More than half of men older than 50 will experience male pattern baldness, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), and that rate climbs to 80 percent for Caucasian men. Male pattern baldness, medically known as “androgenetic alopecia,” begins above both temples, causes thinning at the crown, and often results in partial or complete baldness, states the NLM website, MedlinePlus.
While androgenetic alopecia in men can be linked to insulin resistance, coronary heart disease, and prostate conditions, it also presents an appearance issue for many men who feel that they may look prematurely old or less virile. Consequently, baldness treatments such as finasteride, sold under the brand name Propecia, have been lucrative products for drug makers.
