One of the most frequently discussed health topics is the relationship between testosterone and hair loss. Surprisingly, there are scientific studies that link testosterone with both baldness as well as hair growth. Now, with the recent advances in medical science, it has become easier to understand how testosterone and hair loss are related.
Testosterone and Hair Loss – Are They Related?
The answer is yes – testosterone has a significant impact on hair growth, especially on the scalp. Medical reports confirm that almost all patients suffering from androgenic baldness have issues with their testosterone levels.
The relation between testosterone and hair loss goes deeper. The issue can be genetic in nature, which affects the androgenic receptors (AR). It can either make them resistant or sensitive to the hormone, thus affecting normal scalp hair growth.
Impact of Testosterone on Hair Loss
To understand the impact of testosterone, let’s take a quick overview of it. Testosterone is an androgenic hormone primarily produced by testes, though the ovaries also produce it in small quantities. It plays a significant role in:
Facial, scalp, and body hair growth.
Developing male sex organs.
Development of Adam’s Apple, leading to a deeper voice.
Defining higher muscle mass and density. Storage of adipose tissue in the body.
The hormone exists in many different forms, such as free, within cells, as dihydrotestosterone (DHT), or bound to sex hormone-binding globulin protein.
Excessive testosterone production is a primary cause of hair loss. One of the most common issues related to it is androgenic alopecia. It characterized by high levels of testosterone and hair loss, despite a normal lifestyle. It affects both sexes, confirming that testosterone influences hair growth in females as well.
Testosterone Levels and Hair
An average male will have 279-1070ng/dL of testosterone in their blood, whereas the count for females measures at 15-70 ng/dL. However, men are biologically built to have significantly more testosterone in their bodies compared to women. Testosterone boosts facial hair growth, but it has a more complex effect on scalp hair.
Both high and low concentrations of testosterone were found in male and female patients suffering from alopecia. So, what is the link between testosterone levels and hair loss?
A higher testosterone level signals the body to produce more 5-alpha reductase (5-AR). This creates more DHT, which inhibits scalp hair growth. The opposite can also be true, where patients have a low testosterone count but a high 5-AR concentration.
You may have noticed balding people still sporting a thick beard. Why is that?
DHT affects scalp follicles differently as compared to the rest of the body. It boosts the growth of facial hair while inhibiting that of scalp hair. This often leaves balding patients with unaffected hair growth on the rest of the body.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and Hair Loss
Approximately 10 percent of testosterone is converted into DHT by the enzymatic action of 5-AR. DHT is five times more potent than regular testosterone.
The confusing thing is, the same DHT is responsible for hair growth on other parts of the body, such as pubic, chest and legs. So why are the effects so different?
The most apparent answer lies in genetics. DHT targets almost the same receptors as testosterone, though it binds longer and more easily. Some people are more sensitive to it, which causes them to experience premature hair loss.
DHT causes scalp follicles to shrink and reduces their natural lifespan. Your hair goes through 3 phases:
- Anagen: Growth, lasts 2-6 years.
- Catagen: Hair follicle renewal, lasts 2 weeks.
- Telogen: Resting phase, lasts 1-4 months.
DHT reduces the root depth of hair follicles, leaving them weak and susceptible to hair fall. This also weakens the hair. The disruption in hair the growth cycle eventually starts causing baldness.
Is Baldness Sign of Masculinity?
Baldness being a sign of masculinity is, in fact, just a myth. There are numerous reasons which contribute towards baldness, from genetics and testosterone to stress and diet.
Patients may have low levels of testosterone but high levels of 5-AR in their bodies. This may end up producing imbalanced, high quantities of DHT, which leads to baldness.
Patients with genetically sensitive receptors may also suffer from androgenic alopecia. Even normal quantities of DHT will disrupt their hair growth cycle.
Baldness can only be linked to high testosterone and hair loss in select cases, thus proving it as a myth.
Linking Testosterone to Hair Loss in Women
Women have a significantly lower testosterone count, but they are still at risk of androgenic balding.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a major sex steroid hormone in women. 5-AR converts it into DHT, which affects them the same way it affects male patients. Women are also equally susceptible to genetically inherit testosterone and hair loss issues.
Medically Proven Treatments for Hair Loss
The following are the best scientifically endorsed treatments for baldness caused by testosterone and hair loss:
Start Pumping Iron
This myth holds true to its weight. Hitting the gym not only boosts testosterone production, but it also enhances its absorption. It activates your androgen receptors to utilize the hormones instead of leaving them bound.
Weight training provides the best results, as it initiates cellular hypertrophy. As a result, your body has more cells for testosterone to bond with. As an added result, it boosts testosterone secretion, which can actually help regrow fallen hair.
Biotin
Commonly known as vitamin H, biotin is an excellent supplement to promote hair growth. It helps maintain healthy levels of keratin, a fibrous, structural protein. Hair is made up of 95 percent keratin, and biotin ensures the follicles have ample keratin to grow and maintain themselves.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a vasodilator used to treat blood pressure patients. It has also found widespread application for treating hair loss. It is used as a topical applicant on the scalp to dilate capillaries. This enhances the circulation of oxygenated blood and nutrients to hair follicles, rejuvenating their growth.
Finasteride
Finasteride directly binds with the 5-AR enzyme. It stops testosterone from being converted into DHT, which reduces its concentration. It is an effective oral drug for treating patients with testosterone and hair loss issues.