Approximately 35 million men and 21 million women suffer from hair loss. Although there are many possible contributing factors, DHT often plays a role.
What Is DHT?
DHT stands for dihydrotestosterone, a sex hormone that contributes to male sex characteristics. However, it can also cause you to lose your hair earlier and faster than the average population. Studies have shown that men living with androgenic alopecia, the most common type of hair loss among men, have elevated levels of dihydrotestosterone in comparison to control subjects.
There is also a genetic component, which is why DHT affects people differently.
While it appears as though DHT causes negative effects, particularly in relation to hair loss, it offers several benefits as you age, including a man’s ability to maintain muscle mass and sexual function.
This Sex Hormone Impacts Males and Females
Although many often refer to male pattern baldness when discussing the effects of DHT, since it is derived from testosterone, this hormone is present in both males and females.
Males typically have more testosterone in their bodies compared to females, and approximately 10 percent is converted into DHT. Once in the bloodstream, it can impact hair follicles, causing them to shrink while shortening your hair’s natural growth cycle.
In turn, this reduces hair health and hair loss can result. Since hormones operate at an optimal level when in balance, if female hormones significantly drop, DHT can cause problems, including hair loss.
It’s important to note that there are many possible variables among females concerning hair loss, including an imbalance of thyroid hormones, disease, the use of certain medications, and pregnancy.
Can I Reduce DHT Levels?
If you’re concerned about potentially high DHT levels, speak to your doctor about available medications that target DHT production, as well as DHT’s ability to bind to receptors (i.e. inhibitors and blockers).
Pumpkin seed oil may help improve symptoms of male pattern baldness, as reported in one key study. After taking 400 milligrams of pumpkin seed oil daily for 24 weeks, they experienced a 40 increase in their average scalp hair count.
A deficiency in vitamins B6 and B12 may also play a role. Prevention is key, so if you’re showing signs of thinning hair, speak with a hair restoration studio as soon as possible. To schedule a free consultation at Custom Hair Tampa Bay click here.
Photo Credit: kalhh Via Pixabay
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6223099/
https://www.healthline.com/health/dht#purpose-and-function
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/hair-loss-causes-women
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4017725/