Male-pattern baldness is a genetically determined condition,
which results in a predictable pattern of hair loss. The
scientific name for pattern baldness is androgenetic alopecia
(ANN-droe-jih-NET-ick al-oh-PEE-shuh). Most hair loss is due to
this condition. It typically begins with a receding hairline,
and a thinning of hair on the crown. Eventually, you may be left
with only a ring of hair on the sides and back of your head. The
cause of hair loss is a substance known as 'DHT,' which your
body creates from the male hormone, androgen (ANN-droe-jin).
Excess levels of DHT can cause hair follicles to thin, and
finally die out; at this point, hair stops growing. Currently,
there are two medications that may stabilize hair loss in
certain patients, or even assist in partial re-growth of hair.
One is a topical solution called minoxidil (min-OX-ih-dil); the
other is a pill called finasteride (fih-NAS-ter-ide). However,
these medicines don't work for everyone, and if they're
discontinued, the new growth will fall o