Male Pattern Baldness: Prevalence, Causes, and Treatment Trends – A Statistical Report
Observing receding hairline?
Did you know one in every two men experiences excessive hair loss by the age of 40?
Men may experience hair loss due to a condition called Male Pattern Baldness.
It can lead to bald patches, receding hairline, or excessive hair loss.
This report is a detailed examination of the disorder, statistically representing prevalence, causes, and treatments.
- The total prevalent cases of Male Pattern Baldness were more than 194,000,000 in the US in 2021.
- Germany had the highest number of cases of Male Pattern Baldness, with more than 22,000,000 cases, followed by the UK in 2021.
- A 2020 survey by ISHRS stated that the number of hair restoration surgeries performed worldwide increased by 64% from 2014 to 2020.
- The prevalence of Male Pattern Baldness increases with age, with up to 85% of men over 50 experiencing hair loss.
- Male Pattern Baldness is complex and can involve several genes, but the Androgen receptor gene on the X chromosome is the most well-known genetic factor.
- The X chromosome has more than 250 gene loci associated with Male Pattern Baldness.
- Minoxidil, and Finasteride are two FDA-approved medications that effectively treat men’s hair loss.
What is Male Pattern Baldness?
Male pattern baldness is a common condition in which men experience gradual hair loss.
It typically starts at the hairline and temples and progresses to the crown of the head.
It is named so (Male Pattern) because it follows a distinct pattern of hair loss that differs from the pattern seen in women.
The hair loss disorder is also called Androgenetic Alopecia.
Male pattern baldness is caused by genes and the hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
DHT is a derivative of Testosterone, and it can cause hair to shrink and produce thinner, shorter hair.
Over time, the hair follicles can be so small that they stop producing hair.
Male pattern baldness affects roughly two-thirds of men by age 35, becoming even more common with age.
85% of men above 50 suffer from Male Pattern Baldness
Male Pattern Baldness becomes more common with age.
It is estimated that approximately two-thirds of men will experience hair loss by age 35, and by age 50, about 85% of men will have significant hair loss.
While hair loss in men can begin at any age, it typically occurs in men in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.
The risk of Male Pattern Baldness increases with age because the hair follicles become more sensitive to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) as men get older.
However, not all men will experience hair loss as they age.
Also, the degree of hair loss can vary widely from person to person.
Some men may experience only minor thinning, while others may lose a significant amount of hair.
Hair loss severity increases with age
The severity of hair loss in men can increase with age.
The Norwood-Hamilton scale is a classification that shows that the severity of hair loss in men increases with age.
Multiple studies have studied the severity of Male Pattern Baldness increases with age.
A 2012 study has shown that males above the age of 51-60 years experience mild hair loss with receding hairline or growing bald spots.
With increasing age, most people above 70 experience severe hair loss.
Ethnicity may or may not affect the prevalence
The prevalence of Male Pattern Baldness has been studied according to Ethnicities as well.
The earliest research data has been dated to the 1970s and 2000s.
It has shown that the prevalence of MPB is more in the Caucasian population while African American population is the most prevalent.
Recent review studies have also concluded similar results.
The exact reasons for these ethnic differences in the prevalence of MPB are not fully understood.
They are likely due to genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors.
Causes of Male Pattern Baldness
The cause of Male Pattern Baldness is not fully understood.
It is said to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors.
Polygenetic responses of Male Pattern Baldness
Genetic factors primarily cause Male Pattern Baldness.
It is believed to be an inherited condition passed from generation to generation.
The genetic cause of Androgenetic Alopecia is complex and involves multiple genes.
A study concluded that over two hundred independent, novel genes are associated with Male Pattern Baldness.
The gene-based analysis identified 112 autosomal genes and 13 X chromosome genes that were associated with baldness.
The most significant gene is the Androgen receptor gene, which is located on the X chromosome.
Hence, the condition shows a polygenic response. A relationship between the degree of polygenetic density and hair loss severity has been studied in the research.
It shows the risk of Male Pattern Baldness increases with the percentage of polygenic presence.
It shows the proportion of participants in the four baldness groups for each polygenic risk decile of male pattern baldness.
Of those with a baldness polygenic score below the median, 14% reported severe hair loss, and 39% reported no hair loss.
By contrast, of those with a polygenic score in the top 10%, 58% reported moderate-to-severe hair loss.
Association of environmental causes with Male Pattern Baldness
Environmental factors such as stress, smoking, and exposure to certain chemicals or toxins may exacerbate or accelerate hair loss in individuals.
The environmental causes are a risk in those genetically predisposed to Male Pattern Baldness.
Recent studies have reported an association between male pattern baldness and an increased risk of developing Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and Hypertension.
The study established a link between men experiencing hair loss and their risk of developing Coronary heart disease.
Treatments for Male Pattern Baldness
The graph shows the risk percentage in men with varied levels of baldness.
Being a genetic condition, Male Pattern Baldness cannot be cured completely.
But, there are several treatment options available to manage the condition and control hair loss.
Treatments for Male Pattern Baldness include FDA-approved medications such as Finasteride and Minoxidil, low-level laser therapy, and Platelet-rich plasma treatment.
These treatments can help slow down or stop hair loss and promote growth, but success rates and effectiveness may vary.
A research study studied the efficacy of doctors’ treatment options for Male Pattern Baldness.
Finasteride works effectively in the long term
Finasteride is a medication commonly used to treat Male Pattern Baldness (Androgenetic alopecia) in men.
Finasteride works by inhibiting the activity of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, which is responsible for converting Testosterone into DHT.
By reducing the levels of DHT in the scalp, Finasteride can slow down or even reverse the miniaturization of hair and hair loss.
The efficacy of Finasteride was shown in a five-year study.
It showed an effective increase in hair follicles on the head after one and five years, respectively.
Topical Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a medication that is commonly used to treat Male Pattern Baldness.
It is a topical solution applied directly to the scalp and works by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles.
It can stimulate hair growth and prevent further hair loss.
A clinical study showing the effectiveness of Minoxidil as a treatment for Male Pattern Baldness.
It concluded that 20% of patients had Ludwig Scale stage 3 hair loss before treatment began, and the remaining 80% had stage 2 hair loss.
By the six-month interval, no patients were beyond stage 1.
20% of patients had even restored a healthy hairline, with no hair loss
Platelet-rich Plasma Therapy- the latest treatment
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment for Male Pattern Baldness involves using a patient’s blood to create a concentration of platelets rich in growth factors.
This concentration is then injected into the scalp at the site of hair loss to stimulate hair growth.
PRP treatment is typically done in several sessions. Each spaced several weeks apart.
Several studies on PRP treatment for male pattern baldness found that PRP was associated with significant improvements in hair growth, hair density, and hair thickness.
The analysis found that PRP had an overall success rate of 70.91%.
The graph below shows a significant decrease in the HPT score showing better hair growth after each session of PRP.
Low-level Laser Therapy
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) involves using low-level laser or light-emitting diode (LED) devices to stimulate hair growth.
The devices work by emitting light at a specific wavelength that is believed to promote cellular activity in hair follicles.
A 2022 research studied the efficacy of low-laser therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia patients between 18-40 years old.
It concluded that overall clinical effectiveness was nearly 80% by summing up the moderately and significantly effective rate.
Conclusion
Male Pattern Baldness is a predetermined genetic disorder due to an excessive response to Androgens.
This condition affects up to 85% of males by the time they reach the age of 50.
Receding hairline, frontal baldness, or bald spots on the head are common symptoms of the disorder.
It is a very common disorder affecting around 50 million men in the US itself.
An unhealthy lifestyle has added up to the causes of the disorder, increasing the number of cases.
Future epidemiology has predicted even a rise in the baldness quotient worldwide.
The good news is that effective treatment options are available to manage the disorder and control hair loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of the population has Male Pattern Baldness?
Approximately 85% of men experience male pattern baldness by the age of 50. It is a common condition influenced by genetic and hormonal factors. The prevalence varies with age, and some men may start losing hair as early as their 20s.
How rare is Male Pattern Baldness?
Male pattern baldness is not rare; it’s a common condition affecting about 85% of men by age 50. While it varies in severity, the majority of men experience some degree of hair loss due to genetic and hormonal factors.
Is Male Pattern Baldness curable?
Male pattern baldness is not curable, but various treatments may slow its progression or promote hair regrowth. These include medications like Minoxidil and Finasteride, hair transplant surgery, and lifestyle changes. However, results vary, and complete restoration is often not guaranteed.
Can a bald man grow hair back?
While a complete reversal of Male Pattern Baldness is challenging, some men can experience hair regrowth with treatments like Minoxidil or Finasteride. Hair transplant surgery is another option, providing more permanent results by transplanting hair follicles from one part of the body to the scalp.
WowRx uses only high-quality sources while writing our articles. Please read our content information policy to know more about how we keep our content reliable and trustworthy.
