Hair loss is common in men, it is thought that 50% of men will experience some sort of hair loss by the age of 50. Hair goes through cycles of growth and it is normal to experience some shedding. It is when hair loss becomes very noticeable or bald patches start appearing that most men become concerned and consider visiting a specialist.

"Common baldness" is one of the most common causes of male hair loss. Also referred to as androgenetic alopecia, it is usually an inherited condition. This type of baldness usually manifests itself in a receding hairline and baldness at the top of the head. The culprit behind androgenetic alopecia is DHT. DHT is an androgen (male hormone) that plays a vital part in the body but it sometimes denitrifies hair follicles and prevents essential vitamins and minerals from reaching the follicles resulting in hair loss and eventually baldness.

While there is no magic bullet solution to androgenetic alopecia, there are some options to consider. There are some drugs that can help hair grow back but these usually have bad side effects and once the medication is stopped, the hair falls back out again. They are a temporary fix and in some cases the side effects may not be worth the benefits.

Hair transplants are another option some men consider when they are experiencing hair loss. Costly and painful, not all hair transplants are successful. Sometimes the scalp rejects the implants and this can result in infections and scarring. If done badly, a hair transplant can end up looking artificial and having a "plug" effect.

Some natural and herbal remedies are being marketed that claim to stimulate hair growth, and some companies manufacture "hair food" which is basically vitamins aimed at nourishing hair follicles and increasing blood circulation to the scalp. Hair tonics are also available for the same purposes. Most of these products are available over the counter, while some require prescriptions.

It's not all bad news though, a recent study has shown that men who experience premature balding are less likely to get prostate cancer. A link has been established between the large amounts of testosterone in most men who bald prematurely and a reduced risk of tumors. This comes as surprising news because it was formerly believed that hair loss increased the risk of cancer.