August 28, 2021

Hair Loss Among Those on Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Of the millions of people who are experiencing hair loss today, there’s a large percentage who can trace the cause back to either genetics or hormones. That’s why hair loss becomes a concern for the many people who are on testosterone replacement therapy. Regardless of the reasons for your hormone therapy, knowing that hair loss might be a side effect can be a huge concern. We understand your concerns at the Hair Restoration Institute, and we can help with a wide variety of hair restoration treatments that can help stimulate hair growth and replace the hair you’ve lost.

How does testosterone cause hair loss?

Rather than being a direct cause, TRT is associated with hair loss in some people. It’s important to know the facts about how this can happen because it’s a complicated process that will affect your ultimate hair replacement goals. We’ll start by reviewing the two most common causes of male pattern baldness, the type of hair loss you may experience from testosterone replacement therapy:

Hormones. 

Generally speaking, hormones can affect hair growth, but there’s one particular sex hormone that is most commonly linked to male pattern baldness: dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It’s one of several different types of this hormone that most affects your hair follicles. Hair grows from hair follicles in your scalp, and it’s important that these follicles remain healthy and strong to promote healthy hair growth. The problem happens when DHT binds to the androgen receptors on those follicles, and that’s where genetics comes in.

Genetics. 

Genetics becomes part of the hair loss equation when you inherit certain genes that make follicles weak against the effects of testosterone. If you don’t have these genes in your family history, you may not see hair loss during testosterone replacement therapy. But if these genes are present, the extra DHT hormones cause these weak follicles to stop producing hair. 

Should I skip testosterone replacement therapy if I’m worried about hair loss?  

If your doctor has recommended testosterone replacement therapy for you, then he or she has probably determined that any side effects outweigh the benefits of TRT. Low testosterone can cause a number of symptoms, some of which can be serious:

• Low sex drive and erectile disfunction
• Low energy and fatigue
• Diminishing muscle mass
• Depression and irritability
• and more

If you’ve seen the doctor because these symptoms were troubling and TRT was suggested, then its benefits probably outweigh the possibility of hair loss side effects.It’s important to remember that not everyone will experience hair loss with TRT. It only happens when you also have inherited genes from your family that make follicles weak in the presence of DHT. Talk to your general practitioner if you have any concerns like TRT side effects. But you can also be certain that if you do experience hair loss from TRT, we can help at the Hair Replacement Institute. 

What kinds of therapies help with hair loss?

There’s always hope when it comes to hair loss because there are so many options for hair restoration using advanced medical procedures, state-of-the-art technology, and highly effective hair replacement systems. We work with hundreds of people just like you at Hair Replacement Institute, and it always starts with one private, discreet consultation where we develop a personalized hair replacement plan for you. Our long menu of hair replacement and hair growth therapies include: 

• Hair loss prevention products like shampoos and conditioners, which stimulate your follicles for healthy hair growth
• Scalp micropigmentation, a semi-permanent scalp treatment that creates a fuller looking head of hair for those who wear buzz cut styles
• Natural-looking custom wigs
• Hair growth therapies like PRP and laser light therapy 
• Natural-looking, easy-wear Dermal Lens hair replacement systems
• FUT or FUE hair transplantation treatments 

Make your consultation appointment today at Hair Restoration Institute. At your free, private consultation, we’ll assess your hair loss needs, your overall health, and your hair replacement goals and build a custom plan for hair restoration just for you. You can find us at 8030 Old Cedar Ave S Ste 202 in Bloomington, MN, or call 612-588-HAIR (4247) for a private, complimentary consultation.