Surprising Link Of Male Pattern Baldness To Maternal Genes – All You Need To Know

Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is one of the main causes of hair loss. Don’t assume it only affects men or older people—this condition can also affect young individuals and even women, especially if there's a family history. Poor diet, daily habits, and high stress levels can trigger stress-related hair loss or even early-onset male pattern baldness. Early signs include a receding hairline, M-shaped hairline, thinning at the front, less volume, finer hair, and increased scalp visibility. If you notice these signs, consult a hair specialist as soon as possible! In this article, we’ll deep-dive into the most common hair loss issue: male pattern baldness.

1

What is Male Pattern Baldness?

Why does male pattern baldness occur out of nowhere? The harsh truth is that it may be encoded in your genes. It’s considered a hereditary condition where a byproduct of male hormones attacks hair follicles, stopping the synthesis of hair proteins. Since hair is primarily made up of protein, this disrupts healthy growth, making strands finer and shortening the hair’s growth cycle. As a result, hair falls out before it fully matures, leading to follicle miniaturization, premature shedding, thinning hair, and eventually “horseshoe-shaped” balding. Once hair follicles completely atrophy and die, even the best hair regrowth treatments won’t work.

That hormone byproduct? The infamous DHT (dihydrotestosterone).

2

Can Women Have Male Pattern Baldness?

Yes—1 in 5 Asians suffer from male pattern baldness, and that includes women. Female androgenetic alopecia is actually the most common cause of hair loss in women. While about 20% of Asian men are affected, around 6% of women also suffer from it. Unfortunately, female pattern baldness is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. Although both men and women produce androgens, the way DHT affects the scalp differs by gender due to its concentration in different areas.

3

Male vs. Female Pattern Baldness

Male Symptoms

To identify male pattern baldness, compare the hair on the front and top of the head to the back. If the crown is full but the front hairline is receding (especially with an “M” shape) and the top hair is thinner and softer, the person is likely balding. Hair loss typically affects the temples, center, and crown.

Female Symptoms

Women usually notice it later. Because long hair can hide thinning areas, female pattern baldness typically presents as widening part lines and reduced overall volume—especially on the crown. The hairline usually stays intact, and women rarely go completely bald. Female pattern baldness is diffuse, affecting the whole scalp rather than concentrated zones.

4

7 Stages of Male Pattern Baldness – The Final Stage is Full Crown Balding

Male and female pattern baldness manifest differently, and women rarely go completely bald. That’s why the standard classification includes 7 stages for men, but only 3 for women.

5

Is Baldness Inherited? Let’s Calculate Your Risk

Genetics is the leading cause. According to researchers at the University of Bonn in Germany, the baldness gene (AR) exists only on the X chromosome. That means men should look to their mother’s side for signs, while women inherit from both parents. Hair loss genes are recessive, so even if inherited, they might not manifest—especially in women. Interestingly, your maternal grandfather’s hair loss is often a more accurate predictor than your mother’s.

Even if your father and grandfather had full heads of hair, men still have a 25% chance of inheriting baldness from their maternal grandmother’s side. But inheriting the gene doesn’t guarantee you’ll go bald.

Who’s More Likely to Develop Male Pattern Baldness?

Even if you carry the gene, it doesn't always “switch on.” Baldness typically begins after puberty, with most cases appearing between 30–35 years old. But recent research shows it’s happening earlier due to poor sleep, irregular routines, bad diet, smoking, and alcohol—all of which disrupt hormones and immune balance, possibly triggering early hair loss.

6

How to Treat Male Pattern Baldness?

For Men – Oral Medications

Finasteride is currently the only FDA-approved oral treatment for male pattern baldness. It’s a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor that blocks DHT production. Taken daily, it can reduce hair loss by up to 80% within 6 to 12 months.

Side Effects of Finasteride

Some users report increased shedding after stopping the medication. Experts clarify this isn’t a rebound effect but simply the return of DHT levels. Side effects may include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and mood swings—usually reversible upon stopping the medication.

For Women – Oral Medications

Finasteride is generally not recommended for women unless they are postmenopausal. Instead, anti-androgens like spironolactone are commonly prescribed for female pattern baldness.

Side Effects in Women

Many users experience irregular menstrual cycles and other hormone-related side effects.

7

Topical Hair Regrowth Products

Topical minoxidil (2% or 5%) can be used by both men and women. Applied twice daily, it improves blood flow and nutrient delivery to the hair follicles, extending the growth phase and reducing the resting phase.

Side Effects

While it's gender-neutral and widely used, topical minoxidil is less effective than oral medications and may cause scalp irritation or dermatitis.

8

Hair Transplant Surgery

Hair transplants are often seen as the last resort. However, they're not always suitable—especially in late-stage baldness where follicles are dead. The procedure involves moving healthy follicles to bald spots and hiding the donor site with longer hair. But it requires good follicle density and health, which many women with diffuse thinning lack.

Risks

Surgical risks include infection, scarring, and poor graft survival. It’s expensive, and since follicle supply is limited, you can only undergo it a few times. If you're unhappy with the result, there’s no undo button.

9

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

LLLT uses red or infrared light (600–1000nm) to stimulate hair growth. It’s been shown in studies to improve follicle health and is being considered as a formal hair loss treatment in several countries. The 650nm wavelength is commonly used for male and female pattern baldness.

Side Effects

None. It’s non-invasive, safe, and suitable for almost everyone.

10

Cell Regeneration Therapy

Research shows dermal papilla cells in the follicle base can trigger new hair growth. Regenerative cell therapy extracts scalp tissue, processes it into a hair growth serum, and injects it into the scalp to regenerate follicles. It’s more advanced than transplants and offers better follicle survival but requires ongoing treatments.

Side Effects

It’s a minimally invasive procedure involving micro-needling the scalp. Although it creates tiny wounds, they heal within a day or two and carry less infection risk compared to surgery.

11

Is TCM Effective for Male Pattern Baldness?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) typically involves herbal medicine, acupuncture, and topical treatments.

12

TCM View: Baldness from Qi and Blood Deficiency

According to TCM, male pattern baldness is due to poor circulation and qi deficiency in the scalp. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can help unblock energy flow, nourish follicles, and improve microcirculation. Treatments may include stimulating acupuncture points or gently tapping the scalp with plum blossom needles to create micro-injuries that enhance the immune response and improve blood flow, boosting hair growth.

Why TCM Is Ideal for Many

It’s less burdensome on the liver and kidneys than Western meds and doesn’t carry the risks of allergy or infection. Especially suitable for women who can’t take finasteride, acupuncture offers a gentle alternative.

But effectiveness depends on your constitution, hair loss pattern, and severity.

13

Treat Male Pattern Baldness with Perfect Medical’s F8 Hair Regrowth Program

“Male pattern baldness”—these three words trigger stress and self-esteem issues for many men and women. Like adult acne, it might not harm your body but can seriously impact your confidence. Some sufferers even develop depression. No one wants a “Moses parting the sea” hairline, where your scalp ages 20 years ahead of your face!

Perfect Medical’s F8 Hair Regrowth Treatment uses 650nm low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to penetrate deep into the scalp, improve blood flow, stimulate capillary formation, and encourage follicle protein synthesis to normalize hair growth cycles.

F8 doesn’t stop there. It also delivers powerful hair-nourishing factors and deeply cleanses scalp pores of dead skin and chemical residue, rebalancing oil and moisture levels. It restores the scalp’s “soil” to a healthy, clean state, giving both men and women a chance to regrow stronger, healthier hair.

If you don’t want to become a victim of hair loss or one of those online forum users venting their frustrations, take one minute to register for a free trial of the F8 treatment. It’s painless, non-invasive—and may help you reclaim your hair with confidence.