Navigation
[TITLE]

[MESSAGE]

[BUTTONS]

Popular questions...

Content

How is male pattern baldness treated?

Treatment options for male pattern baldness include camouflage techniques, medications and hair transplant surgery. However, in most cases hair loss is permanent. Medications tend to slow the progress of hair loss, rather than produce new hair growth.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is male pattern baldness?

Male pattern baldness is a common type of hair loss that affects at least half of all men at some point. It's often thought to be passed down from mothers to sons. However, research shows that male pattern baldness is actually inherited from both sides of the …

What are the symptoms of male pattern baldness?

As the name suggests, male pattern baldness occurs in a particular pattern. It usually starts with the hair receding around the temples, followed by general thinning and balding on top of the scalp. In many cases, hair remains at the sides …

What causes male pattern baldness?

Male pattern baldness is influenced by genes and the male sex hormones, also known as androgens. More specifically, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) affects individual follicles, causing the hairs inside them to become thinner and grow for a shorter period.

Who gets male pattern baldness?

Male pattern baldness affects at least half of all men at some point. It's more likely with increasing age or if one or both parents also experience pattern hair loss. However, some people also just naturally have hair follicles that are more sensitive to …

Is male pattern baldness inherited from the mother's side?

Historically, male pattern baldness was often thought to be passed down from mothers to sons. However, research now indicates that it's most likely inherited from both sides of the family.

How is male pattern baldness diagnosed?

Your doctor will most likely diagnose male pattern baldness by looking at your scalp and asking questions about your family history and rate of hair loss. A blood test may also be done to confirm or rule out an underlying medical condition, such as …

What is hair transplant surgery?

During hair transplantation, a doctor removes 'donor grafts' of hair from the back and sides of the scalp for relocation to bald areas. Each graft contains one or more hairs still attached to a small patch of skin. Surgery can take up to several hours and …

Can male pattern baldness be prevented?

As male pattern baldness is largely caused by genetic and hormonal factors, it's generally considered to be a natural process that can't be prevented. However, eating a balanced diet containing healthy levels of iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid may …

What is the outlook for pattern baldness?

Pattern baldness is usually permanent, but it doesn't cause any other physical symptoms, apart from hair loss. Treatment results vary from person to person depending on the option chosen and amount of hair remaining. Generally though, medications …

Related Topics

Male pattern baldness

Alopecia (hair loss)

Female pattern hair loss

Sunburn

Hyperthyroidism

Becoming a father

About this article

Author: Lauren Donley BSc (Hons)
First answered: 18 Sep 2014
Last reviewed: 14 May 2019
Rating: 4.8 out of 5
Votes: 79 (Click smiley face below left to rate)
Category: Male pattern baldness

Disclaimer

Welcome to Health&. We aim to help keep you healthy and well.

We provide helpful information and guidance to manage your health. The information is personalised to allow you to make better decisions about your health. We use the latest medical guidelines and provide information that has been reviewed by doctors at Health&. It is important to note that we only provide information - we do not provide medical diagnosis, treatment or advice. The health information provided should not be a substitute for professional medical care. Before acting on the information, please consult your doctor to make sure it is right for you. In the event of a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or emergency services - dial 000 (in Australia) or 911 (in the United States of America).

At Health&, you can securely store your health records. We respect the need for privacy and security of personal information. We are bound by legal requirements for privacy in Australia. Health& is also a registered Healthcare Provider Organisation (just like your doctor), so we will not share your personal information with anyone. We apply the highest levels of security for the storage, management and access of your personal information, using industry standards for encryption. To further safeguard your information, we recommend that you use a strong password and take care to protect it.

Health& is the first consumer-led population health study in Australia. We collect anonymous health data to support medical research and population health initiatives. The information contributes to major improvements in the health of communities. Your participation helps others to also benefit.

You need to be at least 18 years old to sign up. Please read the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy before using Health&.

×

Content goes in here.