MPHL is very common, especially as men get older. Research shows that 16% of men under 30 report moderate to extensive hair loss, but it's reported in over 50% of men ages 40-49.
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Male-pattern hair loss treatment
Share your symptoms with Health AI and get treatment from a provider if appropriate.
*Available only if prescribed. Medication price is for Prime members and varies based on prescription and payment method.
How it works
Check-in with Health AI
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Discuss with a provider
Review your health concern or treatment request with a One Medical provider via message.
Get treatment
Receive your care plan. If appropriate, prescriptions are sent to your pharmacy and, if you use Amazon Pharmacy, delivered to your door (if eligible).
Common male-pattern hair loss medications
Your Amazon One Medical provider will determine which (if any) hair loss treatment is medically appropriate for you based on your symptoms and health history. If you're prescribed medication, your provider will send the prescription to your preferred pharmacy. Choose Amazon Pharmacy for free delivery and transparent Prime pricing. The cost of your prescribed medication is not included with the treatment cost.
Oral minoxidil isn't available through Amazon One Medical On-Demand Care.
Finasteride (Propecia)
Minoxidil 5% (Rogaine)
What causes male hair loss?
Male balding, also called male-pattern hair loss (MPHL) or androgenetic alopecia, is caused by your hair follicles becoming smaller over time. When this happens, you may see symptoms like thinning hair and a receding hairline. The androgen hormone DHT influences the balding process, which is largely driven by genetic factors.
Can a man's hair grow back?
Yes, a man’s hair can grow back as long as a hair follicle is still active. Male hair loss treatments can stimulate hair growth and prevent further hair loss.
But androgenetic alopecia tends to progress with age, and there’s no permanent cure for the condition. When you stop treatment with clinically proven hair growth products like topical minoxidil (Rogaine) or the prescription medication finasteride (Propecia), you lose their benefits.
Frequently asked questions
How common is male-pattern hair loss (MPHL)?
Is there a cure for male pattern baldness?
Oral finasteride (Propecia) and topical minoxidil (Rogaine) aren’t a cure for male pattern hair loss, but they can stop the progression of hair loss and improve hair coverage when used for at least 6 months.
What's the difference between finasteride and minoxidil hair loss treatments?
Oral finasteride and topical minoxidil work differently to produce similar results, with finasteride inhibiting DHT production and minoxidil increasing the size of hair follicles.
Finasteride (Propecia) is a presciption-only tablet that's usually well tolerated, with a small risk (<5%) of sexual side effects. Minoxidil (Rogaine) is available as an over-the-counter solution and is usually well tolerated, with rare scalp irritation.
Both medications can both stop the progression of hair loss and improve hair coverage when used for at least 6 months.
Can I get a prescription for oral minoxidil through On-Demand Care?
No. Oral minoxidil (Loniten), also called low dose oral minoxidil (LDOM), isn't available through Amazon One Medical On-Demand Care at this time. LDOM prescriptions require initial lab testing.
Can women get hair loss treatment through On-Demand Care?
No. If you're a woman experiencing hair loss, telehealth isn't the most appropriate option for you. To determine what's causing your hair loss, you'll need to see a primary care provider for an in-person evaluation and testing.
Can I get hair loss treatment if I'm transgender?
Amazon One Medical On-Demand Care offers male-pattern hair loss treatment to transgender women as well as transgender men who are taking testosterone. But please be advised that finasteride, a prescription medication for hair regrowth, may interfere with certain hormone therapies.
If I have a prostate condition, can I still get male hair loss treatment through On-Demand Care?
No. If you have a prostate condition (like an elevated PSA blood test) or you have a family history of prostate cancer, telehealth isn't the most appropriate treatment option for you. Certain medications may increase your risk of prostate cancer. You'll need to see a primary care provider for further guidance.
Clinical sources
1. Adil, A., & Godwin, M. (2017). The effectiveness of treatments for androgenetic alopecia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 77(1), 136–141.e5.
2. Chin E. Y. (2013). Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) in the United States: what treatments should primary care providers recommend?. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 25(8), 395–401.
3. Hillmer, A. M., Hanneken, S., Ritzmann, S., Becker, T., Freudenberg, J., Brockschmidt, F. F., Flaquer, A., Freudenberg-Hua, Y., Jamra, R. A., Metzen, C., Heyn, U., Schweiger, N., Betz, R. C., Blaumeiser, B., Hampe, J., Schreiber, S., Schulze, T. G., Hennies, H. C., Schumacher, J., Propping, P., … Nothen, M. M. (2005). Genetic variation in the human androgen receptor gene is the major determinant of common early-onset androgenetic alopecia. American journal of human genetics, 77(1), 140–148.
4. Kaiser, M., Abdin, R., Gaumond, S. I., Issa, N. T., & Jimenez, J. J. (2023). Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: Current Guidance and Unmet Needs. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 16, 1387–1406.
5. Randolph, M., & Tosti, A. (2021). Oral minoxidil treatment for hair loss: A review of efficacy and safety. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 84(3), 737–746.
6. Rhodes, T., Girman, C. J., Savin, R. C., Kaufman, K. D., Guo, S., Lilly, F. R., Siervogel, R. M., & Chumlea, W. C. (1998). Prevalence of male pattern hair loss in 18-49 year old men. Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.], 24(12), 1330–1332.
