Male Pattern Baldness ? Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Posted by patillsandip on September 18th, 2017

Androgenic Alopecia in men is termed as Male pattern baldness, which is the most common cause of hair loss in men. Commonly seen in almost 50 percent men over the age of 50, male baldness can onset in an individual as early as their mid-30s.

Physical Appearance of Androgenic Alopecia.

Pattern Baldness in men beginning at the temples or the crown of the head, slowly receding to form an “M” pattern, which may continue to recede until almost all the hair is shed except at the back of the head and above the ears(U-shaped), is indicative of male pattern baldness.

Causes of Male Pattern Baldness:

Male pattern baldness is the loss of hair in men, that occurs due to the uncharacteristic sensitivity of hair follicles to the male sex hormones, androgens. Medically termed as androgenetic alopecia, male pattern baldness has a strong genetic predisposition, which means an individual with a family history of baldness is prone to the condition.

Thus, in individuals suffering from male pattern baldness, hair growth cycle begins to shorten causing the hair follicle to shrink, resulting in the production of shorter and finer strands of hair. Eventually, the anagen cycle ends without any signs of regrowth. Complete balding is rare in cases of male pattern baldness.

Diagnosis of Male Pattern Baldness

The diagnosis of male pattern baldness can be easily performed upon physical examining of the pattern of the balding.  However, in early diagnosis, the practitioner may take the medical history of the patient and perform an analysis of the scalp condition to rule out infections and any chronic health conditions.

Treatment Options for Baldness In Men

Male pattern baldness is a progressive condition that is irreversible. However, if caught early, treatments to slow down the progression of hair loss and promote regrowth are available for men who wish to regain their looks and gain their head full of hair.

Wigs are an inexpensive means of covering the thinning hair or already formed bald patch and are available in a variety of styles, colours, and textures that can help one gain a natural coverage.

Conventional Remedies.

Minoxidil (Rogaine) is a topical medication that is applied to the scalp. This helps stimulate the hair follicles and promote regrowth. However, male baldness often restarts upon discontinuing the treatment.

Finasteride is an oral pill which has the same effects as Minoxidil. Although, a higher success rate than minoxidil, discontinuing Finasteride also results in the restart of hair fall.

Both Minoxidil and Finasteride have side effects associated with them, hence one should understand the risks and adverse effects before starting the same.

Homeopathy Treatment for Male Pattern Baldness.

Homeopathy is a safe, side-effect-free and all-natural form of alternative treatment, that can not only help reduce the progression of hair loss and stimulate regrowth but also aim for a comprehensive male pattern baldness cure.

Unlike conventional treatment, homeopathy aims for a male pattern baldness cure. This form of treatment works at the immune system level and corrects the deviated working of the body that leads to male baldness.

Hair Transplants

A hair transplant is an expensive surgical treatment for hair restoration. Doctors extract follicles from the donor sites and transplant them in the balding areas. The new hair follicles are not predisposed to the balding gene; thus, the outcome of a transplant is permanent.

Male pattern baldness is an irreversible progressive condition, hence for the complete cure from the same, one must seek medical help at the earliest for a satisfactory result.