The hair loss men experience as they age tends to follow a characteristic pattern. The hair above the temples starts to disappear and the hairline recedes until you are left with the familiar "M" shape. A bald spot also forms at the crown and expands with time. The condition is called male pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia.
Cause
Scientists have not fully mapped causes of male hair loss, but they know heredity plays a major role. Variations in a particular gene, the androgen receptor--or just AR--are a likely culprit, causing increased activity levels among hair follicles' androgen receptors, according to the Genetics Home Reference, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. When hair follicles contain too much androgen, hair tends to grow shorter and thinner, and new hairs come in more slowly when old ones fall out.
Effects
Typical male pattern baldness does not harm a man medically but is often a cosmetic concern. The majority of men who are balding are highly displeased with the circumstance and "would do anything to change it," according to the American Hair Loss Association. The condition can lead to anxiety and psychological stress. It can affect relationships and careers, according to the organization, which adds that it is "not uncommon for men to change their career paths because of their hair loss."
Time Frame
By age 50, about 85 percent of men have "significantly" thinning hair, according to the American Hair Loss Association. But quite often, the problem begins much earlier: By age 35, approximately two thirds of men already have "appreciable" hair loss. And among those who eventually experience male pattern baldness, 25 percent saw it start before age 21.
Solutions
Two medications have U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for prevention or treatment of hair loss: minoxidil, a topical product sold under the brand Rogaine; and finasteride, an oral medication that sells as Propecia or Proscar. These medications slow hair loss and may promote some new growth. The effects stop when you discontinue the products. Another option is hair transplantation, in which a doctor removes hair follicles from one area and redistributes them in the bald area.
Warning
What you might take for normal hair loss is not always normal. It could instead be a sign of an underlying illness such as diabetes or lupus, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. An underactive or overactive thyroid gland can cause hair loss, as can certain medications, such as blood thinners and antidepressants. Call your doctor if your hair falls out in an atypical pattern, such as clumps or all-over shedding.
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