What Hormones Cause Hair Loss In Males
If you are a man, the stats for maintaining a full head of hair can look grim.
Approximately 35 million men in the United States will suffer some type of hair loss during their lifetime.
And roughly 25 percent of men with hereditary male pattern baldness begin losing their hair before their 21st birthday.
By the time they reach 35, around66 percent of all menwill have some degree of hair loss.
While genetics play a major role in hair loss, hormones are also a huge piece of the hair loss puzzle.
Ultimately,testosterone and thyroid levels are to blamefor hormonal imbalance hair loss in men.
Maintain A Healthy Weight
Excess weight can put stress on the body, and this can lead to hormonal imbalances.
To bring your hormones back into alignment, then, its important to maintain a healthy weight.
For the majority of individuals, this can be done through exercise and healthy eating. However, its best to consult with your physician prior to the start of a new diet or exercise regimen.
Causes Of Hair Loss In Women
Androgenetic alopecia, a type of hair loss commonly called male or female pattern baldness, was only partially understood until the last few decades. For many years, scientists thought that androgenetic alopecia was caused by the predominance of the male sex hormone, testosterone, which women also have in trace amounts under normal conditions. But while testosterone is at the core of the balding process, dihydrotestosterone is now thought to be the main culprit.
DHT, a derivative of the male hormone testosterone, is the enemy of hair follicles on your head. Simply put, under certain conditions DHT wants those follicles dead. This simple action is at the root of many kinds of hair loss.
Testosterone converts to DHT with the aid of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. Scientists now believe that it’s not the amount of circulating testosterone that’s the problem but the level of DHT binding to receptors in scalp follicles. DHT shrinks hair follicles, making it impossible for healthy hair to survive.
The hormonal process of testosterone converting to DHT, which then harms hair follicles, happens in both men and women. Under normal conditions, women have a minute fraction of the level of testosterone that men have, but even a lower level can cause DHT- triggered hair loss in women.
Hair loss can also be caused by an imbalance of thyroid hormones or pregnancy, disease, and certain medications, which can all influence hair’s growth and shedding phases.
Show Sources
Recommended Reading: Does Keranique Really Work For Hair Loss
How Common Is Female Hair Loss
Just like male hair loss, female hair loss becomes more common with age. Studies show that only 12% of women between the ages of 20 and 29 show some degree of hair loss, from loss around the hairline or temples to diffuse, overall thinning.
On the other hand, women aged 80 and up have a more than 60% chance of experiencing some degree of hormonal hair loss. Because hormonal hair loss is partly caused by a genetic sensitivity to DHT, your risk of hair loss could be higher if your mother, siblings or other female relatives have hair loss.
If youre concerned about hair loss, its important to take action quickly. Because hair loss is gradual and affected by DHT, acting quickly allows you to minimize hair loss and maintain as much of your hair as possible.
Donât Miss: Nugenix Estro Regulator Review
How Hormone Replacement Therapy Can Stop And Reverse Hair Loss
Hair thinning is one of the most natural things that happens to the body. In a regular day, you lose 50 to 100 older hairs that are constantly being replaced by new hair. There are about 100,000 hairs growing out of your scalp at any given time.
But as you age, hair that is lost does not always get replaced by new hair growth.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, nearly half of all male and female Americans will begin showing signs of baldness by age 40.
Recommended Reading: Why Do I Have Thinning Hair
Hormones That Cause Hair Loss
More than 50% of women experience hair loss at some point in their lives. And while it may be comforting knowing youre not alone, hair loss can still be devastating. The WORST part? It can be due to several reasons including GENETICS, DIET, STRESS, DEFICIENCIES, and HORMONES making it harder to diagnose and treat! Today, Im going to focus on the effect hormones have on your hair. The best way to determine if one of these hormones is the culprit is to speak with your doctor about doing a blood test.
Estrogen Dominance An Epidemic
I mentioned above that estrogen dominance can occur during menopause. However, it can at other times, too and, it can affect both men and women.
In recent decades, the use of estrogen-containing products has increased.
These products most famously include plastics and parabens , but even the estrogen found in birth control pills and other medications is making its way to water sources and contaminating drinking water.
But what does this have to do with progesterone?
As mentioned previously, hormones work to balance each other. When estrogen is continually consumed, however, it can become difficult for progesterone to keep up.
Symptoms of estrogen dominance are similar to symptoms of low progesterone but, they can also include:
- Water retention
In addition to the above symptoms, hair loss can also occur.
Don’t Miss: How To Regrow Postpartum Hair Loss
Checking Your Estrogen Levels
If youre worried that you may have low estrogen levels, its important to talk to your healthcare provider.
Getting your estrogen levels checked is a simple process. Your healthcare provider will take a blood sample or request that you provide a saliva or urine sample. This sample will be tested for estrone , estradiol and estriol in a lab.
If your estrogen levels are below the reference range, your healthcare provider may request an additional test to help determine the possible cause.
Lets Talk About Hormone Replacement Treatment For Menopause
At HerKare, our focus is to help women feel their best with personalized health care solutions. We understand the many ways menopause can impact your life, so we work with you to find treatments that are tailored to you. Our providers take the time to listen, then well work together to find ways to help you improve your physical, emotional, and sexual health. Were here to help you enjoy life, not just push through unwanted menopause symptoms. Schedule an appointment online today!
Recommended Reading: How To Stop Crown Hair Loss
Which Profile Best Describes Your Hair Loss
- Thyroid imbalance. Thyroid hormones help keep hair follicles in a healthy cycle of growing or resting. When the thyroid is imbalanced, more hair follicles stay in the resting phase as opposed to the active growing phase. This leads to more strands falling out and can also cause hair to become brittle, dry, and prematurely gray.
- Hormonal imbalance. Hair loss during menopause and perimenopause is common due to declining estrogen levels. As estrogen levels fall, the resulting imbalance between estrogen and testosterone can cause thinning hair on certain areas of the head that are sensitive to androgens, commonly referred to as male pattern baldness. The same imbalance can also contribute to unwanted hair growth on the chin and face.
- Nutritional deficiencies. Hair loss can also be a sign of certain nutritional deficiencies, including deficiencies of vitamins A and D, iron and protein. It should come as no surprise that one of the first recommendations we make to women concerned with accelerated hair loss is to check their diet and add a medical-grade multivitamin to fill any gaps.
- Stress. Elevated stress hormones can shock hair follicles into their resting phase, causing hair to fall out at the slightest tug. Many women experience unremitting stress that doesnt give the hair follicles the chance to switch back into their active growth phase, leading to thinning hair on the scalp.
What you can do today
Why it works
What Is The Connection Between Estrogen Levels And Hair Loss
Our hair grows in three different stages.
- The Anagen phase or the Growing stage which lasts for several years
- The Catagen phase or the Resting phase which lasts for a few weeks
- The Telogen phase or Shedding stage which lasts for a few months
There are some evidences that estrogen hormone actually slows the rate of growth extending from the growth phase so more hair is at this stage at any moment in time. This is the reason why womens hair is more abundant than mens hair.
It must be noted that estrogen hormone works in opposition to the testosterone hormone in the female body, and thus prevents the hair loss caused due to testosterone. Studies suggest that estrogen hormone not only protect against hair loss but also stimulates the growth of new hair.
The relationship between estrogen and hair loss can be particularly noticed during pregnancy, when the higher concentration give women hair that is thicker, healthier and more plentiful than usual. This must also be noted that the extra hair tends to fall out within several months of the childbirth.
You May Like: What Causes Hair Loss On Keto
Will Estrogen Help Hair Growth
During our reproductive years, estrogen exists in our bodies at much higher levels. Our estrogen levels taper off throughout perimenopause and into menopause, causing dry skin, shrunken follicles, and tresses that seem to stop growing no matter what we do.
Research has shown that estrogen can significantly impact skin physiology, including the sebaceous gland and hair follicle. Notably, aging effects can be delayed considerably by administering estrogen. This seems to indicate that estrogen helps hair growth. However, too much estrogen may hinder hair growth. Lets take a closer look.
Can Too Much Progesterone Cause Hair Loss
Disclaimer: HairLossGeeks is independent and reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Learn More. Consult with your doctor before making any changes to your daily routines or diet.
Page Contents
Can too much progesterone cause hair loss?
In the past, we have been bombarded with this question. Most people tend to believe that progesterone does cause hair loss however, the answer is not that simple.
In this post, we lets take a look at progesterone and determine if too much progesterone can cause hair loss.
To start, lets define hair loss so we can truly understand the matter at hand.
What is Hair Loss?
However, permanent hair loss takes place when the body is unable to replace the hair that is lost therefore, you hair beings to thin or bald completely. This is often referred to as androgenic alopecia.
Unusual hair loss can result from several causes including medication, stress , sleeping disorder and hormonal imbalance, menopause, or high level of estrogen.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Your Thin Hair Thicker
The Zrt Laboratory Blog
A symbol of femininity for so many women, our hair demands attention. Both deeply personal and superficially public, changes in the looks of our hair can inspire a range of emotions, driving us to willingly partake in its cutting, straightening, curling, bleaching, darkening, or other aggressive chemical treatments. Hair is part of who we are and how we present ourselves to the world. This is why thinning hair is kind of a big deal it can be a very frustrating topic for many women as there is no quick solution to getting more hair instantly.
Losing hair is utterly dreaded and distressing, and unfortunately something we all eventually come to face as we get older. As hair thins over the years and the shower drain clogs almost on a daily basis, the scalp becomes so vivid when hair is a dash too oily, and now the hair part has been moved over to a different spot, thereby concealing the thinned out patches next to the temples you find yourself on the internet in search of answers, bombarded with innumerable articles offering anywhere between 3 and 33+ helpful tips on how to get your luscious mane back. Some are obvious eat right and exercise to provide nutrients and stimulate blood flow, while others are less straightforward like sleeping on a silk pillowcase or wrapping your hair in a T-shirt. Whatever the suggestions may be, achieving strong and healthy hair extends way beyond keeping your locks away from heat and dyes.
Vitamin D The Sunshine Vitamin And So Much More
Vitamin D is an important nutrient that is essential to our immunity, bone health and many other processes. With regard to hair, it actually helps create new hair follicles by initiating the anagen phase. It does so by regulating the expression of genes that are required for hair follicle cycling. A number of symptoms, such as hair loss, can occur when the body lacks enough vitamin D. Its not surprising then when researchers found suboptimal serum vitamin D levels in women with telogen effluvium or female pattern hair loss . Moreover, patients with alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition which gives rise to hair loss, also have low serum vitamin D levels . Emerging clinical research is putting forward recommendations to evaluate serum vitamin D levels in patients with hair loss .
Most people can get the bulk of their vitamin D through sunlight exposure or through diet. Some foods are naturally rich in this nutrient, such as fatty fish , mushrooms, or foods fortified with vitamin D . Vegan or vegetarian diets tend to provide less vitamin D, so supplements may be needed. Additionally, finding a balance between protecting skin from sun exposure and absorbing the vitamin may be essential to achieving optimal vitamin D levels.
Don’t Miss: What To Do If You Think Your Hair Is Thinning
How Can High Levels Of Estrogen Affect Your Hair
The hormones in your body are regulated by multiple organs and glands including the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands, and gonads . This complicated system of hormone secretion and feedback that runs your metabolism and growth is part of our endocrine system. This system produces hormones and ensures that our body has the proper balance of these hormones. If our hormone production or regulation becomes dysfunctional, it leads to issues within our body that can effect everything from our skin and hair to our brain, muscles, and bones.
Testosterone and estrogen are both hormones that are regulated by the pituitary gland which sends signals that tell our gonads to maintain certain levels of these hormones that are needed to maintain a proper ratio within our body to ensure that other problems dont arise.
For example, too much estrogen production in your body can lead to weight gain, fatigue, and depression. While too much testosterone in the body can lead to things like headaches, heart problems, aggression, acne and hair loss. Some of these can be life threatening while others are minor inconveniences. As we age, its very important to have an annual physical which often includes labs to ensure that everything is functioning as it should.