Hair loss is typically a result of heredity, a medical condition or a hormonal change or imbalance. The most common cause of hair loss is hereditary hair loss, which typically occurs or worsens as you age. Hereditary hair loss in men is also called male pattern baldness or by its medical name, androgenetic alopecia. For men, the first sign of male pattern hair loss may be a receding hairline or bald spot.

Hair loss can also be caused by several medical conditions, including alopecia areata, telogen effluvium and trichotillomania. Alopecia areata causes the body’s immune system to attack its own hair follicles. This type of hair loss may be temporary or may need treatment if hair does not grow back. Stress, severe illness or another traumatic event can cause a temporary hair loss condition called telogen effluvium. Typically, after the stress or shock is reduced, the hair will grow back. Trichotillomania is a mental health disorder characterized by compulsive hair-pulling. This condition will last until sufficient mental health treatment is received.

Hair loss can be treated with medication, therapy or a combination, but determining the cause of your hair loss is the first step. If you are experiencing new or worsening hair loss, see your doctor or connect to a medical provider through the hims platform.

It may be easy to determine the cause of hair loss, or a doctor may need to run tests to determine the root cause.

For men who are experiencing a receding hairline or hair loss that worsens slowly with age, the condition may be a result of male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness is permanent hair loss type with no cure, but there are several treatments available to help slow hair loss and even regrow hair.

However, it is recommended that men who are suddenly balding with no apparent cause or pattern seek medical attention to determine the cause. These cases of sudden hair loss may be caused by a medical condition, such as alopecia areata, vitamin deficiency or the side effect of a medication. The good news is that these types of hair loss are typically temporary and resolve when the medical condition is treated.

While the best type of medical treatment depends on the cause of hair loss, male pattern hair loss can be treated with FDA-approved medications. Minoxidil, the generic of Rogaine®, is a topical treatment that is applied directly to the scalp. Minoxidil is best for new hair loss or to treat mild to moderate balding because it works by stimulating hair regrowth. For men who are experiencing thinning hair, minoxidil can help to restore some hair density. Another medication for hair loss is finasteride, an oral medication that treats hair loss by blocking the hormones that inhibit hair growth. Finasteride can help to prevent additional balding and can even stimulate hair regrowth.

However, men experiencing hair loss due to stress, a mental health disorder or a vitamin deficiency should treat the hair loss by treating the root cause. With any hair loss, consult a doctor or other qualified medical professional to determine the proper treatment.

As with any medication, there are potential side effects caused by finasteride. Some common side effects include new problems with your erection, ejaculation or sexual desire, pain in the testicles, rash, breast pain or enlargement and depression. If any of these side effects are severe, bother you, or don’t go away, consult a medical provider. If you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing or hives, seek emergency medical attention.

There isn’t a cure for hair loss, but there are effective medications and hair restoration treatments. While these medications or procedures may slow hair loss or even reverse balding, beware of any company claiming to “cure” your hair loss, as there is no complete cure for hair loss.

There are two hair loss drugs for men: finasteride and minoxidil. Finasteride (generic for Propecia®) is an oral medication used at low dose for hair loss. Minoxidil (generic for Rogaine®) is a topical medication used to stimulate hair regrowth. While finasteride is available only with a prescription, minoxidil is available over the counter without a prescription.

Yes, cornrows or hairstyles that cause consistent “pulling” on your hair can cause a hair loss condition called traction alopecia. Traction alopecia is a form of permanent hair loss, so if you are worried about hair loss, you may want to avoid hairstyles that put continual pressure on hair. If you wear your hair tightly pulled back and start to notice hair loss, consider making changes to your hair style to avoid permanent hair loss.

Hair growth is a process that involves both the growth of new hair and the shedding of old hair. Hair growth occurs in a process called the hair growth cycle, which has four stages: the anagen phase, catagen phase, telogen phase and exogen phase. During the anagen phase, a new hair grows under the skin, which is a process that can last for years. The catagen phase is the regression and detachment of a hair follicle from the skin with an old hair. During the telogen phase, the new hair grows underneath the old, detached hair follicles. Finally, during the exogen phase, the old and detached hair falls out and the new hair shaft emerges.

Throughout the hair growth cycle, it is important that hairs are replaced at the same rate that they fall out to maintain hair density. If old hairs fall out, but the body does not have adequate new hair to compensate, hair loss and thinning will inevitably occur.

Hair loss medication and hair restoration treatment each have their own distinct advantages. Some common hair restoration treatments include low level laser therapy, corticosteroid injections and hair transplantation. Laser therapy has shown promise in studies as a treatment for hair loss, hair transplants can be a permanent solution for an area of thinning or balding and corticosteroid injections can offer relief from alopecia areata. While effective, all types of hair restoration treatment are time consuming and can be expensive.

On the other hand, hair loss medication is generally a less time consuming and more affordable treatment option, but may not offer the long-term solution that a hair transplant or other hair restoration treatment can provide. If you are unsure what option is best for you, consult a dermatologist or other qualified healthcare provider.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) does not recommend one specific treatment for hair loss. Instead, treatment is determined based on the cause of your hair loss and your response to treatments. This is why it’s important to work with a dermatologist or other qualified healthcare provider to determine the best treatment for your specific hair loss. Through hims, you can work with a medical provider to determine whether treatment is appropriate and evaluate the results of your treatment plan.

No, not all of the treatments for hair loss in men are right for women or female pattern hair loss. In fact, finasteride can be very dangerous to a fetus, so women of childbearing years must avoid contact with finasteride. Topical minoxidil can be used by both men and women for hair loss, and spironolactone is sometimes used by some women with female pattern hair loss.