Men's Health
Low Testosterone: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
Signs of low testosterone in men, how it is properly diagnosed, and what treatment involves.
Updated 2026-09-11 · 1 min read
Male Pattern Hair Loss: Causes and Treatment Options
Why men lose hair, what treatments have evidence behind them and when hair loss needs a medical check.
By Editorial Team · Updated · 1 min read
This article is awaiting review by a qualified medical professional.
Quick answer
Male pattern hair loss is caused by genetics and sensitivity to the hormone DHT. Minoxidil and finasteride are the main evidence-backed treatments and work best when started early, and hair transplant surgery is a permanent option for suitable candidates.
Male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) is the most common cause of hair loss in men. It usually starts with a receding hairline or thinning at the crown.
What causes it?
It is driven by genetics and sensitivity of the hair follicles to a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Over time, affected follicles shrink and produce shorter, finer hairs. It is not caused by hats, shampoo or frequent washing.
Other causes of hair loss
Not all hair loss is male pattern. Other causes include:
- Alopecia areata (an autoimmune condition causing patchy loss)
- Telogen effluvium (shedding after stress, illness, surgery or crash dieting)
- Thyroid disorders
- Iron or other nutritional deficiencies
- Fungal scalp infections
- Some medicines
Treatment options
Treatments work best when started early, and they only work while you keep using them.
- Minoxidil (topical): available over the counter in many countries and applied to the scalp. It can slow loss and help regrowth in some men.
- Finasteride (oral): a prescription medicine that lowers DHT. It can have side effects, including sexual side effects in a small number of men, so discuss it with a doctor.
- Hair transplant surgery: moves hair from denser areas of the scalp. It is a permanent option for suitable candidates.
- Low-level laser devices: some evidence of benefit, but weaker than for minoxidil or finasteride.
Be cautious about products that promise dramatic results, and about supplements without proven benefit.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if hair loss is sudden, patchy, comes with itching, redness or scaling, or starts at a young age, or if you also have other symptoms such as fatigue or weight change. A doctor can check for treatable underlying causes.
Frequently asked questions
Can hair loss be reversed?
Male pattern hair loss cannot be cured, but treatment can slow it and may regrow some hair for as long as you keep using it. Loss caused by illness, stress or deficiency is often reversible once the cause is treated.
Do hats or frequent washing cause hair loss?
No. Neither causes male pattern hair loss.
Does minoxidil work?
It can slow hair loss and help regrowth in some men, but results vary, take months to appear and fade if you stop using it.
Sources
This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace advice from a doctor or other qualified health professional. See our medical disclaimer.
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