Are Testosterone and Hair Loss Connected? Here’s What Science Says

Hair loss is a perplexing and distressing issue for millions of people, especially for the ones trying to pinpoint its root cause. Among the many factors often cited, hormones, especially testosterone, are often the center of attention. Some of you may also have come across the fact that testosterone is the hormone responsible for hair damage but exactly how does this androgen correlate with the process of losing hair? More precisely, how does testosterone contribute to the clinical picture of alopecia?

On that note, Lordhair - trusted globally for men’s hair pieces and women wigs - decided to write an extensive guide explaining the connection between testosterone and alopecia. Let’s get this comprehensive blog started by answering some FAQs!

Testosterone and Hair Loss FAQs

Since a lot of people have very specific questions related to hair damage caused due to testosterone, let’s first answer some common questions:

Does hair loss stem from excess or lacking testosterone?

Hair loss stems from the activity of DHT, a byproduct of testosterone, and the sensitivity of hair follicles to it. It’s not about excess or deficient testosterone but how it converts and affects the follicles.

Is it true that high testosterone makes you lose hair?

High testosterone alone doesn't cause hair loss; it’s the conversion of testosterone to DHT and the sensitivity of hair follicles to DHT that leads to hair loss.

Is there a relation between testosterone and hair loss?

Yes, testosterone is related to hair loss through its byproduct, DHT. When testosterone converts to DHT, it can shrink hair follicles in genetically susceptible individuals, leading to hair thinning or loss.

Is alopecia linked to low testosterone?

Alopecia is not typically linked to low testosterone. Instead, hair loss is more often associated with DHT, a byproduct of testosterone, which can cause hair follicles to shrink in genetically predisposed individuals.

Is hair loss due to testosterone reversible?

Hair loss due to testosterone, specifically from DHT, is partially reversible in some cases. Treatments like DHT blockers (finasteride, for instance) and topical solutions like minoxidil can help slow down hair loss and, in some cases, promote regrowth, but results vary from person to person.

Is DHT really the cause of hair loss?

Yes, DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is a major cause of androgenetic alopecia, the most common type of hair loss. It binds to hair follicles, causing them to shrink, which leads to thinner hair and eventually reduced hair growth in individuals genetically predisposed to hair loss.

Now that we have addressed the most common questions, let’s talk in detail about the ill famed connection!

Connection Between Testosterone and Hair Loss

Testosterone is also connected to hair loss, but this connection mostly has to do with its derivative, dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. DHT is a more active version of testosterone produced by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. DHT is what impacts the hair follicles greatly within the scale of testosterone itself.
In individuals with a genetic predisposition, DHT attaches to androgen receptors in hair follicles, causing them to shrink. This cycle means that, with time, the quality of hair reduces in terms of density, strength, and size, eventually leading to excessive hair loss in persons who suffer from certain conditions such as androgenetic alopecia which is also referred to as male or female pattern baldness.
Although surplus testosterone level usually translates to more DHT levels in the system, hair loss is not just as a result of elevated testosterone levels; DHT receptors are a determining factor. Hormone-related hair loss is common in both men and women but with females, high DHT levels often tag along with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Knowing how these factors are connected helps in coming up with interventions that will be effective. Such options may involve the use of hormonal treatments, the most common being DHT antagonists such as finasteride and topical agents such as minoxidil, as well as alteration of hormonal levels through lifestyle approaches that may minimize excessive hair shedding and encourage hair growth.

Causes of Excessive Testosterone Production on Body

Excessive testosterone production in the body depends on many factors, and it would be an asset to recognize them so as to mitigate their effects on health and prevent conditions such as hair loss. Here are some of the major factors that increase testosterone levels:

Genetic Factors: Certain people may be genetically inclined to high testosterone. Variations in an individual’s genes can influence the levels of hormones produced by the body and their regulation, causing some individuals to have their Testosterone levels higher than normal. Learn more about genetic hair loss.

Hormonal Disorders: Hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women pregnancy among others heightens levels of testosterone. PCOS presents with symptoms of hormonal imbalances which in most cases leads to testosterone production and observable features such as stopped menstruation and increased hair growth. In males, testicular or adrenal tumors can also be a source of testosterone overproduction.

Adrenal Gland Disorders: Conditions such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia , a disease associated with excessive androgen production can also be associated with overproduction of testosterone. Usually, this condition is genetic, and alters the equilibrium of hormones producing excessive amounts of androgens such as testosterone.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy: Men who are treated for testosterone deficiency levels through testosterone replacement therapy tend to have increased testosterone levels where control is lacking in proper dose management. Health centers must ensure that such patients undergo hormone level control procedures to avoid production of too much testosterone.

Use of Anabolic Steroids: Athletes and muscle builders, alike, engage in the abuse of anabolic steroids to improve their performance, as a result leading to elevated levels of testosterone. This is very risky, as it brings about such health complications like hormonal imbalance, liver complications, and heart problems.

Obesity: Being on the higher side of the weighing scale increases the intra-abdominal fat and leads to elevated levels of an enzyme called aromatase that leads to change of testosterone to estrogen. With such imbalances, our bodily systems may switch to the rapid testosterone synthesis mode that is very easy to achieve but hard to control.

Age: Age is also an important factor since it is associated with hormonal changes that can cause alteration of testosterone levels. Aging in men is sometimes associated with an increase in the level of testosterone, whereas women may begin to have higher levels of androgens around menopause. Learn more about age related hair loss.

Stress: Prolonged stress provides a chronic activation of the fight-or-flight response in us, which may cause increase in the production of the adrenal hormones, including testosterone. Stress in the form of high levels of cortisol impedes the balance of normal hormones thus causing an abnormality, and sometimes health challenges. Learn more about stress related hair fall.

While elevated testosterone can have various effects on the body, one of the notable consequences is hair loss. Increased testosterone levels may increase the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a powerful androgen that attaches itself to hair and shrinks hair follicles. This is more pronounced in people who have a genetic predisposition to androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss) .

Once exposed to DHT, hair follicles have a detrimental effect – the hair implants look thinner, the duration of the hair growth cycle is significantly reduced, and as a result, permanent balding takes place. Those who suffer from androgenetic alopecia are also required to comprehend the connection between overproduction of testosterone and decreased hair density.

Treatments for Hair Loss Due to Testosterone

Intervention strategies aimed at counteracting hair loss associated with high testosterone levels, and particularly due to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) activity, can be helpful in alleviating the symptoms and encouraging hair regrowth. Thus, it is vital to figure out the causes of hair loss due to testosterone before attempting to treat it. Here are some of the prevalent and useful methods of treatment:

DHT Blockers

DHT blockers are drugs that stop the action of an enzyme known as 5-alpha reductase, which changes testosterone into DHT. These treatments lower DHT levels, thereby aiding in lessening hair loss. The DHT blocker that is most often prescribed is finasteride. This is an oral medication that is approved for the treatment of male-pattern hair loss and that in a number of studies has reduced hair loss and encouraged hair growth in lots of men. This drug can also produce side effects, which may include a loss of libido and/or erectile disorders.

Topical Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a solution or aerosol foam that is administered onto the scalp. While its precise working principle remains unknown, it is hypothesized to enhance blood flow to the hair roots and prolong the anagen phase of the hair cycle. Both men and women can apply minoxidil which is sold without a prescription in most countries. Application of minoxidil on a consistent basis allows restoration of hair and also increases the volume of hair in places where it was already present.

Anti-Androgens

For women who experience hair loss as a result of increased levels of testosterone, for instance due to PCOS, there are anti-androgen drugs. Spironolactone is an oral drug which works by blocking androgen receptors, lessening the action that DHT does on hair. This is an effective treatment that can help reduce hair loss and allow hair growth in females but only when there is a prescription and under health care moderation.

Hormonal Treatment

In instances when hair thinning is associated with hormonal factors, HRT may be prescribed by healthcare professionals. In women, hormonal treatments like oral contraceptive pills can induce correction of elevated levels of testosterone which may alleviate some of the hair loss associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome. These methods help to keep the levels of the reproductive hormones in check and the adverse effects of the androgens on the hair shaft, in particular, the hair follicles, are reduced.

Surgical Hair Restoration

Hair transplant surgery is recommended for individuals who don't respond to other recommended treatments and retain a good amount of hair on the head. This entails harvesting hair from a region of the scalp that bears excess hair (usually posterior) then implanted in the region that has thinning hair or no hair at all. Results from hair transplant can be long-lasting and most patients follow an active cycle of hair regrowth, which is not different from the original.

Healthy Living Adjustments

Aside from medical measures, improvement in lifestyle may assist the general condition of the hair as well. A well-balanced diet containing adequate quantities of vitamins and minerals; activities to relieve stress, and a good haircare routine come useful in restoring the proper balance of hormones in the body and encouraging hair growth. Biotin, zinc and omega-3s among other nutrients are very important for the health of hair.

Is Hair Loss from Testosterone Reversible?

The extent of reversibility largely depends on individual factors, including genetics, the stage of hair loss, and the effectiveness of the chosen treatment.
If hair loss is diagnosed in its incipient stages, interventions based on DHT antagonism, especially oral finasteride, are usually successful. It acts by inhibiting the activity of 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme responsible for the transformation of testosterone into its more potent form, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Reduction of DHT levels can halt the further progression of balding and, in a lot of cases, reverse the process of hair follicle miniaturization. Men taking finasteride report increased hair density and thickness after six to twelve months of regular treatment.

Minoxidil is another frequently prescribed medication that increases blood circulation to the hair roots and stimulates their growth. When used in addition to DHT blockers, minoxidil delivers better outcomes. For women, especially those who suffer from conditions like PCOS, anti androgen medications such as spironolactone are effective in lowering testosterone levels leading to less hair loss. Also, hormonal treatments that work to lower the testosterone levels in females are associated with an increase in hair growth.

Having said that, full-blown recovery is almost impossible once the hair follicles have completely miniaturized or have gone into the resting stage (telogen). For individuals with advanced hair loss and thinning, a complete reversal rarely happens. For such cases, hair systems and hair integration systems are greatly helpful in non surgical hair restoration.

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Recover From Testosterone DHT Baldness

We've covered everything you need to know about testosterone and hair loss. While excess testosterone production can cause hair loss, it isn’t something you can’t overcome with the right products and guidance. In case your hair loss has reached an advanced stage, we highly recommend checking our collection of men’s wigs for sale.

Still got queries to ask? Send your queries regarding hair systems to support@lordhair.com or connect with Lordhair on Instagram.