What causes hair loss in men?

What is the most common cause of hair loss in men?

The foremost cause of hair loss in men is a combination of the hormonal and genetic factors; collectively known as ‘Androgenetic’;-from Androgen-Male hormone, Genetic- Gene. This hormone is what causes hair loss in men, particularly the young men. The  hormone circulates in blood and causes the hair follicle to shrink; the phenomenon being known as DHT (Dehydrotestosterone). Testosterone is the male hormone produced in testes. In some men, certain areas of scalp are prone to the hair follicle shrinkage when prompted by the balding gene and enacted by DHT. Hair follicles shrink progressively till they are only too small to allow the hair growth. The hair shaft reduces gradually; both in thickness and length, with ultimate loss of hair. This condition is professionally known as ‘miniaturization’. The hair follicles in this case become dormant that is they are alive but non functional.

What causes hair Loss in men?

Telogen Effluvium, also known as ‘deffluvium’, is considered the second most common cause of hair loss in men. Next only to the Androgenetic alopecia, Telogen Effluvium also is one common cause of loss of hair in most of the young adults, having the symptoms of baldness. It is a stress related condition and is usually prompted by a breaking news of tragedy in family or friends, or similar other stressors. The stressor prompts mass scale shifting of hair from growing phase (anagen) to the rest phase (telogen). The hair follicles allow the hair to fall without replacement, with the consequent loss of hair in men. Unlike other hair loss conditions, telogen effluvium affects the whole scalp.

What is third most common cause of hair loss in men?

Alopecia areata is the third most common cause of hair loss in men. In this type, the hair loss or baldness appears in the form of small discontinuous, irregularly distributed patches of baldness. It is an autoimmune disorder wherein the antibodies, which are meant to attack the intruders (like pathogens) start attacking ones own body. The hair loss occurs due to the damage done to the bulbous part of the follicle. In extreme cases the hair loss is as swift as a matter of just a few days.

Do some physical factors cause hair loss in men?

In addition to the chemical or microbiological causes (Androgenetic alopecia and Chronic Dandruff), some physical factors too may cause hair loss. Two such causes are traction alopecia and trichotillomania. In the former case hair loss occurs due to pulling of hair as in pony tying in men, and due to irritated pulling of hair by children in the later case on account of psychological factors.

What are the other causes of hair loss in men?

Some carcinogens (cancer producing chemicals) have been detected in tobacco and found to have potential for causing hair loss. Hair loss is also an aftereffect of radiation as in case of cancer treatment. Hormonal therapy may also induce hair loss.