There are lots of potential causes of hair loss, including genetics, stress, and even an unhealthy lifestyle. But what about testosterone, can it directly cause your hair to fall out? In this article, we cast a light on one of the most commonly held assumptions about testosterone and hair loss and explain what you need to know about a hormone called dihydrotestosterone. We also introduce you to some clinically proven treatments for male pattern hair loss, which you can turn to in order to treat the condition.
Does testosterone lead to hair loss?
While so many people believe that testosterone is responsible for hair loss, it’s actually one of the most widely circulated myths about male pattern hair loss. Rather than being caused by testosterone, male pattern hair loss is commonly caused by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a byproduct of testosterone. But what exactly is DHT, and how does it cause hair loss in men?
Introducing dihydrotestosterone
DHT is an androgen – a sex hormone – and it is one of the leading causes of male pattern hair loss. Somewhat confusingly, DHT actually contributes to hair growth and sex characteristics during puberty, but as you get older, it can lead to the loss of hair on your scalp. Thanks to an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, around 10% of a man’s testosterone is converted to DHT. When present, DHT can bind to the receptors on your hair follicles, causing them to shrink and eventually die out if left untreated.
DHT and hair loss
Most men lose between 50 and 100 hairs every single day as their hair passes through four natural stages of growth. The last stage is called the exogen (shedding) phase and is responsible for the loss of hair follicles, enabling new hair to grow up in their absence. But when DHT is present in your bloodstream, it can bind to your hair follicles, which can cause your hair to thin and even fall out. If you have the androgen receptor in your genes, you’re more susceptible to the effects of DHT, which is why male pattern hair loss is widely considered to be caused by genetics.
Can you do anything about DHT?
Fortunately, you don’t just need to grin and bear it if DHT is causing your hair to fall out. Although it’s impossible to change your genetic makeup, you can turn to clinically proven medications to treat hair loss. The leading medication is Finasteride, which has been shown to prevent DHT from binding with the receptors on your hair follicles. When taken over time, Finasteride can prevent the miniaturisation of your hair follicles caused by DHT, which is an important step toward treating male pattern hair loss.
When used together with Minoxidil, Finasteride represents your best chance of treating male pattern hair loss. Take a look at Sons’ range of effective hair loss treatments to find the perfect solution for your hair loss today.
Recap: Hair loss and testosterone
So, in spite of the widely perpetuated myth, testosterone does not cause your hair to fall out. Rather, DHT – a byproduct of testosterone – is largely responsible for male pattern hair loss, and your susceptibility to DHT is primarily genetic. But the good news is that if you’re suffering from male pattern hair loss, you can turn to several treatments to improve your hair growth, as introduced above.
