What Helps With Male Pattern Baldness?

Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is the most common type of hair loss in men. It is caused by genetics and androgen sex hormones.

Androgenic alopecia, also called hereditary hair loss, occurs in people of all sexes. It takes a distinctive pattern depending on a person's sex and therefore is called male pattern hair loss in males and female pattern hair loss in females.

Usually, male pattern hair loss—like balding, thinning, and a receding hairline—occurs around middle age and progresses over time. More than half of men experience noticeable hair loss from male pattern baldness after age 50. Male pattern baldness can start earlier, such as in the late teens or early 20s.

Thinning hair or hair loss from male pattern baldness can be emotionally difficult to deal with. However, hair loss can be treated or even embraced with certain hairstyles. This article talks about the causes of male pattern baldness, hair changes with male pattern baldness, and possible treatment and styling options.

An illustration with reasons for male pattern baldness

Illustration by Zoe Hansen for Verywell Health

Sex and Gender Terminology

"Male" and "female" and "man" and "woman" are general categories to describe sex and gender, but they do not capture every identity. People assigned one sex at birth (male or female) may identify as the opposite gender, somewhere in between, or neither.

For this article, the terms "males" and "men" refer to people assigned male at birth, and "females" and "women" refer to people assigned female at birth. Also, when a health authority or research is cited, the terms for sex or gender from the source are used in this article.

Male Pattern Baldness: Common Causes in Men of All Ages

Most men, at some point in their later years, will notice hair loss. Hair growth slows as a normal part of aging, which can lead to noticeable thinning of the hair.

However, male pattern baldness is different from hair loss as part of the normal aging process. Male pattern baldness is caused by genetics and androgen sex hormones. Hair loss from male pattern baldness usually progresses over time.

Genetics

The most common cause of male pattern baldness is genetics. Male pattern baldness tends to run in families, and having a relative with patterned hair loss is thought to be a risk factor. 

The pathway in which genetics causes male pattern baldness is unclear, as environmental factors may also play a role. However, research suggests that genes associated with male pattern baldness cause hair follicles (the structure in the skin that produces hair) to decrease in size. Eventually, those hair follicles will stop growing hair, leading to bald areas on the head.

Androgen Sex Hormones

Male pattern baldness is also associated with sex hormones called androgens, specifically one called dihydrotestosterone. Androgens play a role in male sexual development and hair growth in people of all sexes. Higher levels of androgens can cause: 

  • Shorter hair growth cycles, meaning hair falls out sooner
  • Growth of shorter and thinner strands of hair
  • Delay in hair growth to replace lost hair

Genetics and androgen sex hormones, together, may be at the root of male pattern baldness. Variations in certain genes may cause an excessive response to androgens that then leads to hair loss.

For example, a variation in one gene in particular, the AR gene, has been shown to cause increased activity of androgen receptors in hair follicles, though it’s unclear exactly how that increases the risk of hair loss.

Other Causes of Hair Loss in Men

Besides male pattern baldness, hair loss can also be a result of certain medical conditions and stress on the body. Hair loss from these factors usually grows back. Other causes of hair loss include:

Alopecia on a person's head

Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealand and © Raimo Suhonen www.dermnetnz.org 2023.

  • Alopecia areata: Some people may experience hair loss due to alopecia areata, a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing them to be unable to grow hair. 
  • Illness: Hair loss can also occur after your body recovers from an illness or operation or from cancer treatment, such as radiation or chemotherapy.
  • Life stressors: Stressful life events, such as a death of a loved one, can also lead to some hair loss, which should go back to normal once the stress is reduced.

Male Pattern Baldness: How Hairline Changes

Oftentimes, the first sign of male pattern baldness is a receding hairline or bald spot on top of the head. Male pattern baldness usually starts with the hairline gradually moving farther backward. In addition, hair at the crown of the head (the top back part) gradually thins, leading to a circular bald spot that increases in size over time. 

As the hairline continues to recede and the hair on top of the head gets finer and thinner, eventually, the hair takes on a U-shaped pattern, with hair on the side of the head and a bald spot on top of the head.

Female Pattern Baldness

Pattern baldness can affect females as well as males. Female pattern baldness may show up as thinning hair on the crown of the head or all over the scalp.

Does Treatment Reverse Male Pattern Baldness?

Male pattern baldness doesn’t need to be treated, but it’s understandable if you want to try treatment to reduce the effects.

Hair loss usually progresses over time, but treatment may help reduce the amount of hair loss and may even help you regrow some hair. Some treatments are available over the counter, while others require a prescription from a healthcare provider.

Male Pattern Baldness Medication and Shampoos

While you can’t stop male pattern baldness from occurring, there are treatment options for when hair loss does occur. Starting treatment soon after the first sign of noticeable hair loss often provides the best results. 

The following medications have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat male pattern baldness:

  • Rogaine (topical minoxidil): Can be found over the counter
  • Propecia, Proscar (finasteride): Requires a prescription

Given how common hair loss is, there are several hair loss treatment plans and kits with products and services that may help regrow hair. Some products are topical, such as shampoos or foams that you apply to the head, while others are in pill form.

Some medical practitioners also provide care specific to hair loss. If you’re interested in learning more about hair loss treatment options, talk to a healthcare provider for recommendations on where to start and which treatment side effects to be aware of.

Procedures to Slow Male Pattern Baldness

Hair loss from male pattern baldness may also be managed with procedures to stimulate hair growth or use existing hair to cover balding areas. Procedures to reduce hair loss may include:

  • Hair transplant: Plugs of hair are removed from areas where hair is still growing and transplanted to balding areas of the head. This might take multiple sessions.
  • Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): Plasma (the liquid portion of blood) containing platelets (the tiny cells involved in clotting) derived from a blood draw is injected into the scalp to stimulate hair growth. This requires a series of injections.
  • Laser or light therapy: Laser devices, light caps, or helmets stimulate hair growth.

Do not try procedures that involve suturing hair pieces to the scalp, as it can result in infection, abscesses (pockets of infection and pus), and scars. In addition, do not try using hair implants made from artificial fibers; the FDA has banned this practice due to the high risk of infection.

Male Pattern Baldness: Styling Advice

Finding the right hairstyle can help you feel more confident with male pattern baldness. Hairstyles can disguise areas of thinning hair or balding. Many styles also can work with those areas, not hiding them but making them a part of the look. 

Fades, crew cuts, and undercuts are all options that can work in your favor. Faux mohawks or long hair slicked back are other options. Some people opt for shaving their heads and embracing the bald look. The key is finding a style you like that works with your hair.

The next time you get a haircut, ask your stylist what they would recommend for your hair type and any areas affected by male pattern baldness. Even if your hair is changing, your hairstyle can change with it.

Emotional Impact of Male Pattern Baldness

Seeing your hair thin or recede or noticing a bald spot forming can bring up feelings of disappointment, embarrassment, and even sadness. Hair can be an important part of your overall look and how you see yourself physically. However, know that the causes are outside of your control. 

Learning to accept hair changes can be difficult, but remember, male pattern baldness is common, and you’re certainly not alone. Whether you try hair loss treatments or a new hairstyle, do what makes you feel good about yourself.

Summary

Male pattern baldness is a common condition and the main cause of hair loss in men. Research suggests that genetics and male sex hormones play a role in male pattern baldness. Thinning hair and a receding hairline are characteristic of male pattern baldness and progress over time.

Hair loss treatments may help counter the effects of male pattern baldness, and certain hairstyles may help embrace the look.

4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. MedlinePlus. Male pattern baldness.

  2. MedlinePlus. Androgenetic alopecia.

  3. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Hair loss: who gets and causes.

  4. American Academy of Dermatology Association. What is male pattern baldness, and can it be treated?

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By Emily Brown, MPH
Emily is a health communication consultant, writer, and editor at EVR Creative, specializing in public health research and health promotion. With a scientific background and a passion for creative writing, her work illustrates the value of evidence-based information and creativity in advancing public health.