Baldness is the most dreaded and feared of all disorders because it affects the immediate personality. The excess falling of the hair is more common in men then in women. In men the major pattern is the male pattern baldness. We will discuss the problem in the following passage.

Male pattern baldness or Androgenetic alopecia is the most common reason of balding amongst men. It is caused by three major factors.

1. A genetic history for balding in the family.
2. The presence of excessive male hormones.
3. Age

There is a popular perception familial baldness is an indicator but is not completely reliable as predictors of future hair loss. The fact that it runs in the family and your parent or grandparent had a similar pattern does not insure your hair loss development will be the same. However, it is a strong indicator like if your father was completely bald and you begin to lose hair excessively at a young age, it's safe to bet that you will also develop extensive balding.

Both men and women produce hormones such as testosterone and DHT (also known as male hormones). These hormones are important and have a useful role to play in both sexes but it is the fact that as they occur in much higher concentrations in men explains why this type of hair loss is more common in males then females.

The cycle which causes the hair loss starts from when high levels of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase occur in cells of the hair follicle. This enzyme is then converted into DHT. This causes the robust terminal hairs to miniaturize. This leaves soft, fine hairs that provide poor scalp coverage. This shortens the growth phase until these soft hairs are lost for good and thus baldness kicks in. This can occur at any age and sometimes may even stop only to start again.

It is imperative that the person should know the causes of the problem that he is facing. This not only helps them prevent the process but also in the cure.