Yet, testosterone is not the reason some men go bald and others don't. Plenty of bald guys have low testosterone levels, and plenty of guys with flowing locks have high testosterone levels. Male pattern baldness comes down to how sensitive your hair follicles are to the effects of hormones, which is genetic.
The research, which was published in this month's Social Psychological and Personality Science journal, found that men with bald heads are more likely to be viewed as commanding, dominant and masculine. They are also perceived as more capable leaders and authoritative individuals.
In men aged 31 or under with moderate to severe male hair loss (classified as stages III-VII on the Norwood Scale) the average sperm count was found to be significantly lower - the Daily Mail reports almost 60 per cent lower - than among test subjects who boasted a fuller head of hair or mild thinning.
No evidence of a link between hair loss and premature death was found in a large and well-known Danish study published in 1998 in The Journals of Gerontology. Perhaps surprisingly, other signs of aging like wrinkles and gray hair were not linked to early deaths, either.
When Thrillist polled people, a majority said they wouldn't mind dating a bald guy. 76% either don't care about hair loss or prefer a bald man. Unsurprisingly, many of the people polled said that baldness isn't an excuse for poor grooming.
As ancient humans spread north, the levels of ultraviolet light decreased… causing vitamin D deficiencies. Some theorize that hair loss would have an evolutionary advantage since having more available skin exposed to the thin sunlight would boost the body's vitamin D production.
To put the myth to bed, a study published in the Medical Journal of Australia looked at virility levels in bald men. It found that there was no significant association between baldness and the frequency of ejaculations. In fact, bald men were less likely to have had more than four female sexual partners in their life.
The psychological and emotional effects of hair loss should not be underestimated. Losing one's hair can deeply impact an individual's self-image and confidence levels, which can lead to a range of emotions such as depression and anxiety.
A study shows that bald men are seen as being taller, more confident, and dominant. A confident demeanor and masculinity can enhance attractiveness, making baldies stand out in social situations. In a poll of 1,000 women, 87% said that they would date a bald man or someone with thinning hair.
As a rule of thumb, 25% of men age 25, 40% of men age 40, and 50% of men age 50 show evidence of male pattern hair loss. Female pattern hair loss occurs in about 20 percent of American women overall.
The only times when thinning is ugly, is when it's paired with an incongruous haircut, eg bald on top, then long hair at the sides. But bald all over, or really close-cropped, can be really hot, depending on whether you have a nicely-shaped head. If you do have a nicely-shaped head, go bald.
Genetic and hormonal factors are to blame, particularly sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
The problem is that DHT does much more than contribute to hair loss. It also plays a crucial role in male sexual development and mood regulation. When DHT levels are reduced, either intentionally or unintentionally, it can impact these functions in unwanted ways and cause: Impotence.
While our sample size for males was less than ideal, our results revealed no evidence for a relationship between hair testosterone concentrations, 2D:4D ratios and risk taking.
Nowadays, being bald is no longer perceived as negative. Research shows that men with bald heads are considered more dominant and attractive. Sporting a new "no-hairstyle" means you're taking control and are not afraid of trying something new. Bad hair days are now a thing of the past.
Since men are constantly producing testosterone throughout their lives, they are also constantly making DHT, and so it makes them more likely to lose their hair than women, who do not have a similar genetic disposition to hair loss.
Muscarella and his research team found that people generally perceive bald men as more honest, clever and dominant. “It could be speculated that although the characteristic of baldness decreases a man's perceived physical attractiveness a little, it increases his perceived social dominance,” Muscarella said.
Male Pattern Baldness and Fertility Study Results
The research data reveals that sperm counts are up to 60% lower in men with moderate to severe hair loss. Semen volume was also found to be lower in this group.
Yet, testosterone is not the reason some men go bald and others don't. Plenty of bald guys have low testosterone levels, and plenty of guys with flowing locks have high testosterone levels. Male pattern baldness comes down to how sensitive your hair follicles are to the effects of hormones, which is genetic.
According to the findings, being overweight or having a moustache added an average of two years to a man's perceived age. Yet, although greying hair added seven years, obvious Male Pattern Baldness topped the lot with respondents feeling this made men look up to eight years older than they actually were.
According to World Population Review, an independent organization that analyzes different issues worldwide, people of Caucasian descent are more likely to suffer from male pattern baldness, compared to other ethnicities. For this reason, the highest rates of androgenic alopecia are found in Europe and North America.
All three studies found similar results: A man's shorn scalp was linked with dominance. In other words, men with shaved heads were perceived as powerful by others. It seems that closely cropped or bald domes have a certain manly swagger to them that project a powerful look.