Many men experiencing male pattern baldness (Androgenic Alopecia) feel like they are the only one, but that is far from the truth. In fact male pattern baldness is such a common problem that some estimates say that as many as 75% of men are affected. Of course, being surrounded by other balding men isn’t going to make someone who is losing their own hair feel any better. If you are wondering WHY you are losing your hair, you may find the answer throughout the rest of this article.

It’s important to note that male pattern baldness is different from other types. Below are some common causes of various types of hair loss, including Androgenic Alopecia.

The number one cause of hair loss is genetics.

Androgenetic alopecia, is the most common type of hair loss. While often called male pattern baldness, it can actually occur in both men and women. Men do experience this type of hair loss at much higher rate than women. The genetics that cause male pattern baldness can be inherited from either the mother or the father. For this reason, your dad having a full head of hair is no guarantee that you will, because you could get the baldness from your mother’s side of the family.

Male pattern (or female pattern) baldness is so called because the hair loss follows a defined pattern. Rather than falling out in sections all over the head, this type of hair loss progresses gradually in a certain pattern. In most, but all not all, cases, men will begin to lose the hair on the top of the head.

Some people incorrectly associate male pattern baldness with getting older. In many cases, people with Androgenic Alopecia start losing their hair in their early twenties. While male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss, there are other conditions and factors that can, potentially, contribute to balding.

The factors listed above are NOT the same as male pattern baldness. While, in many cases, the baldness resulting from these factors can be reversed, the hair loss from male pattern baldness cannot.

Many men visit doctors and other professionals hoping for a cure for their baldness. Right now, no such cure exists. Because there are millions of men experiencing male pattern baldness, and many of those men are desperate for a cure, a lot of myths are floating around.

• If your hair is thinning, shave your head. This will cause your hair to grow back thicker.

• Having an oily scalp causes hair loss

• Changing your diet can cure hair loss

• Dandruff causes permanent hair loss

• A teenager cannot suffer hair loss

• Standing on your head will cause your hair to grow

• Popular treatments, such as the laser comb, can cure male pattern baldness

While some of the balding can sometimes be reversed, do not mistake that for a cure. The underlying condition still exists and if you, for example, use Rogaine, as soon as you discontinue use the hair is going to fall out again.

If there were truly an effective cure for this problem, do you really think that there would be so many men walking around with male pattern baldness? At least the celebrities and very rich would be taking advantage of any treatments available.

Even the topical solutions are not effective in every case, and they rarely provide the dramatic results for which the user hoped.

Why You? Well, the simple answer is that because the odds are stacked in your favor that you’re going to experience male pattern baldness. Remember the number given earlier in the article: some estimates say 75% of men will be affected.

While it may seem all doom and gloom, there is hope. First of all, some men just choose to let nature take its course. You might FEEL like the only bald man, but you won’t be alone if you allow the male pattern baldness to do its thing.

If that is not a solution you can live with, you could try one of the aforementioned topical treatments. Keep in mind, however, that they are not effective for everyone. Also, you must continue to use it for life or the baldness will return.

Still another option is a hair transplant. This is a surgical procedure in which a doctor transplants hair from the back of the head to the spots where the balding has occurred. This treatment is typically permanent.

If you choose a good surgeon, you will probably end up with fantastic results but, as with any cosmetic procedure, there is always the risk that the outcome will not be what you expected.

Other men opt for non-surgical hair replacement, commonly known as toupees. Before you roll your eyes you should know that there have been advances in the available products. Some look like natural hair and can be worn while swimming, showering and working out.

Some can be left on for up to a week at a time and many can be washed in the shower the same what that you would wash your own hair.

Of course, the downside is that, no matter how good the product, there is always that chance that it could come off. Also, if you’re not yet in a relationship and get in one, you’ll eventually have to fess up about your little secret.

If you don’t feel like going under the knife for your hair, there is a solution, in fact the only FDA approved medicine to treat male pattern baldness; but if you truly want to buy Propecia, keep in mind that it only works as long as you take it. Though for many men, popping a tiny pill every day alongside your vitamins is a very, very small price to pay indeed!

Whatever you choose to do in response to your male pattern baldness, keep in mind that – while it may bother you a lot – other people aren’t paying nearly as much attention to your hair loss as you think they are.

Male pattern baldness doesn’t make you look old or unattractive. It just makes you look a bit different than you did when you had hair. If you can live with the change, then do that. If you can’t, find a solution with proven results.

Don’t waste your money on products that will not provide the desired results. More importantly, don’t waste your time asking "Why me?"