6 Major Causes Of Hair Loss In Men

There are some interesting statistics concerning hair loss in men. In 2023, one in four men will start balding before the age of 21 and it can start as early as 15. Hair loss (alopecia) can affect the scalp and also the entire body. It is caused due to multiple reasons, and specifically, in men, 95% of the reason for hair loss is androgenetic alopecia.

This blog will elaborate on the causes of hair loss in men.

What causes hair loss in men?

There are numerous reasons for hair loss, including genetic diseases, acute stress, infections, and hormone imbalances. Common causes of hair loss in men include:

1. Male Pattern Baldness (Androgenetic Alopecia)

This is the most common cause of hair loss in men and affects men in their 20s or 30s. By the age of 49, more than half the male population is affected by this. If you are susceptible to male pattern baldness, your hairline will often recede and appear more mature. Some males also suffer vertex baldness, a form of hair loss characterized by hair loss at the vertex of the head.

Male pattern baldness is caused by a combination of hereditary factors and the production of androgens, or male sex hormones, by the body. The primary hormone that causes male pattern baldness is DHT, a testosterone byproduct and androgenic steroid. 

Additionally, DHT might harm your hair follicles. If you have a hereditary susceptibility, the DHT your body produces might target your hair follicles and cause them to shrink, a process known as shrinkage.

Over time, these hair follicles may cease to produce new hairs, resulting in permanent bald patches on the afflicted area of your head.

2. Stress

Stress has negative effects on health which also includes hair loss in men. Despite being less common than male pattern baldness, stress-related hair loss is surprisingly common and is known as telogen effluvium.

Typically, stress-related telogen effluvium occurs after a psychological or physical stressor. Common causes of telogen effluvium include trauma, surgical procedures, and infections that generate a high fever.

Stress-related hair loss typically affects the entire scalp at once, so your hair will not fall out in the conventional pattern of a receding hairline. However, you may have rapid, profuse shedding and scattered hair loss, resulting in thinning hair.

3. Diet

Telogen effluvium, the type of stress-related hair loss discussed above, can also develop from dietary difficulties, such as crash diets and nutritional shortages.

Crash diets, in which you substantially reduce your caloric intake to lose weight rapidly, can put your body under stress. This stress could be exacerbated by a deficiency in essential nutrients, such as protein. Telogen effluvium has been linked to both crash dieting and a low protein intake.

In addition to crash diets, insufficient critical nutrients might inhibit the growth of thick, healthy hair. Iron deficiency is a common nutrient shortage related to hair loss. If your iron intake is insufficient, you may develop iron-deficiency anemia, a disorder that frequently impacts hair development.

4. Metabolic Syndrome

There is a relationship between androgenetic alopecia, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. Early-onset AGA is associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, resulting in inferior metabolic profiles, including body mass index, waist circumference, fasting glucose, blood lipids, and blood pressure.

5. Age

Age is associated with fluctuations in hormonal levels and aging comes with–

1. Decrease in testosterone
2. Decrease in serum DHT and 5-alpha reductase
3. Decrease in androgen receptors
4. Increase in SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)

This decrease in androgens and androgen receptors, as well as the rise in SHBG, oppose the age-related increase in androgenetic alopecia.

6. Medications

Certain drugs can disrupt your hair’s natural growth cycle, resulting in increased hair loss.

The most prevalent cause of hair loss is cancer treatment treatments, such as chemotherapy therapies. However, it can also occur with other medications used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), cardiovascular illness, and skin disorders like acne.

For instance, chemotherapy drugs can trigger a form of hair loss known as anagen effluvium, which occurs when an inflammatory or toxic stimulus fractures the hair shaft — the portion of each hair that extends from the scalp.

Other drugs, such as beta-blockers, anticoagulants, and some retinoids used in skin care, can cause telogen effluvium by disrupting the natural growth cycle of hair follicles.

Hair loss in men treatment options!

Addressing hair loss in men requires a thoughtful consideration of various treatment options tailored to individual needs. Here is a comprehensive list of treatments that range from pharmaceutical to surgical interventions:

• Topical Medications: Minoxidil and Finasteride are FDA-approved medications that promote hair growth and prevent further loss.
• Oral Medications: Finasteride, taken orally, inhibits the action of the hormone responsible for hair loss, offering a systemic approach.
• Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT): Non-invasive laser devices stimulate hair follicles, promoting growth and enhancing thickness.
• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: Utilizing the patient’s blood, PRP injections encourage natural hair growth through the introduction of growth factors.
• Hair Growth Shampoos and Topical Products: Certain formulations contain active ingredients promoting hair health and growth.
• Hair Replacement Systems: Non-surgical options like wigs or hairpieces provide a cosmetic solution for immediate aesthetic improvement.
• Hair Transplant: For those seeking a permanent solution, hair transplants remain a viable option. Hair transplant procedures involve the relocation of hair follicles from donor areas to areas affected by hair loss, providing a lasting and natural-looking result.

As part of a commitment to your well-being, consider booking a free hair transplant consultation with the renowned Bluemagic Group Clinic. Their expert team can assess your unique situation and provide professional guidance on the most suitable treatment path for you.

Remember, informed decisions lead to the most satisfying outcomes in addressing hair loss concerns.