Hi Dr Rassman.

I’m a 29 year old male. I had a full, thick, wavy head of hair until about a year ago. Then the top and sides of my head have thinned rapidly since. I didn’t have any recession of the hairline, although now my temples have receded a quite a bit and also quite rapidly, but I’d say nothing beyond a “mature hairline” (though for me, the difference is obvious compared to what I started with). But overall, the hair on the top of my head and also the sides is very thin. I’d say the only place which hasn’t changed much is the back. There’s no history of MPB in my family.

I’ve trying finasteride for the past month but having problems with nipple sensitivity and worried about gyno. I know you’re going to tell me to get myself mapped for miniaturization, but I don’t know where I can get that done around here. I think I may have some kind of diffuse pattern alopecia, I’m just horrified that I made it through almost my entire 20s thinking I’d keep a full head of thick hair, and in a year (8 months, really) it’s so thin and wispy. Seems like it has happened overnight… I thought MPB takes years and is a slow process. I just wish it could have waited until my 30s instead.

There might be no immediate history of MPB in your family, but it can skip generations. Thinning hair on the top of your head could be MPB, but the hair on the sides should not be thinning like you briefly described. MPB doesn’t need to take years, as the speed of hair loss progression is different for each person.

What if I didn’t tell you to go get yourself mapped for miniaturization, but provided you with a tutorial to do it yourself (if you have the right equipment)? See part 1 here. You can then take the results of the mapping and upload them to BaldingForum, where I can provide a consultation opinion. You should (with your mapping in hand) seek out a good hair doctor or come visit us here in sunny Los Angeles.

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