Overview
Male hair loss describes thinning or loss of hair on the scalp, face, or body. The most common type in men is inherited pattern hair loss, which usually develops gradually over time. Other causes include autoimmune conditions, infections, nutritional problems, stress, and side effects from medicines or medical treatments.
Key Symptoms
Symptoms can include a receding hairline, thinning on the top of the head, a widening part, or more hair than usual on a pillow, in the shower, or on a comb. Some people notice patchy bald spots or sudden shedding. Depending on the cause, there may also be scalp itching, redness, scaling, pain, or broken hairs.
Causes and Risk Factors
Inherited male pattern hair loss is linked to genes and hormone-related changes in hair follicles. Risk factors for hair loss in general include increasing age, family history, major physical or emotional stress, recent illness, rapid weight loss, poor nutrition, and some medicines. Hair loss may also be related to thyroid problems, iron deficiency, autoimmune disease, fungal infection of the scalp, or hairstyles and grooming habits that pull tightly on the hair.
Who Is Affected
Hair loss can affect males of many ages, but inherited pattern hair loss becomes more common with age. It can happen in teenagers and young adults as well as older men. People with certain medical conditions, recent severe stress, or a family history of hair loss may be more likely to notice it.
Diagnosis and Tests
A healthcare professional will usually ask about when the hair loss started, how quickly it changed, family history, recent illness, stress, diet, and medicines. They may examine the scalp and hair pattern closely and sometimes perform a gentle hair-pull test. Depending on the suspected cause, blood tests or a small scalp sample may be used to look for conditions such as thyroid disease, low iron, infection, or autoimmune problems.
Treatment Categories
Treatment depends on the cause of the hair loss. Options may include treating an underlying medical condition, addressing scalp infection or inflammation, changing hair care practices, or discussing medicines and procedural options for pattern hair loss with a qualified clinician. Some people also choose cosmetic approaches such as different hairstyles, hair fibers, wigs, or head coverings.
Living With It
Hair loss can affect self-image, confidence, and emotional well-being. Some people feel stress, embarrassment, or sadness, especially if the change is sudden or happens at a young age. Support from family, friends, support groups, or a mental health professional may help.
When to Seek Medical Care
See a healthcare professional if hair loss is sudden, patchy, painful, itchy, or linked with redness or scaling of the scalp. Medical care is also important if you notice hair loss after starting a new medicine, along with tiredness or weight changes, or together with changes in nails, skin, or body hair. Early assessment can help identify treatable causes.
Questions to Ask a Healthcare Professional
You may want to ask what type of hair loss you might have, what tests are needed, and whether an underlying health problem could be involved. Other useful questions include what treatment categories are available, how long improvement may take, and what warning signs should lead to follow-up. Ask whether your hair care routine or any medicines could be contributing.