According to the American Hair Loss Association, two-thirds of men in the United States will start to experience some degree of baldness by the age of 35. This figure rises to about 85 percent by the age of 50.
However, male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, can affect both men and women, albeit in different ways.
Medline notes that androgenetic alopecia is a common form of hair loss in both genders, beginning as early as the teen years and becoming more pronounced with age.
The pattern of hair loss differs between men and women. Men usually lose hair rapidly from specific areas, forming an ‘M’ shape, while women experience thinning and widening at the center parting rather than a receding hairline.
The American Hair Loss Association identifies this condition as the cause of 95 percent of hair loss cases in men. Meanwhile, the NHS in the UK estimates that 30 percent of women will be affected by this condition by the age of 70.
In men, hair loss can be associated with medical conditions such as coronary heart disease and enlarged prostates. For women, it can result from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which may also cause symptoms like menstrual irregularities, excessive hair growth, and fertility issues.
This condition is largely hereditary, meaning it is passed down genetically from one’s parents. There is currently no complete cure aside from hair transplant surgery.
The explanation for this phenomenon lies in biology, specifically involving the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), according to Harley Street Hair Transplant. DHT is a by-product of testosterone, which men have in much larger amounts compared to women, though it can also be found in women.
Medical News Today clarifies that DHT itself does not cause androgenetic alopecia, but it can contribute to hair loss. When DHT binds to hair follicles, it causes them to shrink and eventually stop regrowing, leading to baldness.
The theory suggests that higher levels of DHT in the body increase the likelihood of hair loss.
Aside from biological reasons, the Wimpole Clinic also suggests that balding in men is more noticeable, which may contribute to perceptions of more frequent hair loss.
The clinic explains: “[I]t is much more obvious when a man begins to lose his hair. Women who suffer from female pattern baldness lose hair differently. Female pattern hair loss presents at a slower rate with hair thinning all over the scalp and therefore gives the appearance of thinning rather than loss.
“Men, however, tend to lose a lot of hair over a shorter period from the specific areas of the crown and the hairline.”
While male pattern baldness is typically inevitable, medical experts suggest that certain measures can slow its progression.
For instance, the Wimpole Clinic advises against ‘inflaming’ the hair follicles with excessive styling or the use of chemicals, such as hair dye or heat-based styling tools.
Additionally, maintaining a balanced diet and taking supplements can encourage hair growth by keeping follicles healthy. Nutrients like iron, zinc, vitamins, and protein are particularly beneficial.