Hair loss (alopecia) may be caused by aging, genetics, hormone changes or medication, and can affect both men and women. Hair loss may fall out of the scalp in patches, or may even affect the entire body. The most common type of hair loss, however, is known as androgenic alopecia (or male pattern baldness).
While baldness may be caused by a variety of factors (such as hormonal changes, medical conditions, medications, hairstyles that pull at your hair, extreme stress, etc.) male pattern baldness is generally inherited genetically and is caused by excess androgens -- male sex hormones. Male pattern hair loss is diagnosed by the pattern its balding causes, which tends to be a receding hairline and thinning hair on the crown of the head.
No cure currently exists for male pattern baldness, but many treatments have become available. However, if you are losing your hair in patches, you are shedding a lot of hair, your hair is breaking, or if it is accompanied by redness, scaling, pus, or pain your hair loss may be due to a separate condition. Talk to your doctor for more information regarding the cause of your hair loss and to discuss the treatment options available to you.
Common Medication
Treatment Options
Below is a list of common medications often prescribed to help treat male pattern hair loss, which a doctor or provider can prescribe for you for just $5 through SesameRx.
Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your doctor.
Below are common treatment options for hair loss. During your appointment, talk to your doctor about what treatment plan is right for you.
Medications for male pattern hair loss are available in several forms including liquid, foams, and shampoos which must be applied to the scalp daily, and ingestible pills which are taken once a day.
The most common medications used to treat hair loss include:
- Minoxidil (generic for Rogaine): One of the most popular topical treatments and is available without a prescription. Minoxidil is generally safe for most people but has been known to cause scalp irritation or unwanted hair growth on adjacent skin, such as the face and the hands.
- Finasteride (generic for Propecia): One of the most widely used ingestible medications for male pattern baldness, Finasteride does come with the rare possibility of diminished sex drive and sexual function, as well as increased risk of prostate cancer.
Both of these medications take a few months of consistent use before you may notice results. Do not discontinue use of these medications without talking to your doctor first.
Hair transplants are a type of dermatological cosmetic surgery in which the surgeon moves hair that you already have (generally in the back of your head) to the areas where hair is thinning or bald. There are a couple of different ways of achieving this: the first involves cutting a strip of skin from the back of the scalp and using the hair follicles it contains, while the other moves individual follicles. Hair transplants are an outpatient procedure but usually require some anesthesia, as well as some recovery time. It’s important to note that these procedures will not slow the progression of hair loss. Because of this, you may need a hair transplant more than once to get the result you want. These surgeries are not covered by most insurance plans.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved a low-level laser device that is used to stimulate hair follicles and cell growth. Some studies have shown that laser therapy improves the volume and appearance of hair, though more studies are needed to show long-term effects.