URMC / Encyclopedia / Content Search Encyclopedia What Do You Know About Male Pattern Baldness? Some men cope with their inevitable loss of hair by wearing a cap most of the time. Some use an artificial hairpiece to cover their loss. Still others shave their whole head. But there's more to know about baldness than toupees. Learn more by taking this quiz. 1. An average scalp has how much hair? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is The average number of strands on the human scalp ranges from 90,000 to 150,000. A. 50,000 strandsB. 120,000 strandsC. 200,000 strandsD. 220,000 strands 2. How much hair does the average healthy scalp lose each day? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is This loss is part of the normal cycle of hair growth. If you notice more hair loss than this, see your healthcare provider to find out the cause. A. 10 strandsB. 50 strandsC. 100 strandsD. 200 strands 3. How long can each strand of hair grow before falling out? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Each strand grows at a rate of about 1/2 an inch a month. After finishing its growth, the strand will rest, then fall out. A new strand begins growing within 6 months. Baldness occurs when the new strand fails to begin growing, or when the new hair strand is smaller and finer than the ones that grew from the follicle before that. A. 30 daysB. 1 yearC. 2 to 5 yearsD. 7 years 4. What percentage of men has lost hair by age 50? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is By the time men turn 60, more than 2/3 of them are either bald or have some hair loss. A. 10%B. 30%C. 45%D. 50% 5. What is the cause of male pattern baldness? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Researchers don't fully understand the balding process. But they do know that the male hormone testosterone plays an important role. Heredity also determines whether a man will lose some or all of his hair, and when. The medical term for male pattern baldness is androgenetic alopecia. A. HeredityB. TestosteroneC. Ultraviolet raysD. A and B 6. Where does hair loss usually start? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is The process is gradual, with the hairline moving back slowly. The hairline moves back into an M shape, and the crown begins to thin. Eventually, only hair around the sides of the head is left. Women also may have hair loss as they age, but the pattern is an overall thinning of the hair. The airline does not recede. A. At the back of the neckB. At the hairlineC. At the crownD. Above the ears 7. Besides heredity, what can cause hair loss? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is A serious illness or major surgery can result in hair loss. Hormonal problems such as an overactive or underactive thyroid can lead to hair loss. Medicines that can cause hair loss include anticoagulants, chemotherapy medicines, gout medicine, birth control pills, and antidepressants. Too much vitamin A can cause hair loss. Hair loss may also be a sign of diabetes or the autoimmune disease lupus. In people with another autoimmune disease called alopecia areata, the immune system attacks the hair follicles, resulting in widespread hair loss on the head and body. See your healthcare provider if you lose hair in patches or if it breaks off. Also see your provider if your scalp is red, painful, or itchy. Or if you have rapid hair loss. A. Serious illnessB. RingwormC. MedicinesD. Radiation therapyE. All of the above 8. How may male pattern baldness be treated? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is The medicine minoxidil is a topical treatment that works for some men. Other men may be helped by the oral medicine finasteride. Hair grafts can be done, surgically moving hair from 1 part of the head to the balding area. But all of these treatments are expensive, and the hair grafts are painful. For most men, baldness is permanent. Men should beware of any baldness cures marketed online or elsewhere. The FDA has approved the only medicines available for hair loss (minoxidil and finasteride). All other so-called remedies or treatments for baldness should be suspect. Taking advertised hair growth supplements to regrow your hair may seem like an easy solution. But getting too much of certain nutrients can make hair loss worse. All men who are bald or balding should wear a hat when outdoors to protect the scalp from UV exposure and possible skin cancer. A. RadiationB. MedicineC. SurgeryD. B and C Your score was: Medical Reviewers: Fraser, Marianne, MSN, RN Lehrer, Michael Stephen, MD Watson, L Renee, MSN, RN