Hair loss is traumatic for men. Hair loss is common in older men, but it doesn’t make it any less painful. Many men shave their head when they spot signs of a bald patch, but for some, denial is the only option and they continue to comb their hair over the unsightly bald spot in the vain hope nobody sees it. Of course, this isn’t helpful, so let’s look at the most common causes of hair loss in men and see if there is anything we can do about the problem.
Male Pattern Baldness
Men are more prone to hair loss than women, but in men hair loss is usually more dramatic. The majority of men begin to lose their hair from middle age onwards. This type of hair loss is caused by a combination of genetics and male sex hormones and there is not a lot you can do about it. If your dad lost his hair at a relatively early age, the same will happen to you.
The tell-tale signs of male pattern hair loss are a receding hairline and thinning hair on the crown. Prince William is a classic example of male pattern baldness, so even royalty are not immune to the problem.
Stress
Modern life is stressful. Many men work long hours and in some cases, intense stress and anxiety can take its toll on our hair. Dealing with stress puts the body under immense strain. Stress can lead to alopecia areata, which is where large clumps of hair start to fall out. It can also cause telogen effluvium, where a man sheds more hair than normal. In some rare cases, stress can cause trichotillomania, where a man pulls out his hair without realizing what he’s doing.
Unfortunately, stress-related hair loss is a self-fulfilling condition. The more stressed you are about your hair loss, the worse the problem becomes. If you deal with the underlying stress, your hair should recover.
Diet
We are what we eat, so it should come as no great surprise to learn that a poor diet can lead to hair loss. If you are lacking in essential vitamins, it is bound to affect the health of your hair. Eating a healthy diet won’t prevent male pattern baldness, but it’s important that you have enough protein, iron, and healthy fats.
Ask your doctor for blood tests if you have unexplained hair loss. Low iron and ferritin can cause hair loss, but excess Vitamin A can also have the same effect.
Thyroid Disease
An underactive thyroid is a less common cause of hair loss. Hypothyroidism is more common in women, but men are not immune to thyroid problems. An underactive thyroid causes general hair loss, and not just on the head.
See your doctor if you are exceptionally tired, gaining weight for no reason, and your hair is falling out.
There are some great hair loss treatments out there (read Scalp Med reviews for an idea), but it is important to consider whether you may have an underlying health problem first.
Don’t let hair loss get you down. Two-thirds of men will have suffered appreciable hair loss by the age of 35, so you are definitely not alone!