Table of contents:
- Various causes of baldness in men
- 1. Heredity
- 2. Hormonal changes
- 3. Certain medical conditions and diseases
- 4. Side effects of medication and therapy
- 5. Heavy stress
- 6. Use of hair care products
- 7. Deficiency of certain nutrients
When hair starts to fall out frequently, most men may worry about going bald. Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, normally your hair will fall out as much as 50-100 strands per day. This is not the cause of baldness, because new hair will grow again.
However, problems arise if a lot of hair falls out and is not accompanied by new hair growth. Especially if the hair follicles start to get damaged and are replaced by scar tissue.
If this happens, you may be able to have a bald head which is usually feared by men, especially those who are relatively young. So, what things can be the causes of baldness in men?
Various causes of baldness in men
Baldness starts with hair loss first which can be caused by various factors. Some of the factors that can cause baldness are heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions, or while you are on medication.
1. Heredity
Most of male baldness at an early age is caused by heredity or genetics. Male pattern baldness (baldness pattern) is different from the pattern of female baldness. Usually this baldness occurs gradually and in a predictable pattern.
Male baldness begins with a receding hairline on the forehead, accompanied by dots or small circular areas of baldness on the scalp. In women, baldness generally begins with thinning hair.
Male and female baldness can be caused by androgenetic alopecia which is a hereditary factor and is influenced by androgen hormones, namely dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Each hair on your head has its own cycle. The hair loss will then be replaced by new hair. The hair loss follicles are replaced with new hairs of the same size.
However, what happens at the onset of baldness is that the hair follicles shrink so that new hair grows thinner and finer in women. Whereas in men hair grows shorter and smoother. The hair follicles shrink further and the hair growth cycle ends, which means that no new hair grows in the end.
Men in general go bald faster than women. In men, baldness can occur at the onset of puberty. Heredity can control at what age you start to go bald and can also affect the degree of baldness.
2. Hormonal changes
Changes or imbalances in body hormones can cause you to experience hair loss which can lead to baldness. One of the hormones associated with hair growth is the androgen hormone or male sex hormone.
One of the functions of the androgen hormone is to regulate hair growth. Research shows that male pattern baldness is related to androgen hormones.
In women, changes in androgen hormones usually occur after menopause, which can lead to hair loss and baldness in middle age. However, some experts say that this is not directly related.
Apart from menopause, hormonal changes in women can also occur during pregnancy and birth. During pregnancy and birth, women usually also experience hair loss. In addition, some hormones are affected by the thyroid gland. So that problems with the thyroid gland can also cause hair loss.
3. Certain medical conditions and diseases
If all of the hair follicles are the same size or if the hair falls out suddenly, it could be due to something other than hereditary, such as a medical condition or a certain illness that you are experiencing.
This condition can cause a rash, redness, pain, flaking of the scalp, broken hair, partial baldness, or the unusual pattern of hair loss that accompanies hair loss, leading to baldness.
There are various medical conditions that can cause hair loss and lead to baldness, such as:
- Thyroid gland disorders
- Anemia
- Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus
- Sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis
- Tinea capitis - a fungal infection of the scalp
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) - commonly occurs in women
The immune system or the immune system can attack the hair follicles. This causes sudden hair loss, leaving fine marks on the scalp, and can result in small circular baldness on the scalp. Hair loss caused by the immune system is known as alopecia areata.
4. Side effects of medication and therapy
Hair loss to baldness can also be caused by medications or treatments that are being carried out. This condition can be caused by the influence of drugs used by people with cancer, arthritis (arthritis), depression, heart and blood vessel disorders, high blood pressure (hypertension), and contraceptives.
Cancer therapy, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy that is done around the neck and head area also has the potential to cause hair loss to baldness a few weeks after treatment is carried out.
See your doctor if hair loss occurs after taking medication or undergoing certain therapies, especially if the condition is accompanied by other health complaints.
5. Heavy stress
Baldness at a young age due to hair loss can also occur due to extreme stress experienced, such as separation from a partner or a family member who has died. In some conditions, severe stress can also cause a psychological disorder known as trichotillomania.
Besides physical trauma, such as surgery, post-illness recovery, or ongoing health problems can also accelerate the hair loss process.
Generally, the body will return to normal after the stress-causing factors are gone and prevent hair loss from returning. At least some people need 6-9 months for the hair to return to normal.
6. Use of hair care products
Although it is rarely done by men, shampooing too often, bleaching, hair coloring, and other hair treatments contribute to thinning hair which makes it brittle quickly. For men with long hair, the habit of tying their hair too tight is also prone to damaging and breaking hair.
If you have a habit that damages your hair, stop immediately. In some cases, hair can grow back normally if the source of the problem is removed.
7. Deficiency of certain nutrients
Quoted from the American Academy of Dermatology Association, low levels of B vitamins - especially vitamin B7 or biotin -, protein, iron, and zinc in the body can be at risk of experiencing hair loss. This can be caused if you have a poor diet or are on a low protein diet.
Eating certain types of food, such as meat, fish, dairy products, nuts, vegetables, and certain fruits can help meet the nutritional needs of the body so that hair can grow back to normal. Meanwhile, if you are experiencing a diet program, this should be consulted with a doctor or nutritionist.
You need to do various methods of dealing with baldness in men, because this condition will certainly affect your self-confidence. Consult a doctor if you experience hair loss that has the potential to cause baldness.
The doctor will make a diagnosis to find out the cause of bald hair, and then determine the appropriate treatment, for example with drugs (minoxidil or finasteride) or hair transplant.
x
