Disclaimer: This guide is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
If you are experiencing an emergency, go to your nearest hospital or call 000.
What is it?
Hair loss, or alopecia, typically affects the scalp but can occur anywhere on the body. It is common and usually not a cause for concern. By age 50, about half of Australian men and over a quarter of Australian women experience hair thinning, often due to genetics.
Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is a common form of hair loss in men. This condition can affect both young and older men.
Hair undergoes growth, rest, and renewal cycles. The scalp has about 100,000 hair follicles, each producing hair that grows, falls out, and regrows over three years. Hair loss happens when hair follicles shrink over time, shortening the growth phase. In patterned hair loss, affected follicles produce shorter, finer hairs until they become invisible, resulting in baldness.
Male pattern baldness becomes more common with age. Approximately 20% of men show signs by age 20, increasing to 60% by age 60. It is less common in non-Caucasian men.
Hair loss is often hereditary. If your father or maternal grandfather experienced baldness, your risk is higher. Multiple genes from both parents contribute to androgenetic alopecia.
The impact of baldness varies; for some, it significantly affects the quality of life.
Though there is no cure, treatments can help manage hair loss. Male baldness can also signal other health issues. Consulting a doctor can provide a comprehensive evaluation and advice on managing hair loss and associated health concerns.
Misconceptions
Stress, diet, wearing hats, frequent washing, and alcohol consumption are not linked to hair loss.
Symptoms
Male hair loss starts with a receding hairline at the temples and thinning on the crown, eventually forming a horseshoe pattern of hair.
Male pattern baldness generally does not cause hair loss in areas like the eyebrows, eyelashes, or the hair at the sides and back of the head. Hair loss in these regions is often due to other medical issues.
If you’re unsure or worried about your hair loss, consult your doctor for advice and information.
How we can help
We provide a convenient and secure system for you to see a doctor from the comfort of your own home or on the go with your smart device. You can have a video call on-demand by joining the queue for the next available doctor, or schedule an appointment at a time that suits you. We’re open every day, 24 hours a day – including public holidays – because we know illness and injury don’t adhere to conventional practice hours.
Much like a traditional appointment, your telehealth doctor will conduct a comprehensive assessment, including:
- pre-existing conditions, family history and lifestyle.
- preferred treatments and ability to access them.
- individualised advice to treat your condition.
- referrals or scripts at the discretion of the doctor.
Why choose doctors on demand?
Talk to a doctor about male hair loss.
Our patients choose us for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from managing chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, to addressing specific concerns such as hair loss and acne – or simply because they need a medical certificate or referral. Choose from over 150 doctors with a wide range of qualifications, experiences, and fluency in 31 languages to find the right fit for you. All our doctors are registered in Australia by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for a minimum of 3 years.