Androgenetic alopecia accounts for 95% of all hair loss. This is pattern baldness or hair loss, which can occur in both men and women.
Male-pattern baldness begins with hair loss at the temples and crown. It can advance to partial or complete baldness.
Women with androgenetic alopecia usually lose hair at the front, sides, or crown. Although their hair will become thinner, complete baldness rarely occurs in women.
Among both men and women, androgenetic alopecia occurs at a rate of about 30%. Androgenetic alopecia is passed down genetically.
There are also a few other possible causes for hair loss, which you should rule out if you are experiencing unusual loss of hair.
Certain medications can cause hair loss, which can be remedied by your doctor switching you to a different medication, or by simply waiting out the treatment period with that medication (as in the case of chemotherapy).
Alopecia areata is an unusual disease in which a normally otherwise healthy person begins to lose an abnormal amount of hair. The baldness often occurs in small, round, smooth patches.
Baldness resulting from alopecia areata is usually temporary. The hair will grow back, but there may be repeated episodes of losing hair and growing it back again.
The cause of alopecia areata is unknown, although some scientists suspect that a virus or something else in the environment triggers the development of the disease in people who are already genetically disposed to alopecia areata. If you have a family history of alopecia areata, you are more likely to develop it. This condition, however, is very rare.
Some diseases can cause temporary hair loss. These include diabetes, lupus, and thyroid disorders. If you experience unusual hair loss, see a doctor to rule out disease.
A recent high fever, flu, other illness or surgery can cause temporary hair loss. The hair loss may occur three to four months after the event of the illness or surgery. The same is true for many women after childbirth. This is usually not a cause for concern.