Hair Loss in Men
Welcome to Qoctor’s online doctor service which can provide assessment for Hair Loss in men. Answer some online questions, then book a video consultation with an AHPRA-registered doctor. Repeats available (subject to assessment).
The consultation fee is $29.99- no need for expensive ongoing subscriptions. If a prescription is advised, it can be sent as an eScript to your phone OR electronically to your local pharmacy. Alternatively you can have medication delivered by an Australian partner pharmacy- in this case, the cost of medication is added at the checkout. All treatment and advice is issued subject to your doctor’s assessment.
About Hair Loss
All men will experience thinning hair during their lives (thought to be caused by increased sensitivity of the hair follicles to the hormone dihydrotestosterone). Whilst many are not concerned by it, and have no wish to take any action, others may wish to consider hair loss treatment.
FAQs about hair loss and hair loss treatment
The scalp skin normally changes testosterone to another hormone called dihydrotestosterone. In balding men it seems that the hair follicles become too sensitive to dihydrotestosterone and react by shrinking over time. Normally a single hair should last around 3 years, but as hair follicles shrink, the hairs become thinner and shed more often, until they get so short and thin that they no longer grow out through the skin.
At first, the hair recedes or thins around the temples, while also becoming thinner on the top of the head. These areas of hair loss get bigger and join up, leaving a patch of hair at the front of the head, which over time also becomes thinner. Often a narrow band of hair will be left around the back and sides of the head, though this too can be lost, leading to complete baldness.
The length of time it takes to go bald varies widely between men- from just a few years to more than twenty years.
Other conditions can cause hair loss, though in a different pattern to male pattern hair loss. If you think your hair loss is very rapid, unusual, or not in the expected pattern, you should see your doctor. Patchy hair loss can be caused by ring worm, which is a fungal infection. The autoimmune condition Alopecia Areata can cause distinct patches of baldness, and sometimes complete hair loss. General thinning of the hair can be caused by an underactive thyroid gland, low iron, lupus, or a side effect of various medications.
Many men are not concerned by their hair loss, and have no wish to take any action, whilst others may prefer to seek advice and treatment- options include topical lotions, prescription medications, and surgical intervention (hair transplant).
Inguinal hernia
Inguinal hernia A hernia is a bulge or protrusion through a weakness or an opening. An inguinal hernia is one that occurs in the groin where the abdomen meets the hips and usually involves tissue, fat and sometimes intestines pushing through the opening. Inguinal hernias are much more common in men, at a rate of eight to one. They can occur at any age, from infants to the elderly. They become more common as we age. Book a GP appointment Types of hernia Indirect inguinal hernia The bulge in the groin (which can contain fat or intestines) can push through and end up in the scrotum. In severe cases, the scrotum can be swollen and the size of a basketball because the intestines travel from the abdomen into the scrotum. This type is more common [...]
Anogenital warts
Anogenital warts What are anogenital warts? Anogenital warts are caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and can affect the anus and the genitals. There are over 150 types of HPV and if you’ve ever had sex, you’ve been exposed to HPV. Most types of HPV don’t cause any symptoms but some can cause anogenital warts and a small number can also cause cancers of the cervix, penis, throat and rectum. Book a GP telehealth appointment Symptoms Anogenital warts can look like small, raised bumps on the penis, scrotum, anus or the skin of the pelvis. Warts can look like stuck on cauliflowers, can feel hard and are usually raised. Sometimes they can be confused with ingrown hairs or fordyce spots which are normal glands in the skin. Warts are usually not painful, itchy or uncomfortable [...]
What is a fractured penis?
What is a fractured penis? Although the penis doesn’t have a bone in it, it can be fractured! A fractured penis occurs when the spongy tissue that swells during an erection is broken. It is incredibly rare- only occurring between 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 100,000 men. Request an STI test referral online How does a fractured penis happen? A fractured penis cannot happen when the penis is flaccid, because the tissue is soft & flexible. However, when the spongy tissue in the penis is firm during an erection, it is less flexible and more at risk of being injured. A fractured penis is most likely to happen during sex when it can be suddenly traumatised and bent unnaturally. What are the most common causes of a fractured penis? The position most [...]
How to get rid of Jock Itch
How to get rid of Jock Itch What is Jock Itch? Jock Itch is a common name for the medical condition also known as "Tinea Cruris". Jock Itch is caused by a fungus which naturally lives on the skin, but under certain conditions overgrows and leads to an itchy rash in the groin, either side of the penis and scrotum. Generally, the skin on both sides of the genitals becomes itchy and then appears dry and scaly. It can get red and spread, become more intensely itchy. Scratching can lead to nicks and bleeds in the irritated skin. Tinea can also affect the skin elsewhere, e.g. between the toes (Tinea Pedis) and beard (Tinea Barbae), so if you have Tinea on one part of the body it’s possible to "seed it" elsewhere. Book an assessment What causes Jock [...]
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men What are Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms? ‘Lower urinary tract symptoms’ are symptoms related to passing urine and are common in men as they get older. Lower urinary tract symptoms can be classified into either storage symptoms (having to urinate too often) or voiding symptoms (having difficulty with the flow of your urine). The most common cause of lower urinary tract symptoms in men is an enlarged prostate gland. Request a medical certificate Lower Urinary Tracts Symptoms include Hesitancy – despite the feeling of needing to urinate, the urine flow doesn’t start immediately. Weak or intermittent stream – urine flow starts and stops Straining to start /or continue urination There is dribbling after urination A feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder Having to go to the bathroom very often. Particularly noticeable at night eg, [...]
Testicular Torsion- how to spot this serious condition
What is Testicular Torsion? Testicular torsion refers to the twisting of a testicle and the spermatic cord attached to it, inside the scrotum. If prolonged and untreated, the twisting rapidly affects the blood flow to the testicle, leading to tissue damage and the possibility of testicle loss and subsequent reduced fertility. Testicular torsion can occur at any age, including newborns, but is most commonly in 12-18 year olds. There is usually no obvious cause, although in about 5% of cases it is triggered by physical trauma. What are the symptoms of testicular torsion? The classical presenting symptoms include quick onset of scrotal pain on the affected side, swelling, redness, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. On examination, the scrotal skin is usually red, the affected testicle can be swollen or sit high in the scrotum and appear to be horizontal. Some of the symptoms of [...]
Health Library- Male Pattern Baldness
All men will experience thinning hair over time. Male pattern baldness is thought to be caused by increased sensitivity of the hair follicles to the hormone dihydrotestosterone- the hair follicles gets smaller over time, causing the hair to become thinner and fall out more easily- it usually starts around the temples and top of the head, and may spread to other areas.
If hair loss is unusual in pattern, appears patchy or occurs very rapidly, it’s wise to speak to a doctor to ensure their are no underlying causes. The following articles explore the issue of thinning hair and hair loss treatment in more detail.
Hair loss in men- what causes it?
Hair loss in men- what causes it? Cause Symptoms Treatment Introduction Most men will experience some degree of hair loss during their lives- many have no wish to take any action, but some may opt to seek treatment. So, what causes male pattern baldness and what can be done to prevent or reverse it? What conditions can be assessed by an online doctor? What causes hair loss in men? The scalp skin normally changes testosterone to another hormone called dihydrotestosterone. In balding men it seems that the hair follicles become too sensitive to this hormone and react by shrinking over time. Normally a single hair should last around 3 years, but as hair follicles shrink, the hairs become thinner and shed more often, until they get so short and thin that they no longer grow out through the skin. [...]
Hair loss in men- why it happens
Hair Loss in men- why does it happen? Hair loss is a normal process which naturally occurs as men get older. It is thought to affect almost all men at some point in their life, and at least half of all men over the age of 50. So if it’s common and normal, why does it cause some guys so much stress? Request a medical certificate There is a common misconception that loss of hair is related to a change in testosterone levels. In fact, testosterone levels are normal. Testosterone is changed to another hormone called dihydrotestosterone by skin cells in the scalp. It is thought the hair follicles become more sensitive to this hormone over time, which makes them weaker and eventually causes the hair to fall out. Hair loss can affect a man’s confidence and self esteem. The psychological impact [...]
