Does DHT Really Cause Hair Loss? Causes, Symptoms & Effective Treatments
Hair loss is a common concern that affects both men and women. It can make you feel like you’re losing a part of yourself, significantly impacting your confidence and self-esteem. For some people, hair loss can also occur due to an increase in DHT (dihydrotestosterone) levels. DHT is a male sex hormone that is the primary cause of male pattern baldness. In this blog, let’s take a closer look at what DHT is, how it causes hair loss, and treatment for hair loss caused by DHT.
What is DHT?
DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is an androgen hormone that stimulates the development of male characteristics. It is derived from testosterone and plays a major role during puberty. It regulates male characteristics like deep voice, increased body hair, growth of the penis, scrotum, and testicles as sperm production begins. After puberty, DHT continues to influence things like hair thinning, fat distribution, and even our mood. About 10% of testosterone is produced by an adult each day and is converted into DHT.
How DHT is Produced?
DHT is created when an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone into DHT. This process happens in the testes and prostates in men and in the ovaries and as well as skin and other body parts like the liver in women. DHT is more potent than testosterone and binds more strongly to androgen receptors in cells. It has a stronger effect on the body and helps with forming male reproductive organs before birth, growing the prostate gland, and developing male traits during puberty. The amount of DHT in the body relates to the amount of testosterone present for the body to convert. When the testosterone levels increase, so do the DHT levels. While less is known about DHT in females, it also likely plays a role in the development of body and pubic hair growth.
Does DHT Cause Hair Loss?
The short answer is yes, high levels of DHT can be a significant factor when it comes to hair loss. Our hair growth occurs in a cycle of four phases. At any given time, each of our hair follicles is in a different phase of this cycle:
- Anagen phase: The growing phase of hair, which lasts up to two to seven years.
- Catagen phase: A short, two-week phase that occurs when the hair follicle begins to shrink
- Telogen phase: A three-month resting phase.
- Exogen phase: Occurs when the follicle sheds the hair and begins new growth.
Elevated levels of DHT can impact this cycle, especially the anagen phase. When there is an excess of DHT, it binds to the receptors in the scalp and causes the hair follicle to shrink around the hairline and crown, leading to hair loss in men who are genetically sensitive to DHT. This shrinking of the hair follicles means that the anagen phase becomes shorter, and hair has less time to grow before it falls out. As this cycle continues, the hairs that do not grow become finer and weaker. Over time, the affected hair follicles can stop producing hair altogether, leading to thinning and eventually baldness.
DHT Hair Loss: Who is Affected?
While DHT is often associated with men, it can also play a role in female pattern hair loss. Similar to men, women can also be genetically predisposed to hair loss. Menopause can also cause high DHT levels. It is found that around 40% of women over the age of 70 experience hair loss. During this transition, estrogen levels tend to drop, amplifying the impact of DHT on hair follicles. This can lead to hair thinning on the scalp. PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome) is a hormonal disorder that many women deal with during their reproductive years. One of its symptoms can be an increase in male hormones, including DHT, which can contribute to hair thinning or loss in women.
Symptoms of DHT Hormone Hair Loss
While there is a wide range of factors that can lead to hair loss, a few symptoms point towards DHT hair loss. Symptoms of DHT hair loss in men include:
- Receding hairline
- Thinning crown
- Fine and short hair
- Increased hair shedding
- Itchy or oily scalp
Symptoms of DHT hair loss in women include:
- Diffuse thinning
- Widening part
- Reduced hair volume
- Increased shedding
DHT Hair Loss Treatment
Navigating the world of hair loss can be overwhelming, especially with so many remedies and solutions floating around. When it comes to DHT-related hair loss, here are a few proven strategies you may consider:
- Medications: Your doctor may prescribe you DHT blocker medicines such as Finasteride, Dutasteride, and Minoxidil. These medicines prevent DHT from binding to 5-AR receptors, including those in our hair follicles, which can allow DHT to shrink follicles.
- Natural DHT blockers: Besides medicinal DHT blockers, you can also take natural blockers such as Pygeum herb, which is extracted from the bark of the African cherry tree. It is well known for its DHT-blocking ability, due to which it can be used as a possible treatment for DHT-related hair loss. Pumpkin seed oil is another DHT blocker that is known to reverse the effects of testosterone and promote hair growth after 3 weeks.
- Supplements for hair health: Certain supplements may help with hair growth, especially if you have nutrient deficiencies. Biotin, zinc, and iron supplements can support hair health when levels are low.
- Maintain a balanced diet: Maintaining a balanced diet with adequate protein and micronutrients is important for hair growth. Include a variety of nutrient-rich foods in your diet, such as fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Hair health requires nutrients such as vitamins A, C, D, and E, biotin, and iron. Consult a healthcare professional or a nutritionist for personalized dietary advice.
- PRP Therapy: PRP treatment is one of the most effective treatments for hair loss. It is a safe and highly effective way to promote natural growth by increasing blood flow in the hair, which results in the thickness of the hair shaft.
Conclusion
Hair loss is a common concern that affects both men and women. It can make you feel like you’re losing a part of yourself, significantly impacting your confidence and self-esteem. With the right hair loss treatment in Pune, you can restore your hair to become healthy and shiny like before and regain your confidence. At Homeocare Clinic, we are dedicated to providing our patients with the best quality and personalized treatment plans tailored to fulfil their specific requirements. Our experienced team of dermatologists offers safe, natural, and highly effective solutions to promote the regrowth of our patients’ hair. Contact us now for the best hair treatment in Pune.
