what causes hair loss in men

Hair loss in men is usually caused by a mix of genetics, hormones, health factors, and lifestyle, with male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) being by far the most common driver.

Quick Scoop: Why Men Lose Hair

• Genetics (male pattern baldness) – This is the number one cause, responsible for the majority of hair loss in men. If close relatives went bald, your hair follicles are likely more sensitive to a hormone called DHT, which slowly shrinks them so hair grows back thinner, shorter, and eventually not at all.

• Hormones (especially DHT) – Normal levels of male hormones can still trigger hair loss in men who are genetically prone; DHT alters the hair cycle, shortens the growth phase, and leads to permanent miniaturization of follicles over time.

• Age – The older you get, the more hair follicles have gone through this miniaturization process, so thinning and receding patterns become more obvious in your 30s, 40s, and beyond.

• Medical conditions – Thyroid problems, anemia, autoimmune conditions like alopecia areata, diabetes, and lupus can all lead to temporary or patchy hair loss.

• Medications and treatments – Cancer therapies (chemotherapy, radiation), some blood pressure and heart drugs, antidepressants, high-dose vitamin A, and certain arthritis and gout medicines can cause shedding as a side effect.

• Stress and shocks to the body – Major surgery, severe illness or fever, rapid weight loss, or intense emotional stress can push many hairs into the shedding phase at once, causing diffuse thinning a few months later.

• Infections and scalp issues – Fungal infections like ringworm or significant scalp inflammation can create scaly patches and bald spots, which often improve once treated.

• Hair pulling and tight styles – Repeated pulling from tight braids, cornrows, weaves, or habitual hair-pulling (trichotillomania) can damage follicles and cause traction alopecia, sometimes permanently if it goes on for years.

• Nutrition and lifestyle – Diets very low in protein or iron, or with too much vitamin A, plus smoking and poor general health, can all contribute to thinning hair or increased shedding.

A quick mental picture

Think of each hair follicle like a tiny plant in a pot:

• Genetics and DHT are like changing the soil so the plant keeps coming back smaller.
• Illness, stress, or crash diets are like a sudden drought that makes many plants drop leaves at once, but some can recover when conditions improve.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.