Many men and women have hair loss problems. By the age of 30, approximately 25% of men and 12% of women experience significant hair loss. This number rises in accordance 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 article, 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 share what you can do about it.
What Is Testosterone?
Testosterone is a naturally occurring hormone. Your body makes it every day. Though it’s known as the male sex hormone, women produce it too — they just make less.
This hormone is key to most of your body’s functions.
In men, testosterone helps with:
- Muscle growth
- Facial and body hair
- Sex drive
- Making sperm
In women, it supports:
- Bone strength
- Mood balance
- Libido
Both men and women need testosterone to stay healthy.
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 is what keeps your hair healthy and full, but it can also explain why hair falls out.
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 starts growing.
At any time, about 90% of your scalp hairs are in the growth phase. The rest are either resting or getting ready to fall.
Why This Matters for Hair Loss
If something shortens your growth phase or makes the shedding phase longer, you may start to notice thinning hair or bald patches.
One major cause of this is a hormone called DHT.
What Is DHT?
DHT stands for dihydrotestosterone. It’s made from testosterone with the help of an enzyme in your body.
While DHT helps in male development, it can be bad news for 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, female hair loss too.
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 sex drive. But when it comes to hair on your head, this hormone can be tricky.
Here’s why.
In your body, testosterone changes into another hormone called DHT (short for dihydrotestosterone). DHT is a stronger version of testosterone. While it’s helpful for some body functions, it can be bad for your hair. DHT sticks to the hair follicles—those tiny pockets in your scalp that grow hair. Over time, this can shrink the follicles. When that happens, the hair becomes thin and weak and may stop growing altogether.
This is why high levels of DHT are linked to pattern baldness—especially in men. The medical name for this is androgenetic alopecia. It’s one of the most common causes of hair loss in the world.
But what about women?
Does High Testosterone Cause Hair Loss in Females?
Yes, it can.
Although females have less testosterone than males, the hormone is still relevant. If a woman’s body produces excessive amounts of testosterone or DHT, that can also influence the state of her hair. This often presents as hair thinning at the top of the head or an enlarged hair part. Women sometimes also see increased facial hair or acne, markers of too many androgens (male-type hormones).
One health condition that causes this is PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). It affects hormone levels and may lead to hair loss in women. Women with PCOS may have high testosterone or insulin, both of which can impact hair growth.
Still, not all women with high testosterone lose hair. Genetics and hair type can also play a big role in how your body reacts 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 your hair into a resting phase, which leads to more shedding than usual. This type of hair loss is called telogen effluvium. It usually starts a few weeks or months after the stressful event.
- Poor diet: This is another common cause. If you don’t get enough protein, iron, or vitamins like B12 and D, your hair may suffer. Hair needs fuel to grow, just like the rest of your body.
- Medical conditions: Like thyroid problems or autoimmune diseases can also lead to hair thinning. In autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata, your body attacks its own hair follicles. This causes patchy hair loss and may happen suddenly.
- Hair styling habits: Tight hairstyles, chemical treatments, or heat tools can damage your scalp. This is especially risky when your hair is so dry or already fragile.
And yes, some medications can lead to hair fall. This includes treatments for high blood pressure, depression, or cancer.
Signs You Might Have High Testosterone
Testosterone is a key hormone in your body. It plays a big role in many of your physical and emotional functions. When your testosterone levels are too high, it can cause some noticeable changes.
Here are some common symptoms that may show you have high testosterone:
- Acne: Increased testosterone can lead to more oil production on your skin. This causes clogged pores and acne.
- Irregular periods (for women): An excessive level of testosterone can disrupt your menstrual cycle. You might miss some periods or have changes in how often you get them.
- More facial or body hair: Men with higher testosterone may grow more facial hair or hair on their chest or back. It could even lead to thinning hair on your scalp.
- Aggression or mood swings: If a person has elevated testosterone, it can cause some shift in mood, most noticeably creating a sense of agitation, aggression and simply a higher level of irritability and anxiety.
If you notice any of these changes, it might be a beneficial idea to check in with your doctor. They can conduct tests to determine if high testosterone is the culprit.
How Doctors Diagnose the Cause of Hair Loss
If you are losing your hair, you may be curious as to why. To determine what’s behind symptoms like these, doctors have several approaches, and the outcome informs their choice of appropriate treatments.
Here’s how doctors typically test for causes of hair loss:
- Blood tests: They can help determine if any hormonal imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, or other medical conditions are impacting your hair.
- Hormone levels: A blood test can also test whether your hormones, including testosterone, are unbalanced. Hormones such as DHT (a derivative of testosterone) can have an impact on hair growth.
- Physical exam: Your doctor will probably shine a light on and examine your scalp. They look for signs of infection or conditions such as dandruff that may be causing hair loss.
- Family history: Genetics can be a major factor in hair loss. If you have a family history of hair loss, that could be a major contributor to your case.
If you have high testosterone-prostate baldness, a doctor can assist in directing you to treatments that are right for you.
Treatment Options
Once the cause of hair loss is identified, there are a few treatments that have shown positive results in research.
Here are some common treatment options:
Medications
Minoxidil is a popular treatment for hair loss. You apply it directly to your scalp. It has been shown to help slow hair loss and even promote hair growth.
Finasteride is a prescription medication that helps lower DHT levels, which can prevent further hair loss.
Hormone therapy (for women)
If high testosterone is the cause of hair loss in women, hormone therapy can help. This might involve medications like birth control pills or anti-androgens that help lower testosterone.
Natural treatments
- Diet changes: Eating a healthy, balanced diet can support hair growth. Foods rich in vitamins and minerals, like biotin and iron, are good for hair health.
- Stress management: High levels of stress can make hair loss worse. Practicing relaxation techniques, like yoga or deep breathing, can help reduce stress and support hair health.
Hair transplants
If other treatments don’t work, you might consider a hair transplant. This surgery involves moving hair follicles from one part of your scalp to another. While it’s effective, it’s also costly and requires recovery time.
After all, your doctors can recommend the best treatment based on the cause of 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 address the cause early and take steps to manage your hormone levels.
Here’s how you can help prevent hair loss from high testosterone:
- Managing DHT levels: DHT is a major factor in hair loss related to high testosterone. Medications like finasteride can help lower DHT levels and prevent hair loss.
- Healthy lifestyle tips:
- Eating a balanced diet can support healthy hair.
- Regular exercise can help balance your hormones and reduce stress.
- Avoiding harsh chemicals and heat treatments can keep your hair healthy and prevent further damage.
- Early signs to watch for: Keep an eye out for early signs of hair thinning or shedding. The sooner you notice it, the easier it is to address it with treatment.
- Importance of timely treatment: If you catch high testosterone levels early, you’re more likely to prevent further hair loss. Timely treatment can make a big difference in the outcome.
Last Words
Hair loss from high testosterone is real, but it’s not the only cause. DHT plays a big part in shrinking your hair follicles and making your hair fall out.
If you think you have high testosterone or are experiencing hair loss, seeing a doctor early is the best way to manage it. They can offer the right tests and treatments to help keep your hair healthy.
