DiStefano Hair Restoration Blog

What Is Male Pattern Baldness and Why Does It Happen?

The majority of men dealing with hair loss are experiencing male pattern baldness. By age 35, two out of three men have lost some hair, or have noticed that it is at least thinning. This means that it is helpful to know what this condition is, and what causes it, as it may already be affecting you.

What Is Male Pattern Baldness?

As you might guess from the name of this condition, male pattern baldness tends to follow a pattern, as the hair loss is usually in the same area for years. For example, many men notice hair loss on the crown of their head, though they may start to lose hair from their temples and forehead area, too.  The medical term for male pattern baldness is androgenetic alopecia, and you should note that if you lose hair in patches, notice any redness, or feel in pain as you lose hair, you are probably experiencing something other than male pattern baldness. It is important to make this distinction since the treatment is often different depending on the cause.

What Causes Male Pattern Baldness?

The typical cause of this condition is a buildup of dihydrotestosterone. When your body deposits too much of this chemical around each hair follicle, the hair becomes thin and stops growing. In most cases, this condition is genetic, meaning that you will likely eventually deal with male pattern baldness if most of your relatives are balding.

In some cases, you may start balding due to medication, stress, or certain diseases. However, this is rarely male pattern baldness. You should get the issue checked out thoroughly before making a decision to pursue treatment, such as a hair transplant, as there may be a more ideal solution if you are not in fact dealing with male pattern baldness.

Fortunately, Dr. DiStefano has some options for you if you are indeed suffering from male pattern baldness. If you suspect that your hair loss is due to this issue, contact us to get a free consultation. 

DiStefano Hair Restoration Center is committed to helping men and women take charge of their appearance and self-esteem through hair restoration options. For more than 16 years, DiStefano has been at the forefront of the hair transplantation industry, and has performed more than 5,000 successful hair transplant procedures.