Sex Hormones and Hair Loss in Men From the General Population of Northeastern Germany PMC

Table Of Content

• Low dose testosterone in gender affirming care for females
• Signs of High Testosterone in Men and Women
• These Anti-Aging Vitamins and Supplements Might Help Slow the Clock
• What causes high DHT levels in females?
• weight gain, perhaps related in part to increased appetite
• Can Testosterone Replacement Therapy Help You?

With too much DHT, a man can develop benign prostate hypertrophy, also known as an enlarged prostate. There’s “free” testosterone that isn’t bound to proteins in your body. This is the form of testosterone most available to act within the body. Medically reviewed on February 15, 2022 by Jordan Stachel, M.S., RDN, CPT.

Low dose testosterone in gender affirming care for females

Treating these issues will be more complicated than applying a weekly gel, so you might want to consult with a local endocrinologist if you’re on the high end of the testosterone spectrum. If you’ve had health issues involving your prostate, kidney, liver, or heart, be sure to bring that up with your doctor before starting testosterone. Given all that, you might expect abnormally high levels of testosterone to turn you into a super strong, super suave James Bond type. Unfortunately, too much testosterone can actually cause lots of health problems (like the liver disease we mentioned earlier).

Signs of High Testosterone in Men and Women

While there are treatments available for hair loss, it is essential to consult with a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan. These treatments may include medications that inhibit the conversion of testosterone into DHT, topical solutions to stimulate hair regrowth, or even hair transplantation. It works by stopping the sex hormone testosterone from turning into another hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can cause the prostate to grow, and hair to fall out. DHT levels interact with the levels of steroids in the blood, and increasing DHT can decrease other hormones, such as estrogen. The role of DHT in male sexual function is still somewhat controversial. Much of the data is indirect, coming from studies of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors rather than studies of DHT levels directly.

These Anti-Aging Vitamins and Supplements Might Help Slow the Clock

If your symptoms are indicative of high testosterone levels, your health care provider may take a blood sample to test your hormone levels. Normally, this test is done in the morning when testosterone levels are usually high. These tests may be vital if you have PCOS or if your menstruation has stopped due to excessive athletic training or anorexia nervosa.

What causes high DHT levels in females?

Still, the use of androgens in postmenopausal people is highly controversial. (Androgens are hormones that play a role in male traits and reproduction.) Views differ among sexual medicine experts and professional societies. Being gentle with your hair while it’s experiencing change is important so as not to exacerbate any thinning.

weight gain, perhaps related in part to increased appetite

That said, a number of studies have shown an increase in erectile dysfunction in males taking 5-alpha reductase inhibitors to decrease their DHT levels. These medications have also been shown to decrease libido and sex drive. As such, it is generally held that DHT plays an important role in male sexual desire and function. Let’s dive into the different factors at play and how testosterone really does affect male and female pattern baldness.

High Testosterone in Women: Signs, Causes, and Treatment

Could Baldness Predict Other Health Risks? - TMC News - Texas Medical Center News

Could Baldness Predict Other Health Risks? - TMC News.

Posted: Wed, 06 Jun 2018 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Plenty of hair loss treatments addressing DHT are available, and reducing hair loss may make you feel more confident about your appearance in your everyday life. But talk to a doctor first, as not all treatments may be safe or effective for you. It’s well known as a potentially beneficial treatment for an enlarged prostate and prostatitis due to its DHT-blocking ability. Because of this, it’s also thought to be a possible treatment for DHT-related hair loss, too. But there’s very little research to support pygeum bark’s use alone as a successful DHT blocker. High levels of DHT can increase your risk for certain conditions, but having too little DHT can also cause problems in your sexual development as you go through puberty.

Hair loss is often attributed to a combination of factors, including genetics, hormonal imbalances, and other underlying health conditions. DHT is formed when an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone into DHT. This process mainly occurs in hair follicles, especially those that are sensitive to DHT. These sensitive hair follicles shrink and become less active over time, leading to the thinning of the hair and eventual hair loss. Although reducing your stress levels might seem insurmountable, making sure you’re eating the right things will go a long way to setting a good foundation for optimum hair growth. A healthy balanced diet is also important in stress reduction too as it can support a healthy immune system, repair damaged cells and even reduce elevated cortisol levels.

Male Pattern Baldness

In her case, as with many other women, there was an underlying condition that required further examination. The AR gene is what makes the receptor on your hair follicles interact with the DHT and testosterone in your body. If you have sensitive receptors, your hair follicles can be triggered by a smaller amount of DHT, making hair loss occur more easily. While other factors like age, stress, and diet can contribute to hair loss, genetics do play a significant role. While DHT stimulates hair growth in the hair follicles, too much DHT is partly responsible for hair loss, in addition to other factors, such as genetics.

These medications work by reducing the production or blocking the effects of testosterone, ultimately promoting hormonal balance and maintaining healthy hair follicles. It is important to combine medical interventions with lifestyle changes for the best results. Consultation with a healthcare professional is key to finding the most suitable treatment plan. It affects both sexes and at least 50% of men by the age of 50 years. In general, hair grows from androgen-responsive follicles, and invaginations of the superficial epithelium in the skin also show age-dependent changes in androgens.

Unsurprisingly, one side effect involves creating too much hair from head to toe. DHT is a double-edged sword that can cause hair growth in the right amounts... And cause premature hair loss if it gets too high, making DHT blockers a useful tool. It primarily functions to build up physical characteristics during puberty, though it doesn’t stop working well into an individual’s 70’s. Short for ‘Dihydrotestosterone,’ this hormone is responsible for many men getting frustrated at their bathroom mirror.

Instead, the sensitivity of the hair follicles to DHT, which is genetically determined, will determine whether hair loss will occur more easily. Though incredibly common, hair loss conditions like androgenic alopecia can cause severe distress and decrease emotional well-being. Many patients believe that one of the significant causes of hair loss is low or exceptionally high testosterone levels.

The “free” testosterone that isn’t bound to proteins in your body is the one that is most available to act within it. Albumin, a protein in the blood, can also have testosterone bound to it. However, most testosterone in your body is bound to SHGB protein (sex hormone-binding globulin). While you might have a low level of SHGB, it is still possible to have a high level of the “free” testosterone in your bloodstream.

Hair loss occurs when new hair doesn't replace the hair that has fallen out. Hair loss can occur if you wear pigtails, braids or cornrows, or use tight hair rollers. This is why it’s critical to have your T levels tested frequently, and to work with your doctor to get your dose right. Testosterone.org follows the strictest sourcing guidelines in the health and hormone replacement industry. Our focus is to exclusively link to peer-reviewed studies found on respected websites, like PubMed. We focus on finding the most accurate information from the scientific source.

While it is true that testosterone plays a role in hair growth, the idea that excessive testosterone directly causes hair loss is a bit more complicated. Female pattern baldness affects women with PCOS or those above the age of years post menopause. It serves a number of purposes like the development of certain secondary sexual characteristics in men.