GrowingMost of your hair, most of the time
A hair can keep growing for years. In pattern hair loss, this stage gets shorter and each new hair comes back finer.
Healthy follicle
Shrinking follicle, finer hairHair loss in men, seen by a doctor in English
Receding temples, a thinning crown or more hair in the shower: find out what is behind it. A doctor registered in Spain reviews how it began, explains the likely cause and goes through treatment, tests or an in-person examination with you.
€39online consultation, tests and treatment not included
Where are you noticing it?
- 5.0from 1,508 patient reviews on Setmore
- Registereddoctors in Spain, details you can verify
- In Englishfrom booking to your plan
- Privateone to one, by video or telephone
Every hair lives through a cycle
Most hair loss starts here. Knowing which part has changed is what points to the cause.
Growing
ChangingGrowth stops
The follicle shrinks and the hair stops growing. This stage is short.
RestingThe hair stays, but rests
After illness, stress or weight loss, many hairs can move into rest together. You usually notice it later, not at the time.
SheddingThe old hair falls out
A new hair then starts in the same follicle. Losing some hair every day is normal.
Where have you noticed the change?
Pick the closest pattern to see what can cause it and what is useful to tell a doctor. This cannot diagnose your hair loss.
Gradual thinning
Slow changes at the temples or crown can fit male pattern hair loss, which usually runs in families. A doctor will still ask about timing and your general health.
Possible causes
- Male pattern hair loss, which usually runs in families
Bring an older photo if you have one.
More shedding
Hair coming out across the whole head can follow illness, stress, weight loss or low iron, and it can be temporary. A doctor will ask what happened in the months before it began.
Possible causes
- Illness or surgery
- Stress
- Weight loss
- Low iron
- Cancer treatment
Note any illness, weight loss or new medicine.
A new patch
A round or uneven bare area has different causes from gradual thinning, so it is worth having it looked at. Some patches need a closer scalp examination.
Possible causes
- Causes that differ from pattern hair loss
- Worth having examined
Take a clear photo and note when you first saw it.
Scalp symptoms
Itching, pain, scaling or redness point to the scalp itself. These often need a closer look than a video call allows.
Possible causes
- A scalp problem that may need treating first
Tell the doctor what you have already used on your scalp.
Sudden or severe loss, scalp pain, scarring or other symptoms can need an in-person examination or tests.
Treatments a doctor may discuss
There is no single treatment for every pattern. These examples explain the conversation a doctor may have after assessing the cause. They are not products supplied or promised here.
Topical minoxidil
A solution applied to the scalp that may help some men with pattern hair loss.
- How it is used
- On the scalp, usually twice a day.
- Time to respond
- Usually months, and response varies.
- Staying on it
- It only works while you keep using it.
- Worth knowing
- It does not address every cause of hair loss.
Oral finasteride
A daily 1 mg tablet indicated for the early stages of male pattern hair loss in men aged 18 to 41. It needs a medical assessment first.
- How it is used
- One tablet a day, with or without food.
- Time to respond
- Generally three to six months.
- Staying on it
- It only works while you keep taking it.
- Side effects
- The product information lists sexual side effects, such as lower sex drive. Your doctor goes through them with you.
At a glance
| Topic | Topical minoxidil | Oral finasteride |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Solution on the scalp | 1 mg tablet |
| How often | Usually twice a day | Once a day |
| Time to respond | Usually months | Generally 3 to 6 months |
| Who it is for | Some men with pattern hair loss | Men aged 18 to 41, early stages |
| If you stop | Any effect fades | Any effect fades |
What to expect from pattern hair loss treatment
First 3 monthsToo early to judge.
3 to 6 monthsWhen changes generally start to show.
After thatKeep going to keep any effect. No treatment works for everyone.
Before you start any treatment
- Finding the cause comes first. Treating the wrong kind of hair loss wastes months.
- Mood matters. The Spanish medicines agency advises stopping oral finasteride and speaking to a health professional if you develop low mood, depression or suicidal thoughts. If you are thinking of harming yourself, call 024.
- When there is another cause, such as illness, weight loss or iron deficiency, the plan starts there rather than with a hair treatment.
Your appointment
A starting point for a proportionate plan, including in-person care when that is needed.
- Choose a timeBook video or telephone and see the fee before confirming.
- Share the changeExplain the timeline and share your photos.
- Agree the next stepMonitor, test, examine in person, refer or consider treatment.
- Prescription if appropriateSent by email for any pharmacy in Spain. Never guaranteed.
Three photos that help
- HairlineFrom the front, with your hair pulled back.
- CrownFrom above. Ask someone to take it if you can.
- TemplesFrom each side, in daylight.
Questions worth asking
English Doctor is not an emergency service. In an emergency, call 112.
Can hair loss be assessed online?
A doctor can review your history and visible pattern, especially by video. Some cases still need an in-person scalp examination, blood tests or specialist assessment.
Will I be prescribed a hair loss treatment?
Only when clinically appropriate. A prescription is not guaranteed, and some causes need investigation or monitoring instead.
How quickly can treatment work?
Established treatments for pattern hair loss can take several months to show an effect, and responses vary. Your doctor can discuss realistic expectations.
Is hair loss always permanent?
No. Some forms are temporary, while others may be ongoing. Understanding the cause is the first step.
Can finasteride affect my sex life?
Sexual side effects, such as lower sex drive or erection problems, are listed in the product information. Your doctor goes through side effects with you before you decide.
Is the medicine included in the €39?
No. The fee covers the consultation. Tests and any medicine are paid for separately.
Start with the right question
Discuss hair loss in English with a doctor registered in Spain. Online consultation €39, Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00 Spain mainland time.
Book a consultation
Clinical sources: NHS: hair loss, AEMPS: finasteride safety, CIMA: finasteride 1 mg. General information, not a diagnosis.