Does DHEA Cause Hair Loss & Is It Reversible?

Dealing with hair loss and suspect DHEA might be the cause?

DHEA, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, is essential for various body functions, including hair growth.

However, imbalances in DHEA levels can sometimes trigger hair loss.

In this article, we’ll explore the link between DHEA and hair loss, covering causes, symptoms, and solutions to help you restore healthy hair.

Watch this video of Dr Dray on hormones and hair regrowth!

What is DHEA?

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, identified over 50 years ago, though its role in health remains unclear. DHEA levels naturally decline with age and vary with certain diseases. It’s involved in regulating stress, immunity, insulin sensitivity, and heart health.

Athletes often use DHEA supplements to enhance physical performance and muscle mass. Research is also exploring its potential in neurodegeneration, insulin resistance, sexual function, bone metabolism, cognitive health, and age-related metabolic decline.

Recently, DHEA has gained attention as a supplement for postmenopausal women. While traditional hormone replacement therapy focuses on estrogen, some suggest that adding DHEA may improve libido and offer additional health benefits in postmenopausal women.

Does DHEA cause hair loss?

DHEA has health benefits for both men and women, but recent research shows it may contribute to hair loss, especially in those prone to male pattern baldness. Consider this potential side effect when using DHEA supplements.

The concern that DHEA might cause hair loss, especially in high-risk males, arises from its role as a testosterone precursor. Theoretically, DHEA could increase DHT levels, a hormone linked to male pattern baldness.

However, studies indicate that DHT sensitivity in hair follicles, not elevated DHT levels, is the primary cause of this condition.

Research hasn't established a direct connection between DHEA supplementation and hair loss. For instance, a 52-week study in postmenopausal women using 50 mg of DHEA found no significant side effects, including hair loss.

Similarly, older men with low testosterone levels experienced no increased hair loss with 50 mg of DHEA.

In postmenopausal women, DHEA might even help prevent certain types of hair loss related to hormonal changes, though more research is needed.

Overall, while the risk can't be entirely dismissed in high-risk individuals, clinical studies don't provide substantial evidence that DHEA causes hair loss.

What are the side effects of DHEA?

DHEA, though widely used as a dietary supplement, remains controversial due to its impact on androgenic and estrogenic receptors. It’s often recommended for postmenopausal women to improve bone health, libido, sexual function, and mood.

While generally considered safe, its long-term effects are still debated, and some side effects have been reported.

Here are some potential side effects of DHEA:

• May trigger hair loss in men with a family history of male pattern baldness.
• Sporadic reports of DHEA exacerbating symptoms of bipolar disorder, including severe mania.
• Early, unsupported concerns about DHEA potentially worsening COVID-19 infections.

Is hair loss reversible with DHEA?

Studies show that about 50 percent of people are at the risk of androgenic alopecia, and in some, hair loss may be severe. Although it is a benign condition, it may have a broader impact on psychological wellbeing.

Since it is believed that DHEA may boost levels of androgens, it is believed that it may contribute to increased hair loss. However, long-term studies have not shown that it causes hair loss.

Therefore, even if, in some cases, hair loss appears to be associated with DHEA supplementation, it may be good to discontinue its use. Androgenic alopecia is challenging to reverse or manage. Nonetheless, some individuals may respond to drug therapies or even some health supplements.

How can you treat DHEA hair loss?

There is a widespread belief that DHEA may cause irreversible hair loss. However, such findings are not supported by clinical studies. These beliefs are made worst by faulty and assumptive reports on various online platforms, as they are not supported by clinical data.

Studies show that DHEA does not cause hair loss in females. It does not appear to influence hair health in men. Men appear to be less sensitive to DHEA than females, even on its high dose and long-term use.

Nonetheless, if some individuals feel that their hair loss was made worse by DHEA supplementation, they may immediately discontinue its use. Hair loss with DHEA will only occur in genetically predisposed individuals, and it remains challenging to treat.

Studies show that both men and women may benefit from the application of minoxidil 5% solution. At present, it is the only topically applied drug with some proven efficacy in the early stages of androgenic alopecia.

Another treatment option for androgenic alopecia is the initiation of anti-androgenic therapy. Generally, finasteride may help (see finasteride before and after) in men, but its role in females is less clear. However, anti-androgenic therapy increases the risk of sexual dysfunction and prostate cancer.

Those who fail to respond to finasteride may benefit from Dutasteride. It is many times more potent and has a similar safety profile to finasteride.

In women, spironolactone is preferred over other medications. It is a potassium-sparing diuretic with a mild anti-androgenic effect.

Androgenic alopecia is challenging to manage and is a progressive condition. Thus, many individuals may ultimately require hair transplantation. Researchers are also exploring the role of other therapies like the use of specific natural supplements like caffeine, argan oil, biotin, collagen, pumpkin seed oil, and turmeric.

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Conclusion

Androgenic alopecia is the leading cause of hair loss in both men and women. It is a progressive condition. It is a genetic disorder.

It appears that the scalp or hair follicles of individuals living with this genetic trait are more sensitive to the influence of androgens. Since DHEA has mild androgenic action, there is a reason to believe that it may cause hair loss.

However, it appears that it does not cause any severe hair loss in men and women. Even if it appears to show signs of early hair loss, one may discontinue its use, as it is not a medication and not used to treat severe medical conditions. Further, treatment of hair loss would be similar to other cases of androgenic alopecia.

References