Men who develop this pattern of hair loss usually have hereditary pattern baldness. This is also called male-pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia.
As the name suggests, hereditary pattern baldness is an inherited condition (and not just from your mother's family, as is commonly believed). More than a third of men will experience this type of hair loss. Often, the first changes of hereditary-pattern baldness can be seen when men are in their 20s or 30s.
Certain medications can help to prevent or even reverse this type of hair loss. Minoxidil (Rogaine) shampoo is available over the counter, while the drug finasteride (Propecia) requires a doctor's prescription.
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