Have you noticed that there appear to be more young men struggling with receding hairlines and thinning hair? You're not seeing things. Studies indicate that balding is starting at a younger age than ever before, with men in their 20s and 30s being hit at alarming levels. A study conducted last year at Tsinghua University in Beijing discovered that almost 60% of young respondents said they experienced serious hair loss, with many not even realizing it until friends or relatives mentioned it. The trend is not exclusive to China—millennials across the globe are becoming more 'hair aware' as they realize their hairlines are receding earlier than earlier generations. But why is this occurring? Is contemporary life driving hair loss, or are there more profound biological and environmental forces at work?

Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) has traditionally been considered a genetic issue. If your grandfather or father lost their hair, it was likely that you would as well. But trichologists and scientists now claim that lifestyle factors are now an equally important influence.

One of the worst offenders is chronic inflammation—a state caused by unhealthy diet, stress, and toxins in the environment. A 2023 study found that high sugar intake raised the risk of premature hair loss. Men who regularly drank sugary soft drinks were three times more likely to develop pattern baldness than men who did not. Why? Sugar causes oxidative stress, leading to more free radicals in the body, which in turn inflames and damages hair follicles.

Are Stress and the Busy Lifestyle To Blame?

Stress has traditionally been known to be a cause of hair health. The typical hair growth cycle involves four phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transient), telogen (resting), and exogen (shedding). In the condition of long-term stress, more hair strands are forced into telogen stage earlier, thus causing excessive hair shedding—also referred to as telogen effluvium. Unlike male baldness, however, this condition is usually temporary but stressful.

The demands of contemporary life, especially for young professionals, involve high stress at the workplace, irregular timings, and pollution exposure. These conditions interrupt hormonal balance, decrease melatonin levels (a vital hormone for hair growth), and stimulate more production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that has a direct correlation with the shrinking of hair follicles.

Can Poor Nutrition Speed Up Balding?

Diet is vital to hair health, and numerous young men are unwittingly depriving their follicles of important nutrients. As vegan and vegetarian diets become increasingly popular, individuals may not be consuming sufficient amounts of vitamin D, zinc, iron, and protein, which are all necessary for healthy hair growth.

Zinc deficiency, among other factors, has been associated with higher levels of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which transforms testosterone into DHT—the major hormone involved in male pattern baldness. Although plant-based diets are healthy, one must be diligent in planning to provide optimal nutrient support for hair.

Influence of Media and Self-Perception

Millennials and Gen Z are coming of age in an environment where looks are more scrutinized than ever. Social media, celebrity culture, and high-definition screens have brought them to hypersensitivity about the way they look, including shifting hairlines. This added sensitivity could make them more aware of baldness earlier in life compared to past generations who may have not even observed it until very late in their lives.

A study at the University of Pennsylvania discovered that bald men tend to be viewed as more dominant, self-assured, and even taller than hairy men. Hollywood action heroes such as Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Jason Statham, and Vin Diesel have come to accept baldness, showing that a receding hairline is not the end of a man's attractiveness. Nevertheless, for most young men, losing their hair before they feel 'old enough' to do so can be psychologically traumatic.

Treatments and Prevention: Is There Anything That Can Be Done?

The better news? Hair loss can be slowed down or even reversed by early treatment. Two of the most commonly prescribed FDA-approved drugs for male pattern baldness are finasteride and minoxidil:

Finasteride (Propecia) blocks the conversion of testosterone into DHT by inhibiting an enzyme, halting further shrinking of hair follicles. Clinical trials demonstrate that two-thirds of men notice improved scalp coverage with finasteride.

Minoxidil (Rogaine) is a topical treatment that actually causes hair to grow by enhancing the blood supply to hair follicles. It has been found that 62% of men notice significant improvements at 48 weeks.

In addition to medication, changes in lifestyle can also help achieve healthy hair. Proper exercise, stress management practices (like meditation or yoga), and a healthy balanced diet with plenty of vitamins and proteins can help drastically with hair retention.

If you have ever colour-coded your wardrobe, wiped the kitchen slabs repeatedly just because a speck of dust exists, or straightened a slightly off-centre painting on the wall, someone has probably laughed and said, I am so OCD too. But the thing is that you are probably not. And neither are they.

Somewhere along the way, we all misunderstood Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a serious mental health condition, and casually said it. OCD has become shorthand for being neat, organised, or a lover of clean aesthetics. But as mental health professionals and those who actually live with OCD will tell you, that stereotype could not be further from the truth.

OCD is a clinically diagnosed anxiety disorder. It is not just about being extra clean or a control freak. It involves a cycle of obsessions, which are intrusive, unwanted thoughts and compulsions, which are repetitive behaviours or mental acts done to try to neutralise those thoughts.

Imagine being haunted by a constant fear that your loved one will die unless you tap the light switch exactly five times. Or being plagued by the thought that you have hit someone with your car, even though there is no evidence of it happening, and then going back to the same stretch of road again and again to check. That is the lived reality of OCD. It is not cute, it is not fun, and it definitely does not feel satisfying or neat.

The Cleanliness Myth

Yes, some people with OCD have cleanliness-related compulsions. But not everyone with OCD is a neat freak, and not all neat freaks have OCD. The need to wash your hands repeatedly until they are raw is not about loving cleanliness; it is about desperately trying to get rid of a feeling that something is terribly wrong. Often, the compulsion is not even rationally linked to the obsession. It is about trying to regain control over overwhelming anxiety, even if only temporarily.

In fact, OCD themes can be disturbingly varied, from fears of harming others to taboo thoughts to symmetry to morality. The common thing is that the thoughts are distressing, the anxiety is debilitating, and the rituals are exhausting.

Why It is Harmful To Mislabel Yourself As “OCD”

Calling yourself “OCD” because you like your stuff arranged by colour might seem harmless. But this kind of throwaway comment does a real disservice to people living with the actual condition. It trivialises their experiences and contributes to misinformation.

It also prevents those who might truly be struggling with OCD from recognising their symptoms and seeking help. Because if society keeps painting OCD as a personality problem, why would anyone think it is a serious problem?

What OCD Actually Feels Like

Ask anyone with OCD, and they will tell you it is not fun. It is not satisfying to double-check the lock for the 17th time. It is not enjoyable to feel like you are going to vomit because of a thought you did not ask for and cannot get rid of. It is a relentless loop of “what ifs” and “just in cases” that can take over your entire life.

OCD can interfere with relationships, work, sleep, and basic daily functioning. It is often accompanied by shame and secrecy because people worry others would not understand, or worse, will think they are dangerous or irrational.

Time To Rethink The Label

You might just be tidy. Or meticulous. Or even perfectionistic. And that is fine. But OCD? That is a diagnosis. A tough, often debilitating one that deserves respect. If you think you might actually have OCD, then help is available. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), particularly Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), has been proven to be effective. But it starts with understanding what OCD really is.

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is not just about science, syringes and success rates. What lies behind the walls of fertility clinics is a deeply personal journey filled with hope, heartbreak and resilience, making it more than just a medical procedure. Beyond the social taboos, infertility brings huge stress to the patients. And while IVF offers hope, it does not come easy. It is a rollercoaster ride that patients experience as they take on the road to this procedure; highs and lows can take a severe mental toll on them.

However, for those unversed, infertility has been classified by the World Health Organisation as a disease like diabetes or hypertension; the social taboo around it still persists. Over the years, advancements in reproductive science have made IVF treatments more patient-friendly and significantly improved outcomes. Yet, the focus often leans heavily on science, expertise and clinic proficiency, while the mental and emotional toll on the couple is overlooked.

For many, the psychological impact of IVF can match that of the death of a family member or going through a divorce. Although many people find IVF very stressful, every patient experiences it differently. Personalities and life experiences play a big role in determining how one handles the process and what part of IVF they find most difficult.

Why Is IVF So Emotionally Draining?

We ask an expert to break down several key factors that contribute to the immense stress IVF brings:

• Uncertainty of Outcomes

• Physical Strain

• Societal Pressure

• Guilt and Shame

• Depression After Failed Attempts

• Relationship Strain

Learning to Cope with Support Systems That Help

There is light at the end of the tunnel, and as Dr Saple says, there are several strategies that can help couples better cope with the IVF process.

• Psychological Counselling

• Support Groups

• Mind–Body Practices

Setting Realistic Expectations

“IVF may take more than one cycle to succeed,” she explains. Being mentally prepared for the outcome, while knowing you have done your best, helps couples accept results with resilience.

It is Okay to Ask for Help

As Dr Saple reminds us, mental and emotional health are as important as physical health during IVF. Prioritising emotional wellbeing not only makes the journey more bearable but can also improve the overall outcome. “Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness,” she says.

Millie Campbell was just eight years old in 2019 when a missed flu shot turned into a life-threatening ordeal, notes ABC News, Australia. What began with aches in her legs soon escalated into multiple organ failure caused by influenza B, a virus her parents never imagined could be so severe.

“They had to drain 200 millilitres of fluid from her heart, it was struggling,” her mother Stephanie Campbell recalled. “I think the doctor's words were: ‘Your daughter could die tonight’.”

Millie was airlifted from Newcastle to Westmead Children’s Hospital in Sydney, reports ABC News. Soon after arriving, she went into cardiac arrest. Her father, Ian Campbell, described the scene as surreal. “There was no indication she was going to survive,” he said.

A Long Road to Recovery

Millie, previously fit and healthy with no pre-existing conditions, spent weeks in intensive care and six months in hospital. The damage from being on life support for so long led to poor circulation, and eventually, doctors had to amputate her left foot.

She had to learn to walk again. Today, reports ABC News, Millie uses a prosthetic leg and has turned to swimming not just for rehabilitation, but as a passion, one that has taken her to national championships and World Trials. Her eyes are now set on the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles.

“Millie’s recovery will be a lifelong journey,” Ms Campbell said. “Seeing how severe the flu can be, our message is: talk to your medical practitioner about the vaccine.”

Why Influenza B Is Hitting Children Hard

Although influenza A typically gets more public attention due to its pandemic potential, Australia has seen a sharp rise in influenza B cases, especially in children aged 5 to 16. According to Professor Patrick Reading from the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Influenza Research, type B can often be more severe in children, though the reason remains unclear.

“It's a bit of a mystery,” Professor Reading told ABC News. “We see this association, but we can't say there's something specific about the virus that causes it to affect children more.”

Vaccination rates among this age group are currently the lowest of all, following a steady decline since the COVID-19 pandemic. Professor Reading warned that fading immunity, combined with lower vaccine uptake, is placing a burden on the healthcare system.

“We're not through the worst of it yet. Flu circulation continues through August to October,” he added. “It’s not too late to get vaccinated.”

Confusion Around Flu Vaccine Access

Millie’s parents said they’d always kept up with her vaccinations. But once she turned five, they mistakenly believed the flu wasn’t a major risk anymore.

Under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), the flu vaccine is free only for children aged six months to five years, people over 65, and other vulnerable groups.

In contrast, states like Queensland and Western Australia are temporarily offering free vaccines to all residents, a move public health experts say should be adopted nationally.

Julie Leask, a vaccination policy expert from the University of Sydney, told ABC News, the current risk-based model isn't working. “When a vaccine is on the NIP, it sends a strong message that it's important,” she said. “Some doctors still wrongly advise against it for kids.”

Misinformation and Vaccine Hesitancy

Falling childhood vaccination rates, rising anti-vaccine sentiment, and misinformation, especially on social media, have complicated public health efforts.

Professor Leask pointed to anti-vaccine rhetoric, such as that from US politician Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as a growing influence in Australia. Kennedy has falsely linked vaccines to autism and recently pushed against COVID-19 vaccinations for children and pregnant women.

“We’re seeing the mainstreaming of misinformation,” Leask warned. “It’s having a ripple effect here too.”

Research shows common reasons parents skip the flu shot for kids include a lack of awareness, absence of a healthcare provider recommendation, time constraints, cost, and safety concerns.

A Family’s Call to Action

As Millie thrives in her new life, her parents remain vocal about the importance of vaccination.

“This growing hesitancy is driven by people struggling to tell the difference between facts and misinformation,” Mr Campbell said. “Most people spend more time on social media than listening to experts, but that’s not where you should be getting your health advice.”

“Vaccination protects not just your child but the whole community.”