Does Testosterone Cause Hair Loss?
Hair loss is a prevalent concern, especially among men. With the increase in the prescription of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the question many patients are asking is whether HRT can cause or play a role in hair loss. According to doctors, it can but does not in all cases.
Here’s how it works: HRT increases the circulating levels of testosterone in the body. That testosterone may then be converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. DHT is a powerful androgen that effects tissues such as the scalp and hair follicles. High levels of DHT can shrink hair follicles, shorten the hair growth cycle, and lead to thinner, shorter, less pigmented hair.
Importantly, not everyone who undergoes HRT will experience significant hair loss. Patients should consult their healthcare providers about the risk of hair loss and balance that against the benefits of HRT. Patients with a genetic predisposition to androgenetic alopecia are more susceptible to the possibility of HRT causing some hair loss, but even then, there are medications that help limit or even prevent it.
Understanding DHT: The Culprit Behind Hair Loss
According to the American Hair Loss Association, approximately 95% of hair loss cases in men are attributed to androgenetic alopecia, with DHT playing a significant role in the miniaturization of hair follicles. DHT binds to androgen receptors in the scalp, leading to the progressive shrinking of hair follicles and the production of shorter, finer hairs.
Genetics also plays a crucial role. Studies have shown that individuals with a family history of androgenetic alopecia are more likely to experience hair loss themselves, regardless of their testosterone levels.
Hair Growth Formulations
Carie Boyd Pharmaceuticals is trusted by hundreds of healthcare providers nationwide to provide their patients with compounded medications to help prevent hair loss. Our hair regrowth formulas are specially formulated to address different types of hair loss, whether it be male pattern baldness, female pattern hair loss, or other conditions.
At Carie Boyd Pharmaceuticals, we are dedicated to the wellbeing of the patients we serve and understand that whether you are a man or a woman, unwanted hair loss can be devastating.
