years of age, and hair thinning is periodic - twice a year excessive hair loss may be observed.

Male pattern baldness is most severe between the ages of 35 and 45, and after a few years complete baldness may occur.

The main factor responsible for the appearance of androgenetic alopecia is testosterone, a male sex hormone produced in the testes and adrenal cortex. It is converted to the more potent dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the enzyme 5α-reductase.

Since this enzyme is distributed unevenly in the body, its effects vary. The highest 5α-reductase activity occurs in the frontal and temporal regions - and it is in these areas that the symptoms of hair loss appear earliest and are most intense. The situation is different in the occipital region, where the enzyme has very low activity, so the hair in this area does not fall out.

Under the influence of dihydrotestosterone hair becomes weaker and thinner, its growth phase is shortened and regrowth of new hair is inhibited. All these factors ultimately lead to hair loss.

When is pathological hair loss present?

In order to effectively combat hair loss, it is important that the causes are known. A visit to the family doctor is therefore always the first step to have a diagnostic clarification carried out.

In Germany, there are now special hair consultations in many cities for those affected by hair loss. In these, the physicians comprehensively address the different variants of hair loss and diseases of the scalp. Various options are then available for both diagnosis and therapy.

However, men should be aware that periods when more hair is lost than usual are perfectly normal. Around 50 to 100 hairs can fall out per day. Pathological hair loss is only present when more than 100 hairs fall out every day and the hair thereby slowly thins visibly.