Where is my male pattern baldness coming from

[Apache]

I'm 32 years old with pretty advanced male pattern baldness. My hairline is horseshoe shaped and my crown is bald. The rest of my hair on the top of my head is very thin. I can't even style it anymore. What I'm not sure of, though, is who I got it from.

My father is nearly 60 with only a slight receding hairline. He mentioned about a year ago that the rest of his hair is beginning to thin, but it still looks good and you can't tell at all. His father is in his 80's and still has a decent amount of hair on top of his head.

My grandfather on my mother's side had only a receding hairline when he died at the age of 66.

My grandmother on my mother's side was showing me some pictures of her grandfather and uncles recently, and they were all bald. However, her brother is in his eighties and still has full head of hair.

You can imagine my confusion. Why am I close to bald and 32 years old? Is it possible that I got it from my grandmother on my mom's side?

Thanks.

 

[s.a.f]

Yes.

 

[Hoppi]

yeah, it's very possible your androgen-sensitive follicles came from there. Sucks I know, but hey it's the way genetics works >.<

 

[Brains Expel Hair]

That's pretty much exactly how that hair loss is passed down. Largely X chromosome mediated, you as a male can only get it from your mother and she can get it from either her mother or father. From the sound of it your grandmother got the genes from her father who would have had brothers with the gene also but who would have been incapable of passing it down to his sons (your grandmother's brother).

 

[Apache]

That really sucks!

I've been thinking about Rogaine, but I'm not sure if I want that stuff in my blood stream.

 

[Hoppi]

Well, bear in mind this only means your follicles are SENSITIVE to androgens, etc. It doesn't mean you are genetically destined to be bald! lol

I mean, many people disagree with me on this but.. whatever

Like with me, I do have sensitive follicles, but I probably encouraged things to go a bit wrong with bad diet, stress etc etc.

The follicles are sensitive but it seems to be possible to aggravate them LESS. I'm actually starting quite an interesting thread about this on a forum soon ^_^

The best symptom treatments are the "big 3" - finasteride, nizoral and minoxidil. However I fall into the camp of wanting to outline any underlying factors that may be making things worse, for example stress, diet and lifestyle. Also apparently certain deficiencies can make a big difference.

But yeah anywho, there are always quite a few options open

As for Minoxidil (Rogaine) in your blood... I dunno I mean I haven't heard too many horror stories. Out of the big 3 approach, I would use Nizoral 2% and either mild finasteride or beta-sitosterol, which is the closest natural (but often not as effective) equivalent.

 

[Apache]

I actually agree with you. Although my hairloss is of the male pattern baldness variety, it actually started after a seriously stressful event. Furthermore, it started at the same time as a lot of other health problems for me. I think the issues I was/am dealing with accelerated the process.

I've been on the Specific Carbohydrate diet for a few months to treat a digestive issue and it has caused the hairloss to slow down a bit. Somedays I only get three or four hairs on my hands when I wash my hair.

I think I will give Nizoral and minoxidil a try. I find finasteride too risky, so maybe the natural approach in that regard.

Thanks.

 

[Hoppi]

yeah I personally believe that the most potent internal natural approach for most people is curcumin, resveratrol and beta-sitosterol, optionally with brewer's yeast or coenzyme A for sebum. And then if you want chuck in vitamins, nutrients, omega 3 etc

Also, watch out for (mild) hypothyroidism, as that's the current one I'm suspecting for myself.

 

[Brains Expel Hair]

I would have to disagree, based on the genealogical pattern this sounds like a pretty aggressive and somewhat deterministic form of hair loss. I'd definitely suggest you get started on the meds asap if you're looking to retain whatever hair you've got left, then start looking at the different health aspects that may be confounding things.

 

[Apache]

I would have to disagree, based on the genealogical pattern this sounds like a pretty aggressive and somewhat deterministic form of hair loss. I'd definitely suggest you get started on the meds asap if you're looking to retain whatever hair you've got left, then start looking at the different health aspects that may be confounding things.

Actually, I've already started on the nutritional aspect simply because I've had to for general health. I will start on the medicinal aspect very soon, but I maintain that finasteride is out for me. It just isn't worth the risk. I'd rather be bald than impotent. I know that most guys don't have that side effect, but I don't want to play Russian Roulette.

 

[Hoppi]

I do know what you mean

I would suggest the combo I gave before as a less risky, natural internal regimen, oh and you can throw in lignans if you want - 7-HMR or SDG. Oh and maaayyybe vitamin D, as apparently it's antimicrobial so that will help with inflammation I would think.

I mean beta-sitosterol probably still has a MILD risk but.. it's mild

Besides, I mean what I do is if I notice sides, I drop or reduce the drug! That should probably work, I'd imagine that permanent sides will only arise if you notice sides but don't actually act on them.

And besides, I've been in a thread where people were actually suggesting combos to treat or CURE finasteride "permanent" sides! So I know that should never be the chosen option but, good to know it's there eh?

Hoppi!

 

[Brains Expel Hair]

Actually, I've already started on the nutritional aspect simply because I've had to for general health. I will start on the medicinal aspect very soon, but I maintain that finasteride is out for me. It just isn't worth the risk. I'd rather be bald than impotent. I know that most guys don't have that side effect, but I don't want to play Russian Roulette.

Better become a fan of green and black tea then (shares some of the similar benefits of finasteride along with other health benefits).

 

[dougfunny]

I actually agree with you. Although my hairloss is of the male pattern baldness variety, it actually started after a seriously stressful event. Furthermore, it started at the same time as a lot of other health problems for me. I think the issues I was/am dealing with accelerated the process.

I've been on the Specific Carbohydrate diet for a few months to treat a digestive issue and it has caused the hairloss to slow down a bit. Somedays I only get three or four hairs on my hands when I wash my hair.

I think I will give Nizoral and minoxidil a try. I find finasteride too risky, so maybe the natural approach in that regard.

Thanks.

Don't delude yourself into thinking stress and diet have anything to do with hair loss. I challenge anyone to show me a single good study that shows this.

The fact is the only drug that is going to make any difference in the long run in finasteride. Any hair you grow with minoxidil you will lose in a year or two without finasteride as well.

And for God's sake don't waste your time and money on supplements. There is no real evidence that they do anything. Again I challenge anyone to present me with a study showing they do.

 

[Apache]

Stress and diet don't cause male pattern baldness. That is a given. But I promise you that both can accelerate it. As I stated before, I've had to change my diet because of other health reasons. In doing so, my hair isn't falling out as fast. I can tell this when I wash my hair and comb it afterwards. Not as much comes out. I wouldn't say that a healthy diet will make your hair come back, but for me, and probably others, it has slown the progression.

I'm pretty sure vitamins can make hair stronger and less likely to break, which obviously is helpful.

I'm going to give minoxidil and Nizoral a try. I think I would be happy simply to keep the hair I have.

 

[dougfunny]

You won't keep the hair you have without finasteride..

 

[Hoppi]

Different treatments for different people though dougfunny. Like Brains and gluten, I mean shock-horror that wouldn't have worked for some guy who'd never touched bread in his life lol

And that guy who masturbated like 10 times a day and then stopped and his hair grew back xD And the other couple of guys who had the same thing.

Or the guy who gave up inflammatory foods.

You can keep arguing a groundless point if you waaaant but I will keep finding more and more examples and eventually photographs too, and... I'm afraid there's a limit how long the "finasteride is the only cure" argument will hold water

You can keep going for a bit longer though if you want

 

[s.a.f]

Dougfunny is right, forget theories and go with proven scientific treatments.

 

[dougfunny]

And that guy who masturbated like 10 times a day and then stopped and his hair grew back xD And the other couple of guys who had the same thing.

Hoppi just because someone says something does not mean it is true.

And seriously, masturbation?

Hair falling out, growing hair on your palms.. these are all folk legends told to boys to keep them from masturbating. They have no basis in reality.

 

[Hoppi]

I'm only repeating what people said happened to them. I believe them because they sounded very honest and there were multiple testimonies.

Anything that messes with your sex hormones can mess with your hair. Same goes for inflammation.

 

[dougfunny]

except sex does not have any statistically significant effect on hormone levels.

and i am sure the several of the morons you see on tv that insist they have been abducted by aliens actually believe it and are being quite honest. that does not change the fact that it is utter nonsense.