Does testosterone cause hair loss? Many men and women experience problems with hair loss. By the age of 30, approximately 25% of men and 12% of women experience significant hair loss. This number rises with age, reaching up to 85% of men and 33% of women in their lifetime.
Many people believe that high testosterone can cause hair loss. But is this true? In this guide, we will discuss the relationship between testosterone and hair loss. We’ll take a closer look at how it affects both men and women and discuss what you can do about it, including advice on how to naturally increase testosterone safely.
The Link Between Testosterone and Hair Loss
Testosterone is a hormone found in both males and females. It helps with many things like building muscles, growing body hair, and boosting sexual drive. But when it comes to the hair on your head, this hormone can cause problems.
Here’s why.Testosterone is converted into another hormone called DHT (short for dihydrotestosterone) in your body. DHT is a stronger form of testosterone. While it helps with certain body functions, it can harm your hair. DHT attaches to hair follicles, the small openings in your scalp that grow hair. Over time, this can cause the follicles to shrink. When that happens, hair becomes thinner, weaker, and may stop growing completely.
Why are high levels of DHT linked to pattern hair loss, especially in men? The medical term for this is androgenetic alopecia. It’s one of the most common causes of hair loss worldwide. But what about women?
Does High Testosterone Cause Hair Loss in Females?
Yes, it can. Although women have less testosterone than men, the hormone still matters. If a woman’s body makes too much testosterone or DHT, it can affect her hair. This often shows up as thinning at the top of the head or a wider part of the hair. Some women may also notice more facial hair or acne, signs of having too many androgens (male hormones).
One health issue that can cause hair loss is PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). It changes hormone levels in women. Women with PCOS may have high female testosterone levels or insulin, both of which can affect hair growth.
Still, not all women with high testosterone levels lose hair. Genetics and hair type also play a big role in how the body responds to hormone changes.
Other Causes of Hair Loss
Hormones are only part of the story. There are many other reasons for hair loss.
Stress: Physical or emotional stress can push hair into a resting phase, causing more shedding than usual. This type of hair loss is called telogen effluvium. It often begins a few weeks or months after the stressful event.
Poor diet: This is another common reason. If you don’t get enough protein, iron, or vitamins B12 and D, your hair can become weak. Hair needs proper nutrition to grow, just like the rest of your body.
Medical conditions: Problems like thyroid disorders or autoimmune diseases can also cause hair thinning. In autoimmune conditions such as alopecia areata, the immune system attacks hair follicles. This leads to patchy hair loss, sometimes suddenly. Many people also ask, Does testosterone make you taller, as this hormone influences growth during puberty.
Hair styling habits: Tight hairstyles, chemical treatments, or frequent use of heat tools can damage the scalp and hair. This is especially harmful when hair is already dry or fragile.
And yes, some medications can cause hair loss. These include treatments for high blood pressure, depression, and cancer.
What’s a Normal Testosterone Level?
Testosterone levels are measured through a blood test. The numbers can change based on your age and health.
Here’s what’s considered normal:
- For men: 300 to 1,000 ng/dL
- For women: 15 to 70 ng/dL
If your levels are too high or too low, it can affect your body in many ways, including your hair.
How Hair Growth Works
Hair doesn’t grow all the time. It grows in a cycle. This cycle keeps your hair healthy, but can also explain why hair falls out. Some people may wonder, Does low testosterone cause hair loss? While low levels of this hormone are less commonly linked to hair loss than high levels, hormonal imbalances of any kind can affect the hair growth cycle.
The 4 Stages of Hair Growth
- Anagen (growth phase): This is when your hair grows. It lasts for 2 to 7 years.
- Catagen (transition phase): The hair stops growing. This stage only lasts about 10 to 14 days.
- Telogen (resting phase): Hair rests before falling out. This phase lasts around 3 months.
- Exogen (shedding phase): The hair falls out, and a new one grows.
At any given time, about 90% of the hairs on your scalp are in the growth phase, while the remaining hairs are either resting or preparing to shed.
Why This Matters for Hair Loss
If something shortens your growth phase or makes the shedding phase longer, you may notice thinning hair or bald patches.
One of the main causes of this is a hormone called DHT.
What Is DHT?
DHT stands for dihydrotestosterone. It is produced from testosterone by an enzyme in your body. While DHT plays a role in male development, it can also have a negative impact on your hair.
Here’s how DHT affects your scalp:
- Shrinks hair follicles
- Shortens the growth phase
- Slows down new hair growth
- Makes each hair thinner over time
This is a key reason behind male pattern baldness, and in some cases, females also face hair loss.
Signs You Might Have High Testosterone
Testosterone is an important hormone in your body. It plays a major role in many physical and emotional functions. When testosterone levels are too high, it can lead to noticeable changes. Many people also wonder, does nicotine increase testosterone, and how such factors affect hormone balance?
Here are some common signs that may suggest you have high testosterone:
Acne: Higher testosterone can increase oil production in your skin, which can clog pores and cause acne.
Irregular periods (in women): Too much testosterone can affect your menstrual cycle. You may miss periods or notice changes in how often they occur.
More facial or body hair: Men with high testosterone may grow more facial hair or hair on the chest and back. It can also cause hair thinning on the scalp.
Aggression or mood swings: High testosterone levels can affect mood, leading to irritation, anger, anxiety, or sudden mood changes.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor. They can run tests to see if high testosterone is the cause.
How Doctors Diagnose the Cause of Hair Loss
If you’re losing your hair, you might be wondering why. To find the cause of symptoms like this, doctors use several methods, and the results help them choose the best treatment.
Here’s how doctors usually check for the causes of hair loss:
Blood tests: These can show if hormone imbalances, vitamin or mineral shortages, or other health problems are affecting your hair.
Hormone levels: Blood tests can also check if hormones like testosterone are too high or too low. One hormone, DHT (made from testosterone), can affect hair growth.
Physical exam: Your doctor will look closely at your scalp, often using a light, to check for infections or conditions like dandruff that could be causing hair loss.
Family history: Genetics is a common reason for hair loss. If others in your family have lost hair, it may be a factor in your case too.
If your hair loss is related to high testosterone or male-pattern baldness, a doctor can help guide you to the right treatment options.
Treatment Options
Once the cause of hair loss is known, there are several treatments that have shown good results in studies.
Here are some common options:
Medications
Minoxidil is a well-known treatment for hair loss. You apply it directly to the scalp. It can slow down hair loss and even help new hair grow.
Finasteride is a prescription medicine that lowers DHT levels, which can help prevent further hair loss.
Hormone therapy (for women)
If high testosterone is causing hair loss in women, hormone therapy may help. This can include birth control pills or medicines called anti-androgens that lower testosterone levels.
Natural treatments
Diet changes: Eating a healthy, balanced diet supports hair growth. Foods high in vitamins and minerals, like biotin and iron, are especially helpful for hair health.
Stress management: Too much stress can make hair loss worse. Relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing can help lower stress and support healthy hair.
Hair transplants
If other treatments don’t work, a hair transplant may be an option. This surgery moves hair follicles from one part of your scalp to another. It can be effective, but it’s expensive and requires healing time.
In the end, your doctor can recommend the best treatment based on what’s causing your hair loss.
Can You Prevent Hair Loss from High Testosterone?
Hair loss caused by high testosterone can sometimes be prevented or at least slowed down. The key is to treat the cause early and take steps to manage hormone levels.
Here’s how you can help prevent hair loss linked to high testosterone:
Managing DHT levels: DHT is a major cause of hair loss related to high testosterone. Medicines like finasteride can lower DHT and help stop hair loss.
Healthy lifestyle tips:
- Eating a well-balanced diet supports strong, healthy hair.
- Regular exercise helps balance hormones and lowers stress.
- Avoiding harsh hair products and heat styling protects your hair from damage.
Early signs to watch for:
Look out for signs like thinning hair or extra shedding. The sooner you spot these changes, the sooner you can start treatment.
Importance of timely treatment:
If high testosterone is found early, it’s easier to control hair loss. Starting treatment on time can improve your results.
Final Thoughts
Hair loss caused by high testosterone is real, but it’s not the only reason. DHT plays a big role in shrinking hair follicles and making hair fall out. If you think you have high testosterone or notice hair loss, seeing a doctor early is the best step. They can run tests and recommend treatments to help keep your hair healthy.
