Signs of Male Pattern Baldness but No Hair Loss in My Family?'

Sameer

Question: In my family there is no hair baldness, if masturbation is not the reason according to your blog, so what other reason might be for this?

Answer: Hi Sameer, you are right, masturbation does not cause hair loss.

The most common cause of hair loss worldwide is Male Pattern Baldness so, although it is highly likely that your thinning hair is caused by this condition, we would recommend you visit a specialist for a professional diagnosis.

Regarding what you say about your family, there is a common misconception that if your family does not show signs of genetic hair loss - Male Pattern Baldness in your father, brothers, uncles or grandfathers, or Female Hair Loss in your mother, sisters, aunts or grandmothers - then you cannot be experiencing androgenetic alopecia. This is not true.

People may have the baldness gene but not at all genetically inherited traits are expressed, therefore, you may carry the gene without it activating. As a result, although some people may have the baldness gene, the gene is dormant so they do not experience or show signs of hair loss.

Carriers of the baldness gene can pass it on to their children even if the gene is dormant. So you can still inherit the gene whether your parents have developed androgenetic alopecia or not. In order to pass this gene on it does not matter if the gene is actively expressed or if it is dormant, one or both of your parents simply need to be carriers of it.

Hereditary hair loss is polygenic - this means there are several genes involved. Factors such as the degree of expression (how much hair you lose) and how early it starts, are hugely affected by lifestyle factors.

Although many people still have the basic conception that hair loss is something that should only happen when we are older, this is no longer the case. Whilst perhaps 50 years ago it was rare to start losing your hair in your 20s-30s, now it is now quite common for both men and women to start losing their hair before the age of 30.

Nowadays we live at a faster pace, compared to our grandparents for example, and the accompanying trials of modern life - from stress and smoking to dietary issues - can all act as triggers for genetic hair loss. For anyone whose hair is already thinning due to Male or Female Pattern Hair Loss, these lifestyle factors can also exacerbate their condition.

As before, it is advisable to visit a hair loss specialist who can determine the nature, level and pattern of your shedding. Once they have diagnosed your hair loss condition, they can recommend a personalised regrowth course, featuring the most effective male hair loss treatments and complementary hair growth boosters for your specific needs.