Male pattern baldness is a phenomenon that affects millions of men every year. The issue is, there are multiple reasons that this could be happening. Ranging anywhere from diet to genetics, male pattern baldness can be frustrating for anyone affected.
But don’t fret, as we’ll present the most common reasons so that you know what may be causing the issue.
1. Genetics
Genetics is the number one reason for any cause of male pattern baldness. This means if your grandad and your dad both had male pattern baldness, you might have inherited it too.
Talk with your dad and other male relatives to see when this started happening to them. Often, there are issues with androgens, which are the male sex hormones, that tend to be passed on and cause this issue. Male pattern baldness genetics doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get it though.
2. Thyroid Conditions
Whether it be Hypothyroidism or Hyperthyroidism, prolonged issues with either illness can lead to hair loss. Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland does not produce enough of the thyroid hormone, usually referred to as T4 or thyroxine.
Hyperthyroidism runs the opposite way and your body is producing too much T4. Either can cause the body to start ridding the hair, creating a more sparse display. Treatment for the conditions has shown promising results of regrowth.
3. Cancer
Beyond just the overall disease, cancer and cancer treatments can cause hair loss as well. This can happen for one of two reasons.
The first is cancer itself damaging the cells that create hair. Cancer essentially damages the DNA and RNA that would tell your body to produce hair again, leading to male pattern baldness.
The other problem is from cancer treatment when the hair follicles are damaged from chemotherapy. Typically the targeted radiation causes the same issue as certain cancers. After chemotherapy, there is a chance that the hair grows back due to not being constantly under stress from the treatment.
4. Improper Steroid Use
Male pattern baldness and testosterone go hand-in-hand. When you take anabolic steroids, you run the risk of your body converting testosterone into estrogen, leading to an increase in aromatization.
This aromatization can happen throughout the scalp, leading to an increase in male pattern baldness. Anabolic steroids should never be taken without doctor supervision or unprescribed. The adverse effects can greatly offset the benefits of making gains in the gym.
Male Pattern Baldness Stinks: Stay Ahead of the Game
Male pattern baldness may be uncomfortable to deal with, but there are ways to stay ahead of the curve. Find out your genetic history, stay on top of a healthy diet, and avoid increasing the risks from steroids. Always consult a doctor if hair loss is abnormal though.
If you want to learn more about hair and how to style it in the coming year, be sure to check out the rest of our blog. If you know someone with less hair by the day, be sure to share this article with them.
