Male pattern baldness affects millions of men. While some choose to just let nature take its course, other men agonize about the loss of their hair and wonder if it was something they did that caused them to lose their hair. They are also willing to try just about any treatment that promises them a full head of hair.

First, it is important to define male pattern baldness. The medical term for the condition is Androgenic Alopecia. In general, it refers to hair loss that follows a distinct pattern, typically beginning around the temples or on the crown of the head.

While there is no cure for male pattern baldness, there are treatments that address the symptom of hair loss. There are some products that can slow down the balding process and others that have had success in regrowing hair in some users.

Below are some of the most common myths surrounding the topic of male pattern baldness.

• 
  Going Bald Means I’m Getting Old
  

The fact is that some men as young as 20 years old begin losing their hair due to Androgenic Alopecia. While the chances of losing hair increase with age, it can effect men of any age.

• 
  Men with Male Pattern Baldness are More Sexually Active
  

There is no basis in fact for this myth, but if you ask a group of bald men, they might tend to agree with it. Some have studied the levels of testosterone in relation to the DHT levels (which are a factor in male pattern baldness). In none of the studies was any evidence found that would support this myth.

• 
  There is a Cure for Male Pattern Baldness
  

As mentioned above, there is no cure for the condition. However, in many men the symptom (baldness) can be effectively treated. As such, there is a huge market for hair growth products, though curiously only one treatment is clinically proven. Those men who buy into the very speculative (to say the least) market of ‘natural’ hair growth formulas, often find themselves out of pocket and (still) out of hair. On the other hand, the select few who manage to wade through the herbal gloop that is the market of hair regrowth, and come instead to buy Propecia, often find themselves pleasantly surprised as they ‘outwit’ nature. Therefore, while there is no permanent cure for male pattern baldness, the manifestation of it (baldness) can be stopped and even reversed.

• 
  Certain Hair Products Can Cause Male Pattern Baldness
  

There are no gels, shampoos or other hair products can cause male pattern baldness. If you notice a significant thinning of the hair after using a certain product, particularly if the balding does not follow a distinct pattern, you should immediately discontinue use and see your dermatologist.

• 
  Wearing a Hat Increases the Chances of Male Pattern Baldness
  

This is false. While it seems to make sense that the constant rubbing of the hat against the scalp could cause baldness, it simply is not true.

• 
  Exposure to the Sun Causes Baldness
  

Exposure to the sun, whether it be natural sunlight or through use of a tanning bed, does not contribute to male pattern baldness.

• 
  Trauma
  

The myth says that suffering an emotional trauma can cause male pattern baldness. The fact is that male pattern baldness cannot be brought on by trauma, but some other types of baldness, that is usually temporary, can. As mentioned earlier, if the hair is not coming out in a distinct pattern then it is not likely male pattern baldness.

• 
  Male Pattern Baldness Can be a Sign of a Serious Medical Condition
  

Male pattern baldness is not, but other types of baldness may be a sign of a more serious condition. If you start suddenly losing hair in clumps, you should pay a visit to your doctor.

• 
  My Dad Has a Full Head of Hair, so I Don’t Have to Worry About Male Pattern Baldness
  

The fact that your dad has a full head of hair is no guarantee that you will not suffer from male pattern baldness. The genetics that cause the condition can come from the mother’s side of the family as well as the father’s. Also, the condition may not affect every single male in a family. It’s entirely possible that your dad could have thick hair his whole life yet you could start losing your hair at 20.

Now let’s look at some FACTS about male pattern baldness.

• 
  Caused by Genetics
  

Male pattern baldness is caused by one thing: genetics. It cannot be prevented, and making lifestyle changes, such as changing hair products, cannot slow down the process. The fact is, because the cause is genetics, there really is nothing to do to stop the process. However, as mentioned earlier, there are steps that can be taken to reverse the symptoms and slow down the hair loss.

• 
  There are Effective Treatments (for the symptoms)
  

While no cure for Androgenic Alopecia exists, there are treatments that can slow down the process and even regrow some of the hair that has been lost. Propecia is the most well-known and effective of these treatments.

• 
  For Every Effective Treatment There Are 100 Ineffective Treatments
  

A quick internet search will point you to endless websites, all claiming to have THE answer to your male pattern baldness. Coconut oil, garlic, a special comb….and the list goes on. Unfortunately, most of these will do absolutely nothing to slow down or reverse the balding caused by male pattern baldness. If you are serious about slowing down or reversing the process, see you doctor for recommendations on which of the proven treatments will be right for you.

• 
  Treatment Must Continue For Life
  

This is, unfortunately, true. The treatments that do help with Androgenic Alopecia all must be continued throughout the life of the user. Once you buy Propecia, you will have to keep buying it as long as you want to keep your hair! If the treatments are stopped, the progress that has been made will soon reverse and the balding will continue. This, of course, does not include hair transplants which are a more permanent solution to the problem of balding.

A final fact about male pattern baldness is that more and more men are embracing their balding head rather than trying to fight it. More and more celebrities are proudly sporting a hairless noggin. Some of these include Vin Diesel, Michael Chiklis and Bruce Willis. Along with more confident bald men come more women who find those men attractive.

If you do choose to seek treatment for your hair loss, your search should start at the doctor’s office, not on the internet.