Is MPB Just Genes or Are There Environmental Factors?

Hello Doctors,

When it comes to hair loss genetics is usually the main culprit. There has been a lot of discussion of what can “cause” hair loss which I think people mistake with the acceleration of a destined hair loss pattern. Stress can be one factor which can accelerate hair loss. Is male pattern baldness purely a result of genes or is there also an influence of environmental factors which determine if a person will have hair loss?

Also, I know weight lifting does not “cause” hair loss, but can it accelerate the rate of hair loss much like stress does? There a body builders without hair loss, and even some may have high levels of stress, so it may be a matter of just genetics.

Genetics, lifestyle, hormones, and stress all play a role in hair loss. For example, if you lead a stressful life and have the genetics for losing your hair, the stress could cause the genes to express earlier than they otherwise would. This is not a simple issue!