Does Testosterone Cause Hair Loss?

When it comes to male pattern hair loss (MPHL) or androgenetic alopecia, testosterone is a hormone which surely comes under discussion because it is considered to be the primary culprit in causing male pattern baldness. With testosterone levels fluctuating and varying because of age or intentionally altered by taking supplements, it is not a surprise that its relationship with hair health is often questioned. However, the specifics of how testosterone influences hair growth are more complex and must require better knowledge of how to deal with hair loss associated with fluctuations in the levels of hormones in the body.

Key Takeaways

• Testosterone indirectly causes hair loss by its metabolite dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which binds to the hair roots and causes miniaturisation of hair follicles and also cause other changes which result in hair loss, especially in those individuals who are already genetically predisposed to developing baldness.
• Testosterone replacement therapy does have an impact in reducing the production of hair by the hair follicles of the scalp and slowing down the hair growth cycle, thereby causing hair thinning and eventual miniaturisation. However, exceptions are always there and this cannot be considered as a final verdict.
• Advancements in medicine have made it easier for us to reverse the effects of DHT and fight the factors that cause hair loss that eventually aids in reversing hair loss.
• There are various options considered to treat hair loss. These include minoxidil, oral finasteride, topical DHT blockers, laser light and surgical hair restoration by hair transplantation.

Can Taking Testosterone Cause Hair Loss?

A simple and short answer to this question is yes, consuming testosterone can be a cause of hair loss, but indirectly. Testosterone itself is not the primary hormone responsible for hair thinning. The real issue arises from the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a more potent form of androgen and in simple terms, it can be referred to as a strict version of testosterone. DHT binds to the receptors in hair follicles, particularly those that are present in the scalp, and they cause the gradual miniaturisation of the hair follicles, leading to weak and thin hair. This process can eventually result in androgenetic alopecia, which is the medical term for male pattern baldness.

Before delving into the details, lets get an overview of how testosterone influences the human body. It is a sex hormone that primarily plays a role in the male reproductive system. It causes the development of male reproductive organs at an early age. After the onset of puberty, it is mainly responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics, it also regulates spermatogenesis and sexual drive (libido) in men. In addition to that, it regulates bone mass, muscle mass and strength. Testosterone and hair loss are often linked with each other. After reading this article, you will get a comprehensive idea about how testosterone is related to male androgenetic alopecia.

Even if an individual has normal testosterone levels, hair loss can still occur in those people who are genetically sensitive to DHT. Therefore, it excludes the fact that most men with high testosterone levels will lose hair and not the ones with normal levels. It primarily depends upon your genes. Several studies show that phytoestrogens, hormones found in foods, contribute as much as endogenous androgens to the formation of DHT or even more; Testosterone is administered through various ways among which the common ones include hormone replacement therapy (HRT), injectable forms of testosterone formulation or anabolic steroids. All of these advance the nascent stage of hair loss to DHT rapidly. This is more so where the beginner of male pattern baldness is present either through a genetic factor or where one is resorting to other methods of camouflaging such as non-surgical hair restoration with a hair patch or a toupee. 

Thus, I would like to emphasise on the fact that not all people who use testosterone will definitely undergo hair loss. This involves the extent of hair loss and ranges from one person to another genetically, age and the body sensitivity to products such as testosterone and DHT. But, for those who already are predisposed to one of the aforementioned factors and many of the readers must be, taking supplements of testosterone will only make things worse.

Will My Hair Grow Back if I Stop Taking Testosterone?

The answer to this question isn’t that straight because multiple factors influence the outcome, including the length of time a person has been using testosterone and the tendency of that individual toward hair loss. It is possible to regrow your lost hair if testosterone is stopped before it causes severe damage to the follicles to an extent where it reaches the point of no return. This happens when the hair follicles undergo considerable shrinkage or miniaturised and are permanently harmed, regrowth may become hindered for good, especially in the permanently damaged follicle/s

Although hair loss or thinning from early-stage androgenetic alopecia can occur, the hair can continue to regrow. Stopping testosterone replacement therapy does play a role in hair regrowth as it causes the scalp to lower the levels of DHT and, therefore, gives enough time to the follicles to regain their lost strength. For some people, hair loss may considerably reduce once testosterone levels come back to normal and DHT levels are reduced. These hormones just like rest of the hormones of the body work via feedback mechanism and in this way the homeostasis of our body is maintained.

However, restoring hair is not possible if the damage is caused beyond repair and it is due to the long-term use of testosterone. If the follicles sustain serious damage or destruction the scalp abruptly loses the ability to generate healthy hair because it is a protective response. As a result of this condition, prompt consultation with a dermatologist is necessary for anyone who sees initial signs of hair thinning during testosterone treatment.

Will Testosterone Change My Hair Growth Pattern?

The effects of testosterone and its metabolite DHT vary significantly based on the location of the hair. When testosterone rises, it could impact scalp hair but frequently drive growth in other body parts. Testosterone boost can lead to thicker hair on the face and chest. Testosterone replacement therapy leads many men to notice increased body hair growth and thicker beards with a simultaneous loss of scalp hair. That is the reason we often notice in our lives that men who are bald or have a receding hairline have thicker facial hair and have significantly increased amount of body hair as compared to the men who have a head full of hair.

Having said that, testosterone has a different response to hair density among individuals. A few people may feel a distinct change in the thickness of the hair on their scalp and body. Each hair follicle set also responds differently to DHT levels in every individual, which can lead to either gaining more body hair or losing scalp hair. Therefore, it all varies and nothing really can be considered as a final verdict as various researches have taken place in the past and will continue as it is an issue that concerns a large population of the world.

How to Reverse Male Pattern Baldness

Hair loss secondary to the effects of DHT can be reversed with therapies that lower its levels and hinder its function in the scalp while stimulating hair growth, and helping individuals regain their lost hair. Some of the options are listed as follows which can help treat hair loss:

1. Medications:

Finasteride

Finasteride is one of the commonly recommended medications for conditions associated with excessive DHT, especially male pattern hair loss. Oral finasteride works by blocking the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which is responsible for converting testosterone into DHT. Lowering DHT helps finasteride prevent hair loss in certain men affected by male pattern baldness. This drug does not cause low testosterone levels. However, it is also used for another common medical condition that older men often experience, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), in which there is the enlargement of the prostate gland and this medication helps reduce the size of an enlarged prostate gland. There are reservations regarding the use of 5-alpha=reductase inhibitors that they can cause erectile dysfunction, but it is seen in less than 3% of individuals and it is reversible as well after you discontinue using it.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is one of the most widely known and most commonly prescribed topical medications often employed as a treatment for pattern hair loss in both men and women. Topical minoxidil acts uniquely. Rather than lowering DHT levels, it increases blood flow to the scalp and also supports the hair follicle and causes it to enhance hair growth. Most of the people have noticed that using finasteride in combination with minoxidil produces the highest effectiveness that cause hair to regrow at a much faster pace as compared to monotherapy.

Dutasteride

Just like finasteride, this medication also inhibits the activity of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, however, dutasteride is more powerful and eliminates both types of enzymes (type-I and II).Even though dutasteride is not approved by FDA and is not a licenced drug to be used in most of the countries, its efficacy cannot be denied in the reversal of male hair loss.

2. Topical DHT Blockers:

For people who have inhibitions regarding taking systemic drugs, topical DHT inhibitors can serve as an alternate option. By applying serums and shampoos that include biotin, saw palmetto and other ingredients directly on the scalp hair follicles they could diminish DHT levels at a local level. Although oral medications have much stronger effects as compared topical ones these latter options serve as a valuable supplementary treatment for individuals trying to reduce side effects.

3. Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT):

Low-level laser therapy serves as a suitable option for encouraging hair regeneration. Through the application of certain light wavelengths, LLLT energises hair follicles and extends the phase of hair growth while enhancing follicle health.  Research indicates that the effects of other hair loss treatments such as minoxidil and finasteride can be improved by LLLT.

4. Hair Transplants:

For those individuals with advanced hair loss, only hair transplant might serve as a practical solution. Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) represent the standard methods. In a hair transplant process hair follicles from a part of the scalp that is resistant to DHT (typically the hair in the occipital region and the nape referred to as the donor area) are relocated to thinning or bald areas. If the hair in the donor area are really weak and not that suitable for transplant, chest hair of beard hair can also be considered as an option. Those who experience androgenic alopecia can rely on transplanted follicles that generally are not affected by DHT.

5. Lifestyle Modifications and Nutritional Changes:

While genetic determinants greatly impact hair loss, adopting a healthy lifestyle can improve the overall condition of your hair. Consuming a diet rich in vital nutrients such as biotin and zinc can support healthy hair follicles and stimulate hair growth. Practises like yoga or meditation can lessen stress and may ultimately assist in halting hair loss caused by prolonged stress which worsens androgenic alopecia.

Conclusion

Testosterone and its metabolite DHT interact intricately with hair growth. In genetically susceptible individuals, testosterone stimulates body and facial hair growth but can result in hair loss on the scalp especially on the vertex and hairline, leading to progressive male pattern baldness. When it comes to dealing with DHT-related hair loss, a comprehensive strategy is required that involves drugs and topical applications along with lifestyle modifications and laser therapy. In patients with advanced hair loss, a hair transplant is also an excellent option for hair restoration. Taking prompt action and identifying the extent of hair loss in time can help keep hair healthy and safeguard against lasting damage for individuals suffering hair loss caused by testosterone.