As you age, testosterone becomes a very scarce commodity. This leads to a reduction in bone density, wrinkly skin, and slow wound healing. One of the most common problems seen in men is hair loss. According to Healthline, in America alone, about 35 million men are enduring some level of hair loss. But is it really linked to testosterone? Read on to find out more.

Hairloss in Men

Hair loss that is linked to testosterone is known as androgenic alopecia. It’s also commonly known as pattern baldness or MPB in short. This is the most common hair loss experienced by adult males and presented to a male hair loss specialist. The onset of MPB is mostly noticed starting from the twenties. In some instances, it can take several years for the progress to be noticeable. This problem usually starts with thinning of hair and receding of the front hairline. It is caused by a variety of factors, of which testosterone plays a role.

DHT and Hair Loss

Dihydrotestosterone, also known as DHT short, is a hormone made from testosterone. The conversion is facilitated by an enzyme known as 5-alpha reductase. DHT can also be converted from DHEA. This is a hormone that is more abundant in women. DHT can be found in the skin, prostate, and hair follicles. Its actions and how it interacts with hair follicles are what is thought to cause hair loss. The hormone also has some significant action in the prostate. Without DHT, there will be abnormal development of the prostate. If the hormone is too high, men can end up with benign prostate hypertrophy.

Genetic Factors and Testosterone

Baldness is not caused by the amount of testosterone present or the levels of DHT. It only occurs if your hair follicles are sensitive to these hormones. Sensitivity to DHT or testosterone is determined by your genetic makeup. Some men have an active AR gene that makes their hair follicle receptors sensitive to testosterone and DHT. If you have receptors that are highly sensitive, they can be triggered by even the smallest DHT amounts. This causes hair loss. There are other factors apart from your genetic makeup that can contribute to hair loss. This includes stress, age, and diet. However, genes play a more significant role. You will find that men who have close relatives who experience hair loss have a higher risk of developing the same problem.

Testosterone does play a role in hair loss. However, it only causes issues in men whose genetic makeup is already linked to baldness. Do you have more questions about male pattern baldness or how testosterone can cause hair loss? Get in touch with our male hair loss specialist today and we will answer your questions.