Evaluating current and emerging pharmacological treatment options for men with androgenetic alopecia

INTRODUCTION: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), also known as male pattern hair loss (MPHL), is the most common cause of hair loss in men. Treatment response to approved therapies varies, adherence remains challenging, and discontinuation results in progressive hair loss. Recent advances have identified new pathways, accelerating a new generation of mechanism-based therapies. AREAS COVERED: PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for publications available through 18 July 2026, supplemented by Google searches. This review evaluates the mechanisms, efficacy, safety, and clinical relevance of current and emerging pharmacological therapies for MPHL. EXPERT OPINION: Current medical treatments for MPHL are most effective in early disease stages, primarily preventing further miniaturization and increasing the diameter of existing hairs; however, patient expectations often exceed achievable outcomes, and hair transplantation remains the only reliable option for restoring hair in areas where terminal follicles have been lost. Advances in hair follicle biology, stem cell activation, and regenerative medicine are driving therapies aimed at preserving existing follicles and improving follicular regeneration, and personalized combinations of conventional and regenerative strategies may eventually provide more effective and durable outcomes than either approach alone.