It’s common for men to worry about going bald, especially a lot younger than they had hoped. Male pattern baldness affects a whopping 50 million men in the US alone, so it comes as no surprise that links are made between losing your locks and your testosterone levels. The shrinkage of hair follicles results in hair loss, impacting the growth cycle. As new hairs become finer and finer (hair thinning) until eventually there’s no hair left and the follicles become inactive. This hair loss is caused by certain genes and hormones, but is testosterone to blame?
When it comes to male pattern baldness (MPB) there is a distinctive shape that makes it so recognisable. As the front hairline recedes - often more noticeably at the sides - this forms an M shape. Due to its obvious starting point, this M shape is usually referred to as frontal baldness. Gradually, as the hairline continues to recede, the vertex (or crown) of the head becomes bald, too. This is when men enter comb-over territory! Eventually, the two combined form a U shape. While many see MPB as simply something that affects head hair only, it can actually extend further as you age. So a once hair chest can actually start to thin as you get older. Although we all respond differently to hormone changes, some men have actually found that facial hair growth has enhanced while other areas start to lose their growth.
Related article:Are you ready to kick low testosterones butt this year?Your testosterone levels are an important part of being a man. It can aid your libido, mood, focus and ability to build muscle. But we totally understand you might have concerns! So before you go blaming testosterone for causing hair loss, we’ve taken a closer look into whether testosterone and baldness really do go hand-in-hand.
Different types of testosterone
Believe it or not, testosterone actually lives in your body in different forms. But what does that really mean? Well, firstly, there’s “free” testosterone. This form is unattached, which means it isn’t bound to your body’s proteins. This form of T is the most available and ready to act within the body. However, most of the testosterone in your blood attaches to two different proteins: sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin. Most of your T is bound to SHBG and isn’t active. So if you have a low level of SHBG, the chances are, you may have a high level of free testosterone. This free form of testosterone is also often referred to as bioavailable testosterone. As the name suggests, this is the form that is easily accessed (and used) by your body. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an androgen, made from testosterone by an enzyme. This sex hormone contributes towards male characteristics, such as body hair. Predominantly used by the body in hair follicles, skin and the prostate, DHT is five times more potent than testosterone.Baldness and shape
When it comes to male pattern baldness (MPB) there is a distinctive shape that makes it so recognisable. As the front hairline recedes - often more noticeably at the sides - this forms an M shape. Due to its obvious starting point, this M shape is usually referred to as frontal baldness. Gradually, as the hairline continues to recede, the vertex (or crown) of the head becomes bald, too. This is when men enter comb-over territory! Eventually, the two combined form a U shape. While many see MPB as simply something that affects head hair only, it can actually extend further as you age. So a once hair chest can actually start to thin as you get older. Although we all respond differently to hormone changes, some men have actually found that facial hair growth has enhanced while other areas start to lose their growth.
What hormone causes hair loss?: DHT
Made from testosterone by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the hormone that causes hair loss. This hormone is found in hair follicles, your skin and the prostate. So, how does this hormone cause hair loss? Well, it’s actually to do with the sensitivity of hair follicles to DHT.Also Read:The Ultimate Guide To Dihydrotestosterone And DHT BlockersHowever, there is more to DHT than your hair, as it also acts in the prostate. DHT plays an important role, as, without it, the prostate wouldn’t develop properly. There is such a thing as too much DHT, too. If you have a little too much, you can develop benign prostate hypertrophy - aka, an enlarged prostate. Ouch.
