The effects of male hormones on genetically susceptible hair follicles cause Male pattern Baldness (androgenetic alopecia). Male hormones blamed to cause hair loss are also called androgens. The following factors contribute to this hair loss process.

1. Male Pattern baldness occurs only if a person has a specific genetic code. This code responsible for baldness is carried by a single gene or a group of genes and may be inherited from either parent.Another important point to note is that not everyone who carries the gene(s) responsible for androgenetic hair loss will develop baldness. To be active, the gene for baldness has to be "expressed" in the individual and depends on several factors such as hormones, age, stress level and so on.

2. A specific gene (or genes) responsible for androgenetic hair loss has not yet been identified. But scientists are sure that this gene (or genes) is involved in the synthesis of male hormones, the enzyme 5-alpha reductase and androgen receptors located on the hair follicles. 5-alpha reductase is the enzyme that converts testosterone (a male hormone) to a more active form, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which binds in turn, to the androgen receptors found on hair follicles.

With advances in genetic engineering and genetic medicine, it will not take long for scientists to identify the specific gene (or genes) exclusively responsible for male pattern baldness.