Causes of Hair Loss in Men

Ageing is not the only cause of male pattern baldness, as popularly thought. Loss of hair in men is generally attributed to androgenetic alopecia. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the male hormone which causes baldness and it mainly affects hair follicles that are more susceptible to this hormone. This implies that certain hair follicles are sensitive to DHT. These follicles are located on top of the head, on the crown and front portion of the head.

American Hair Loss Association says that minimum 2/3rds of men in the United States get affected by this condition called androgenetic alopecia by the time they turn 35. Usual symptoms are thinning and loss of hair. Androgenetic alopecia is usually linked to a number of genetic factors.

Sensitivity to DHT
A leading cause of androgenetic alopecia is found in sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone. DHT also happens to be a byproduct of testosterone. Hair follicles tend to shrink because of DHT. If you are suffering from androgenetic alopecia, your hair follicles will remain intact for a very a short span of time. You are also less likely to grow hair which not only look healthy but also show the shine and brilliance of healthy hair. It has been identified by American Hair Loss Association and typically leads to thinning of hair and ends up in loss of hair.

Genetic
The way hair follicles become sensitive to DHT is a condition which is inherited from one of the parents. Genes inherited from either your father's or mother's family play a significant role in the development of your hair. Caucasian men are affected by androgenetic alopecia the most and next in line are a small percentage of African American and Asian men. Usually Native American men are not affected by male pattern of baldness.

Androgenic Hormones
The most prevalent male hormones in anyone’s body are testosterone, androsteinedione and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). They are produced by all women and men even though they are known as male hormones. These hormones are present in different percentages in men and women but have an important role to play in both. However, because androgens are found more in men than women, that is why men are frequently plagued by hair loss compared to women.

These hormones have an adverse effect on a person’s hair follicles. An enzyme known as 5-alpha-reductase enters in the cells of hair follicles and that too in high quantities. After this, testosterone is changed into DHT by this enzyme. Further, the stronger hair diminishes because of DHT. This leaves the scalp with shorter hair, which suddenly decreases the hair coverage on the scalp.

Aging
Older people tend to get affected by Androgenetic alopecia more than others. The American Hair Loss Association has recorded that 85% of older men have this tendency. It is also found to be much more in older women.

Whatever the causes, hair loss can be easily prevented. There are several hair care products to help reduce hair loss in men. You can also apply some home remedies along with taking hair loss treatments to prevent further spread of the problem. If you have been suddenly suffering from hair loss, you can be rest assured that there is a solution.