Hormonal Hair Loss in Men: Causes, Signs, Hormones Involved

Hormonal hair loss in men is commonly caused by increased sensitivity to androgens such as dihydrotestosterone (DHT derived from testosterone by the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme), as well as oestrogen, thyroid, and cortisol (stress hormone). These imbalances disrupt the natural hair growth cycle and result in a receding hairline, temporal thinning, and an increase in hair fall or thinning at the crown. 

Hormonal hair loss in males, like androgenetic alopecia or pattern baldness, can be genetic in some people. While genetics may be a common factor for hair loss, other factors like imbalances in thyroid hormones and stress can often trigger hair fall.

This blog will help you understand the types of male hormonal hair loss, its causes, treatments and lifestyle habits that work to manage it well.

What is Hormonal Imbalance Hair Loss in Males?

Hormonal imbalance hair loss in males is also known as androgenic alopecia, which occurs when the hair follicles become sensitive to DHT. The hormonal imbalance affects your hair growth cycle and triggers hair fall. The sensitivity can be due to increased androgens like DHT or an imbalance in oestrogen to androgen ratio levels that may lead to hair thinning.

The hormonal imbalance hair loss can affect hair health by reducing the natural hair growth cycle, which may lead to an increase in hair fall and slower hair growth. Over time, the results may get more noticeable with a thinning hair on the crown, a receding hairline, or a reduction in hair volume.

While androgenetic alopecia remains the most prevalent form, men can experience several distinct variations of endocrine-driven hair shedding. Understanding these specific classifications is essential for targeting the root cause:

• Androgenetic Alopecia (DHT-Driven): The hair becomes sensitive to DHT or an increase in DHT due to high testosterone levels.
• Cortisol-Induced Hair Loss (Stress-Driven): The hair growth cycle is affected when cortisol levels are elevated by chronic stress.
• Thyroid-Induced Hair Loss: An imbalance in the thyroid hormone can affect metabolism, which affects the body’s ability to absorb nutrients and results in hair fall.
• Hyperprolactinemia-Induced Thinning: This is when the testosterone levels are reduced. An overload of prolactin hormone shortens the hair growth cycle and also accelerates thinning.
• Low-Testosterone (Hypogonadism) Thinning: The lower androgen levels reduce overall follicular health, which causes hair thinning as the body’s androgen receptors' activity decreases.

Hormonal Imbalance Hair Loss in males occurs when there are fluctuations in hormones, deficiencies, or overproduction of certain hormones that disrupt the natural hair growth cycle and weaken the structure of the hair follicles.

Symptoms of Hormonal Hair Loss in Men

For men who experience hair loss due to a hormonal imbalance, it is difficult to tell what type of hormonal imbalance they are experiencing. The symptoms help in understanding what stage of hair fall one is in. Here are a few symptoms that one should look for that help in identifying whether they have hormonal hair loss.

• Receding Hairline: The hairline moves behind the forehead and temples, usually in an M or U-shaped hairline.
• Thinning Crown: The hair density decreases at the top of the head, and some may experience a circular bald spot.
• Follicles Shrinking: This is when the hair gets shorter, thinner and even lighter than the natural hair colour before it stops growing completely.
• Gradual Shedding: A sudden increase in hair shedding that happens slowly over years or decades sometimes. If these signs are spotted early, a dermatologist may be able to suggest the right treatment with diagnosis and also help in the regrowth of hair in some cases.
• Horseshoe effect (advanced male pattern baldness): Few people may experience this advanced stage of hair loss, where only a small patch of hair remains on the side and back of the head.

These are some of the most common symptoms of hormonal imbalance-related hair loss, which differs from person to person. Some less common symptoms of hormonal imbalance-related hair loss in men are:

• Enlargement of breast tissue (gynecomastia) or increased breast tenderness
• Hot flashes
• Decreased bone density
• Patchy hair loss in eyebrows or beard
• Unexpected weight gain or loss
• Loss of muscle mass
• Decreased libido or erectile dysfunction
• Extreme fatigue, difficulty concentrating or insomnia

Most people experience one or more symptoms from these, and they vary for everyone. If you see any unusual pattern in hair loss and are unaware of the cause, you should always consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and correct treatment that works for you.

Causes of Hormonal Hair Loss in Men 

The causes of hormonal hair loss in men are mainly triggered by hormonal imbalance or sensitivity to DHT. However, there are many reasons why there’s hormonal hair thinning in men. Some of the most common causes that may affect hair health by slowing hair growth and increasing hair fall are: 

These hormonal imbalances often cause hair follicles to shrink and fall out completely. 

Hormonal Imbalance Hair Loss Male Treatment

Hormonal imbalance hair loss is an internal issue that requires targeted treatment and not a general fix. When hair fall rises rapidly, and the underlying cause is not known, it is better to visit a dermatologist to treat it. 

Doctors examine the scalp health, hair fall severity, assess medical history, report on lifestyle and report on blood test or any other test that's necessary for diagnosis. Every person has a different cause and trigger, so the treatment varies for everyone. You need to get treatment from a dermatologist that works particularly for your condition.

Here are some of the most advanced treatments that doctors often recommend:

1. PRP(Platelet-Rich Plasma) Therapy

This is an advanced treatment done by dermatologists that uses a patient's blood to accelerate hair growth by stimulating the hair follicles. The concentrated platelet-rich blood is injected into the scalp, where hair shedding occurs. It takes several weeks or months to see noticeable results, and takes multiple sittings or sessions based on the hair conditions.

2. LLLT (Low-Level Laser/Light Therapy)

This is a low-level photon-emitting method that stimulates the hair follicles at a cellular level, boosts ATP production, and reduces oxidative stress. This works on increasing the blood circulation to reverse hair thinning, activate dormant hair follicles, and promote denser hair.

LLLT works on cellular metabolism by using red light wavelengths, which are absorbed by the hair follicles. This treatment can be done through medical-grade laser panels, helmets or caps at a dermatology or trichology clinic. It takes a few months and multiple sessions as required.

3. Hair Transplant

This is a surgical method that works by extracting healthy follicles from a donor area that are naturally DHT-resistant and placing them in places where thinning or balding occurs. The hair follicles for extraction are used either from the sides or the back of the scalp.

Remedies for Hormonal Hair Loss in Men

Hormonal hair loss in men, or androgenetic alopecia, is when the body reacts to DHT, and the hair follicles begin to shrink. It is not recommended to do self-diagnosis or try any home remedies, as that won’t be sufficient to get the desired results and not address the root cause.

One should always get consultation with a doctor and use clinically proven medications with proper diagnosis, rather than trying something from the internet on one’s own. Doctors often prescribe oral tablets to directly address hormonal root causes. Apart from that, they recommend a topical solution like minoxidil based on the severity of your hair fall.

You can also consult doctors and nutritionists to balance your hormones and take sustainable measures to manage your lifestyle and reduce the impact of hormonal imbalance on your hair for long-term relief from hair fall.

Prevention of Hormonal Hair Loss in Men

It is common to wonder whether hormonal hair loss in men can be prevented. As this is caused due to genetics and androgen hormones like DHT, it is not something that can be easily prevented for everyone. Some people are prone to develop male pattern baldness, which is why early intervention, diagnosis of symptoms and the right treatment from a doctor helps in preventing it from worsening the condition, retaining the hair, slowing the progression of hair thinning and stimulating new hair growth too.

Everyone may benefit from the preventions, but some lifestyle adjustments like stress management, inculcating a nutrient-rich diet and supplements to tackle deficiency often help in managing internal health and may reduce the risk of developing hormonal hair loss in men. 

Traya’s Perspective on Hormonal Hair Loss in Men

Hormonal hair loss in men is triggered by external factors, but the effects are largely determined by the sensitivity to hormones, genetics, and even metabolism. Traya believes in working on the follicular level to address the sensitivity, address the triggers by working on gut health, nutrition and scalp health. 

Traya works on finding a comprehensive solution that is sustainable to target the root cause and not fix or treat the symptoms. Managing lifestyle, nutritional habits and maintaining a balance with a doctor’s supervision often helps in maintaining hair health.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to stop hormonal hair loss in males?

Addressing the hormonal imbalance with prescribed oral medications and applying topical solutions are often helpful in treating hormonal hair loss. In severe cases, clinical treatments are required along with medications to get better and noticeable results.

2. What male hormones cause hair loss?

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the potent derivative of testosterone that causes hormonal hair loss like male pattern baldness, which shrinks and destroys the hair follicles. It also results in shorter hair growth cycles, hairline thinning and M-shaped baldness in many men.

3. How do you know if your hair loss is hormonal?

Analysing the physical symptoms can help to determine whether your hair loss is hormonal. Signs like hair thinning, receding hairline, and gradual shedding often indicate hormonal imbalance-related hair loss.

4. Can hair loss due to a hormonal imbalance be reversed?

Hormonal imbalance hair loss in males may be reversible in some cases, but it depends on whether the treatment addresses the root cause early. Working on managing and stabilising hormone levels often makes this issue reversible. If the condition doesn’t get resolved with medications in a few months, you should consult your doctor for treatment.

5. Can you cure hormonal hair loss in men?

In genetic male pattern baldness, there is no permanent cure; however, it is possible to stop, delay or partially reverse the hormonal hair loss with effective measures like the right medications, treatments and lifestyle changes.

References:

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9788837/
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20372926

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