Could Stress From a Divorce Cause Thinning at the Sides of My Head?

Hi, i’m 31 and have been suffering with mpb since I was 20. I have a small bald patch at back, receding hairline towards back of head. I started propecia in July last year and almost straight away noticed bigger bald patch behind hairline and thinning at sides. Is this caused by propecia? I have been under stress due to marriage break up so could it be that? thanks

Stress can induce hair loss with a variety of conditions such as genetic hair loss, alopecia areata (in those people with the genes for this disease), and even telogen effluvium from unexplained conditions.

Male pattern baldness (MPB) doesn’t include thinning at the sides of the head, so that is unusual. If you’ve seen MPB since you were 20 years old, the stress associated from a divorce could contribute to advancing that pattern sooner than it otherwise would’ve, and possibly even the hair loss you’re seeing at the sides. Stress management may be key to the problem for those with stress-induced hair loss, but there’s no way for me to know for sure if that is what you’re seeing.

Some people report initial shedding after starting Propecia, but this isn’t entirely common and I wouldn’t expect it to last a year (probably more like 3 months). See your doctor about managing your stress and certainly go back to your prescribing doctor if you’re looking for more info about your medication usage.