Nowadays, among the most critical aesthetic problems is hair loss. Although many external factors affect hair loss, male hormones usually lie at the bottom of the problem. Androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern hair loss, occurs in people between the ages of 20 to 50, depending on the androgens.
Testosterone and DHT are hormones that play a role in androgenetic hair loss. The effects of androgens can be different in different parts of the body. For example, the testosterone that causes hair growth in the armpits can cause hair loss in the scalp.
Testosterone transforms healthy hair strands into thin hair over time, preventing hair growth and negatively affecting the functions of the hair follicle. In cases where the hormone estrogen is low in women, and excess androgen hormone is present in men, oily skin manifests itself. This oil in the scalp mixes with dead cells, dirt, and dust and turns into a substance called sebum.
Typically, we consider it normal to lose from 50 to 100 strands of hair per day. However, while this circulation is continuing, the sebum can block the root of the hair follicle. Therefore, this may result in the onset of hair loss. Both men and women have androgen hormones. Two types of androgens play a role in the hair loss process. These are testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Hair loss can occur for various reasons. However, hair loss related to testosterone levels is commonly known as androgenetic alopecia. Androgenic alopecia is a genetic disorder which causes thinning of the scalp hair. It occurs through an androgen-mediated mechanism in both men and women. Circulating testosterone is converted peripherally to DHT by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. This has a negative effect on hair follicles.
Testosterone Hair Loss Women
Older age, hormonal imbalance, menopause, stress, and some diseases cause hair loss in 1 out of every 5 women. Usually, female pattern hair loss in women causes thinning of hair. However, in the later stages, hair loss becomes evident. The deterioration of the system and the change of hormonal balances make hair loss inevitable for women, just like men.
About 80% of hair loss in women is androgenetic alopecia (hair loss due to male hormones). Hair loss in women may not be as visible as in men. This is because it appears in two different ways in women:
- Thinning of hair strands in the upper part of the head
- Loss of hair in large areas in the upper part of the head and the central area or receding of the frontal hairline
The testosterone hormone, which reaches the hair follicles through the vein, converts to DHT through the 5a-reductase type 2 enzyme.
Testosterone Hair Loss Men
About 90% of hair loss cases in men are because of genetic reasons. With the conversion of the male hormone testosterone to DHT by the 5a-reductase enzyme, the anagen phase (in which the hair develops) is shortened. As a result of hair follicles not being able to have the necessary nourishment, hair loss and thinning may occur.