There’s a lot of popular myths around the relationship between testosterone – a sex hormone present in both men and women, but in higher levels in men – and hair loss.
Many people believe that either high or low levels of testosterone cause hair loss, but the reality is more complex.
In this guide, we’ll break down how testosterone influences hair loss, who it’s likely to affect, and look at various ways to treat hair thinning.
Three key takeaways
Both male and female pattern baldness are caused by a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is made from testosterone.
It’s not a person’s levels of DHT, but their genetic sensitivity to it, that cause pattern baldness.
There are several treatments for hair loss available over the counter and by prescription that can treat and reverse hair loss, by blocking DHT and improving blood flow to the scalp.
Does high testosterone cause hair loss?
You may have heard people touting the old wisdom that high testosterone causes hair loss, but this is actually a common misconception.
There’s currently no proven link between regular testosterone and male pattern baldness. For example, a 2017 study of 373 men found no significant link between total testosterone levels in the body and general hair loss.
However, the answer to the question ‘does testosterone cause hair loss’ is a little more complex than a simple, ‘no’.
In those who are genetically predisposed to it, male pattern baldness is caused by a by-product of testosterone conversion in the body, called dihydrotestosterone (‘DHT’, to you and me).
DHT is made from testosterone in the body by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. It can also be made from a hormone more common in women called dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
DHT is produced in your skin, predominantly your hair follicles, and your prostate. It’s not the levels of DHT in your body that causes hair loss, but rather your genetic sensitivity to the hormone. However, if you are genetically sensitive to DHT, higher levels of it will likely lead to more hair loss.
Does low testosterone cause hair loss?
“No, there’s no proven link between hair loss and low testosterone. However, healthy testosterone levels are important.
“They’re linked to a more stable mood, better sleep, and better regulation of stress hormones like cortisol – which is a good thing, since stress can cause hair loss.
“In one 2023 study, 73% of people who experienced hair loss reported feeling stressed. So, making sure your testosterone levels are healthy is a good idea to help stabilize your mood and reduce stress that may trigger hair loss.”
Ayesha Bashir, UK GPhC RegulatedPharmacist at Chemist4U
Testosterone and female hair loss
Similarly to with male pattern baldness, testosterone doesn’t cause hair loss in women, but it is involved indirectly.
As with men, female pattern baldness is caused by a genetic sensitivity to DHT. If you have the genes that cause this sensitivity, you may start to experience hair loss during menopause, as your hormonal balance changes.
Estrogen can help hair grow, but as your oestrogen levels go down during menopause, the rate at which hair grows can slow down, too, and hair follicles can shrink.
In some women, this drop-off in oestrogen can disrupt the balance between estrogen and androgens – a group of sex hormones that includes testosterone.
One study of 285 women found that using testosterone to treat androgen deficiency in women can improve hair growth.
How to prevent hair loss
The good news is that there are several options to treat the effects of DHT sensitivity.
Finasteride
Finasteride is a prescription medication that comes in tablet form. You take it once a day to help stop and reverse male pattern baldness.
When treating hair loss, finasteride works by preventing the enzyme that binds with testosterone to form DHT.
When DHT isn’t produced, thinning hair starts to regrow and further hair loss stops.
Minoxidil treats hair loss by dilating blood vessels, stimulating and improving blood flow to the scalp to invigorate shrinking hair follicles. It’s both safe and highly effective at reducing hair loss.
You can get both oral and topical minoxidil. The topical version usually comes in a liquid spray or foam that you apply morning and evening. It’s widely available over the counter.
The oral version is a tablet and requires a prescription. Most people start with topical minoxidil first and will typically only move on to oral if the topical form hasn’t delivered the results they were looking for.
It's important to note that oral minoxidil use to treat hair loss is an ‘off-label’ use of the medication. This means prescribers recommend it to treat a condition it isn’t officially licenced to treat, although off-label uses for medications are both legal and common.
Caffeine shampoos are used just like regular shampoos when you wash your hair in the shower or bath, butthese products contain active ingredients like proteins and caffeine.
These ingredients cleanse the scalp and remove impurities that cause follicle blockages. This helps strengthen the hair, promote blood flow to the scalp, and stimulate hair growth.
Hair growth supplements
Certain specialist supplements, like Nourkrin, contain vitamins and minerals that helpstrengthen the hair and the follicles.
Other hair growth supplements influence hormonal changes that prevent hair shedding and promote hair regrowth.
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes that can help promote healthy hair and reduce hair loss include:
reducing stress
staying well-hydrated
eating a balanced nutrient-rich diet
quitting smoking or vaping, as these narrow blood vessels and restrict blood flow
FAQs
Will I lose hair on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)?
It’s possible that TRT may cause increase hair loss, but only if you’re genetically predisposed to male pattern baldness. This is because TRT can increase your levels of DHT, causing your follicles to react.
What hormone are you lacking if your hair is falling out?
In women, hair loss commonly occurs due to a lack of either oestrogen, progesterone, or both. Levels of these hormones typically start to drop off during menopause.
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