Can Testosterone Boosters Cause Hair Loss?

OK, so you’re suffering from low testosterone but you’re worried that if you take a testosterone booster you’re going to end up going bald?

It’s a common worry but fortunately, one that’s based on a misunderstanding about the relationship between testosterone and hair loss.

We took a deep dive into the science to explain why you can take a testosterone booster, feel better, gain muscle and not end up losing hair over it (or, to be precise, not lose any more hair than you were going to already).

Does Testosterone Cause Hair Loss?

There are plenty of bald guys out there with low testosterone symptoms, so it’s fair to say that there’s no direct relationship between all forms of baldness and testosterone.

However, there is a form of baldness called “androgenic alopecia” (or more commonly “male pattern baldness”) which is associated with high levels of testosterone, but is this an accurate depiction of how the body works? 

Well, to determine that – firstly, we need to look at the different types of testosterone in the body.

The Two Types Of Testosterone

Men have two types of testosterone floating around in their bodies:

1. Free Testosterone
   This is the form of testosterone that we all love. It improves mental focus, helps us build up bone and muscle density and even stimulates hair growth. Yes, stimulates hair growth. When you’re a teenager and your body first starts to produce testosterone, you tend to sprout a bunch of hair all over your body. That’s free testosterone at work.
   
2. DHT (Dihydrotestosterone)
   DHT is another form of testosterone and it appears to have stronger reactions in our bodies. It tends to have specific effects on the skin, the prostate and yes, you’ve guessed  it, hair follicles. Thus, DHT has become associated with male pattern baldness.

Now, it’s important to note that the science is clear. Not every man will produce more DHT when they produce more testosterone. In fact, many will only produce free testosterone.

The other thing that it’s important to know is that DHT is actually associated with hair growth all over the body, except for your head.

DHT And Hair Loss

Male pattern baldness gets its name because it’s associated with a very specific way of going bald.

You don’t just lose some hair follicles, but it begins with a receding hairline that begins at the top of the forehead.

Over time the hair will take on an “M” shape, until such a time as the crown loses all hair and goes completely bald. 

What Other Potential Causes Are There Of Balding In Men?

The thing is there are many other types of baldness in men and they are not caused by DHT.

They’re caused by one or more of the following factors:

1. Testosterone replacement therapy. This isn’t the same thing as using a testosterone booster, it’s when you are given prescription drugs to improve your testosterone levels. This therapy can lead to something known as “treatment shock” and that can cause hair loss.
   
2. Your genetics. Yup, if your dad is bald, your male grandparents are bald and their male parents were bald too, the odds are pretty good that you’re going to go bald. We’d note that this is specific to male baldness, the link between genetics and female baldness isn’t fully established.
   
3. Stress. When you are stressed, your body produces a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol has been linked to baldness and hair loss. Taking a testosterone booster and working out can make you less stressed and thus, might prevent this form of hair loss.
   
4. Age. The brutal truth is that as men get older, they lose hair, most men in their 60s have thinning hair and by the time they hit their 90s, very few have a full head of lustrous locks. Currently, there is no known treatment for ageing.

Will Testosterone Boosters Cause Hair Loss?

At this moment, the answer appears to be no.

Testosterone boosters, such as those on our list of the best testosterone boosters, are likely to help the body produce free testosterone which is not associated with hair loss.

There is nothing in any of the ingredients used in these boosters that could cause hair loss. 

And using them and working out reduces stress, which could prevent hair loss. 

You could even start slowly with some natural methods to boost your testosterone before taking boosters. 

Three Hot Tips On Reducing Hair Loss

If you’re concerned about hair loss we’ve got three things to help you avoid hair loss in general:

1. Take cold showers. Hot water opens up hair follicles and might cause loose hairs to fall out.
   
2. Use medicated shampoo. This might be prescribed by a doctor or be bought over the counter.
   
3. Get a head massage. This encourages blood flow in the scalp and can help improve the health of your hair follicles.

You might also consider getting tested for excess DHT if you have signs of male pattern baldness, a doctor will be able to walk you through some options for dealing with this.

What About Hair Loss In Women? 

Women may also suffer from DHT-driven hair loss and it’s best to talk to a doctor about this if it appears.

However, this kind of hair loss in women begins on the scalp, not the hairline.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it, testosterone boosters are not likely to cause hair loss and, in fact, might prevent stress-related hair loss.

However, there are other forms of hair loss that are, currently, unavoidable and sadly, testosterone boosters won’t have much impact on those either way.