How Do Hormones Affect Baldness and Hair Health?

Hormones are among the most important substances in our body. They are present in everyone, in varying amounts – some have them in smaller quantities, others in slightly larger ones. They control and regulate all essential functions, such as metabolism, breathing, growth, reproduction, sleep, and so on. Additionally, they also affect hair and baldness.

Both male and female sex hormones, which are present in both sexes, have an impact on hair. Male hormones, known as androgens – the most well-known being testosterone – stimulate hair growth on the scalp as well as other body areas, such as the face, back, or chest. Hair is usually dark, thick, and long. However, it’s also the androgens that lead to baldness. In men who are predisposed to alopecia, testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone, commonly known as DHT. DHT binds to hair follicle cells, altering their growth cycle and gradually killing the follicle. This type of baldness is irreversible, though certain medications can slow it down if caught early. It typically appears in men after puberty when testosterone levels drop slightly.

Androgenic hormones also affect women's hair. They are produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands, albeit in much smaller amounts than male testes. However, if the sex glands start producing too much testosterone, women may experience hirsutism – excessive body hair, particularly in areas where females typically do not have hair, such as the chest, back, abdomen, and face. Similarly, an excess of testosterone can lead to baldness in women, known as androgenic alopecia. If hair appears suddenly, it could indicate a tumor, and it’s important to see a doctor immediately.

In both sexes, around the age of forty, androgen levels begin to decrease, causing hair to become thinner and sparser.

In contrast to androgens, female sex hormones known as estrogens slow down hair growth and make hair finer and shorter, which is why women are generally less hairy than men. Changes in estrogen levels, such as during menopause, pregnancy, or after childbirth, also affect hair. The texture, shape, and growth rate of hair can change. Some women may experience hair thinning, while others may see curly hair turn straight, and vice versa. If a woman has a genetic predisposition, hormonal changes can accelerate hair loss. The opposite effect occurs during pregnancy – estrogen and progesterone levels are high, causing more hair to enter the growth phase. As a result, pregnant women have their fullest and thickest hair, which may then shed suddenly after childbirth. This change is temporary, as hormonal balance is eventually restored.

A similar process occurs in the body during the use of contraceptive pills. The body interprets the absence of ovulation as pregnancy, leading to accelerated hair growth. After stopping the pills, many women notice increased hair shedding.

Not only sex hormones affect hair health; recent studies have shown that proper thyroid function, and thus the levels of T3 and T4 hormones, also plays a role.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, just below the throat, wrapping around the windpipe. Its only function is to produce hormones that regulate energy levels and cell reproduction throughout the body. According to recent research, two thyroid hormones, T3 and T4, directly impact hair health. If their levels are too high or too low, hair becomes brittle, fragile, thin, dull, and prone to shedding.

Since these findings are relatively new, doctors do not yet prescribe thyroid medications solely for thin and brittle hair, though this can be one of the symptoms. A blood test is required for an accurate diagnosis.

While healthy hair contributes more to our self-confidence than to our health, we should never overlook sudden changes in hair growth or loss. In such cases, it is advisable to visit a doctor, as some changes might be more concerning than we think.