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About 10 percent of testosterone in all adults is converted to DHT with the help of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase (5-AR). Sun exposure and common hair styling practices such as dyes, heat, and chemicalstraighteners can weaken the hair shaft, also playing a role in hair thinning. Discover some of the causes of hair loss and why you might be experiencing thinning hair from our Commercial Education Manager, Sophie Ruggiero. Continue reading to learn about all you need to know about DHT-induced hair loss, including why it happens and treatment options, to stop your beautiful locks from shedding any more. As your body converts testosterone to DHT, if you have low levels of testosterone, you’ll have lower-than-normal levels of DHT as well.
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If a person has excessively high levels of DHT resulting in hair loss, medications are available to manage DHT-related hair loss. Typically, these medications work by blocking DHT from binding to androgen receptors or inhibiting the body’s production of DHT. Read on to learn more about male pattern hair loss and female pattern hair loss. The shorter cycle occurs due to the repeated activation of the androgen receptor on the hair follicle, which leads to miniaturization.
DHT vs. testosterone
If Curology is right for you, we’ll pair you with a licensed dermatology provider who can answer your questions and create your personalized Hair Formulaᴿˣ to help you meet your hair goals. Surgical procedures to treat baldness are not usually covered by insurance. Adding zinc-rich foods such as oysters to your daily diet should be the first step to get your required dose of this mineral.
The Hair Growth Cycle
But this does not mean that women are immune to it, only less prone to it. The thing about DHT is that it is continually being produced by your body. An enzyme known as 5α-reductase breaks down the testosterone in your system – in a normal and healthy process of which DHT is the byproduct. While this is perfectly natural, the trouble is that this process can happen right inside your hair follicles, those little ‘capsules’ that each create a single hair. Given the limited number of studies on specific foods and nutrients for lowering DHT levels, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider regarding potential hair loss treatments. Once it’s freely flowing through your bloodstream, DHT can then link to receptors on hair follicles in your scalp, causing them to shrink and become less capable of supporting a healthy head of hair.
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. DHT directs the development of the external genitalia, including the penis and scrotum, and the prostate gland. During puberty, DHT plays an important role in the growth of facial and body hair, increased muscle mass, and deepening of the voice. High levels of androgens, including DHT, can shrink your hair follicles as well as shorten this cycle, causing hair to grow out looking thinner and more brittle, as well as fall out faster.
What Are DHT Blockers and How Do They Prevent Hair Loss?
As such, clinical studies in humans are needed before coconut oil can be recommended for preventing or treating hair loss. When applied to the scalps of three men for 4 days, an alcohol extract of EGCG stimulated hair growth by preventing the death of cells that regulate the growth and development of hair caused by DHT. Your body naturally converts about 5% of testosterone into DHT using an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a hormone similar to testosterone that’s thought to contribute to hair loss in both men and women.
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Some people are more susceptible to these effects of DHT on scalp hair based on variations in their androgen receptor (AR) gene. Androgen receptors are proteins that allow hormones like testosterone and DHT to bind to them. This binding activity typically results in normal hormonal processes like body hair growth.
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However, scientists know DHT can cause hair follicles to miniaturize and change the growth phases the hair is in. Androgenic alopecia is often called male-pattern baldness because it affects men much more than women. This increased prevalence among males can be explained by the simple fact that men have much higher levels of androgens (DHT) than women.
DHT (Dihydrotestosterone): Its Role in Hair Loss & How to Reduce It
The role of DHT in these conditions remains controversial, and ongoing research is being done to figure out if DHT blockers and inhibitors may work as therapy options. What does seem clear is that DHT stimulates the growth of prostate cells, which is normal during puberty but can become problematic in older men. According to research studies, it’s responsible for more than 95 percent of cases of hair loss in men (also called androgenetic alopecia). If you experience hair loss, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to review your medical history and identify any potential reasons for your hair loss to determine the proper treatment. Pumpkin seed oil may block the 5-alpha reductase enzyme from producing DHT in humans and thus combat hair loss, but more research is necessary. By blocking this enzyme, many foods are thought to decrease DHT production from testosterone and prevent hair loss.
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Posted: Tue, 26 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
This stimulates the gland to release luteinizing hormone into the bloodstream. Hair loss affects around half of all males over the age of 50 years, and around 50 million males in the United States (U.S.). Hair loss also impacts roughly 30 million females in the U.S. and is more likely to occur after menopause. It has been linked to mood disorders and sexual dysfunction previously, but now the MHRA has intervened after “a comprehensive review of the safety” of the drug.
Women can also experience this type of hair loss, but it’s much less common. About 30 million women in the United States have this type of hair loss compared to 50 million men. Male pattern balding, also called androgenic alopecia, is one of the most common reasons that men lose hair as they get older.
