The primary cause of male hair loss is heredity. There’s no escaping it. If most of the men in your family lost their hair at an early age, chances are pretty good that you will too.

The scientific explanation for this has to do with the male hormone dihydrotestosterone, or DHT for short. DHT appears to affect the hair follicles (from which the hair grows) by shrinking them down until they are so small that the hair is unable to grow from them anymore. This, of course, doesn’t happen to everyone. That is where the genetic factor comes into play. Certain people have certain cells that are sensitive to DHT. This sensitivity is an inherited trait, which you can get from either your father’s side or your mother’s. Fortunately, there are several effective treatments on the market for hereditary hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia. See your doctor to determine which treatment might work for you.

There are, of course, many other reasons a man could experience hair loss. A major illness, such as lupus or diabetes is sometimes a cause of male hair loss. Prescription medications or medical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation are common causes of hair loss in men and women alike. Physical or emotional stress can also cause a person to lose patches of hair. Unexplained hair loss should always be checked out by your doctor to determine if any of these factors apply.

Another common cause of male hair loss is an immune disease known as alopecia areata. This condition can vary from small patches on the scalp to extensive hair loss all over the scalp and body. There are very effective over the counter and prescription therapies for this condition. Talk to your doctor about it.

No matter what the causes of male hair loss are that you are experiencing, it can be a very distressing situation. Take heart in knowing that your doctor will be able to help you get to the bottom of your condition and provide you with efficient and effective methods of dealing with it.