Can Testosterone Boosters Cause Hair Loss? (The Bald Truth)

Testosterone boosters provide many benefits, but they can also put one at risk (if not taken properly). One of these potential side effects is hair loss or thinning hair.

But can testosterone booster supplements really lead to hair loss?

Find out more in this article.

Can Testosterone Boosters Cause Baldness and How?

No, T boosters do not cause baldness if taken within the recommended prescription and dosage. T boosters also provide the following benefits if taken properly:

• Improved mood
• Enhanced energy
• Better sex drive or libido
• Fat loss
• Increased muscle mass
• Enhanced physical and sexual functions

On the other hand, overdosing on T boosters against the recommendation and advice of a medical professional can increase your Test to abnormally high levels. 

This can result in higher Dihydrotestosterone production, which may then cause shrinking hair follicles.

Underdosing and overdosing on vitamins and minerals can also contribute to hair loss. The same may also manifest as a side effect of testosterone replacement therapy, as it adds DHT to your system.

What Is Testosterone, and How Does Testosterone Affect Hair?

Testosterone is produced inside the body and is present in all humans.

Testosterone is created in the testes in men and in the ovaries in women. Male bodies typically produce much more testosterone than female bodies. 

Moreover, free testosterone levels in males can affect how sperm production will progress, the individual's energy levels, moods, and sexual functions.

In addition, a hormonal imbalance caused by either low testosterone or high testosterone levels can be detrimental to hair health, resulting in either thinning or hair loss (when hair follicles shrink).

Excess Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can also influence the growth cycle of hair, particularly for male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia⁽¹⁾. This is characterized by the following:

• Receding hairline
• Thinning strands
• Bald spots

DHT is a derivative of testosterone and is also an important sex hormone. 

Studies⁽²⁾ show that DHT production advances growth in the body and facial hair during childhood and puberty.

However, when DHT levels are either abnormally low or high, some men may suffer from the hair loss symptoms mentioned above.

Can Low Testosterone Level Cause Hair Loss?

Yes, low testosterone levels can lead to hair loss, especially on the scalp, causing male pattern baldness. Usually, baldness starts at the crown or the top of the head.

Low testosterone levels will also lead to a deficiency in DHT production. Insufficient DHT can then cause hair regrowth and promotes hair fall in adults.

However, if you subscribe to testosterone replacement therapy or use testosterone-boosting supplements, low testosterone levels can be increased and may eventually reach healthy levels.

Will Increased Levels of Testosterone Cause Hair Loss?

Increased testosterone levels can also contribute to hair loss among men.

If you have abnormally high testosterone levels, DHT production also rises. As mentioned earlier, increased DHT may reduce hair follicle size, resulting in slower regrowth.

What Ingredients in Testosterone Boosters are Responsible for Causing Baldness?

Again, take note that T boosters can only contribute to baldness if consumed beyond the recommended dosage. 

Typically, their suggested servings also consider the safe dosages of each ingredient. However, it's always best to be sure. 

Based on this review⁽³⁾, the following popular T-booster ingredients need to be within the recommended daily allowance to ensure that hair loss will not occur:

• Vitamin A - This vitamin is essential for the body's protection against free radicals and bacteria. However, too much Vitamin A⁽³⁾ in a supplement can make you experience thinning hair because of gradual hair loss. (Recommended Daily Allowance: 900 mcg RAE for men and 700 mcg RAE for women)
• B Vitamins - If you have a testosterone booster and rely only on it for your daily Vitamin B consumption, you may be prone to hair loss, but more studies are needed⁽³⁾ to confirm this. (Recommended Daily Allowance: Listed in another section below)

Do They Affect Men and Women Equally?

Both men and women can undergo male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness, respectively.

According to research⁽⁴⁾, approximately 73.5% of men and 57% of women undergo gradual balding throughout their lives.

Is Hair Loss from Testosterone Boosters Reversible?

Yes, hair loss from testosterone boosters is reversible and is typically addressed by the following:

• Oral prescription medications
• Topical non-prescription products in the form of creams and shampoo
• Natural options like pumpkin seed oil and saw palmetto extract

Supplements That Can Help Hair Loss Caused by Testosterone Boosters and Testosterone Supplements

To bring back your hair from the dreaded effects of gradual balding, you can use the following supplements:

• DHT blockers - Dihydrotestosterone blockers act as barriers to limit the actions of 5 alpha-reductase enzymes and inhibit the production of DHT. Topical and oral blockers are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), particularly Minoxidil and Finasteride:
  • Finasteride is a DHT blocker that can only be purchased if you have a prescription from a medical professional. It is taken orally, promotes healthy strand growth, and treats enlarged prostate. However, some research⁽⁵⁾ shows that a small portion of the male population (with benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH)who took this had higher instances of erectile dysfunction.
  • Minoxidil, commonly known as Rogaine, is available in foam or as a topical solution and is usually applied directly to the scalp with an applicator. It helps increase blood flow for faster hair regrowth. Common side effects are itching or allergic reactions.
• Biotin supplements - Biotin or Vitamin B7 plays a role in how hair loss can be prevented⁽⁶⁾.

• Vitamin B supplements - Supplementing your body and hair with Vitamin B is essential because it helps grow cells and produce hormones. Vitamin B has a lot of varieties, and we included the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) of each below:
  • Vitamin B1 - Thiamine (RDA: 1.2 mg for men, 1.1 mg for women)
  • Vitamin B2 - Riboflavin (RDA: 1.3 mg for men, 1.1 mg for women)
  • Vitamin B3 - Niacin (RDA: 16 mg NE for men, 14 mg NE for women)
  • Vitamin B5 - Pantothenic acid (RDA: 5 mg for men and women)
  • Vitamin B6 (RDA: 1.7 mg for men, 1.5 mg for women)
  • Vitamin B7 - Biotin (Adequate Intake: 30 mg for men and women)
  • Vitamin B9 - Folate (RDA: 400 mcg DFE for men and women)
  • Vitamin B12 (RDA: 2.4 mcg for men and women)
• Pumpkin seed oil extract - This naturally-sourced component is a DHT blocker. A study⁽⁷⁾ shows that the pumpkin seed oil extract increased the strand count and diameter by 40% after 24 months.
• Saw palmetto - The extract from the saw palmetto tree is shown to have components that limit the DHT from the hair strands and follicles.

Other Treatment Options to Promote Hair Growth

Aside from the mentioned supplements to improve growth, there are also other testosterone hair-loss treatment options that you can rely on.

These are some of the treatment options typically recommended:

• Hair transplant
• Hormone therapy
• Laser light treatment

Moreover, you can also use a naturally-sourced treatment regimen, like:

• Rosemary oil
• Castor oil
• Olive oil
• Green tea
• Hibiscus

What Other Causes are There for Balding?

Aside from the relationship between testosterone and hair loss, you can also experience hair loss due to aging, genetics, treatment shock, and stress:

• Aging - As men age, especially from their 30s to 60s, the production of new hair follicles starts and continues to decline until one loses most or all of their hair.
• Genetics - Even during your 30s, it is still possible to suffer hair loss if you are genetically predisposed to baldness.
• Treatment Shock - Adhering to extreme regimens to have perfect volume or to avoid hair loss may cause thinning of hair.
• Stress - Aside from treatment shock, emotional shock, such as severe stress, can significantly worsen hair loss.

Are There Things You Can Do to Avoid Balding?

You can improve your lifestyle to avoid baldness.

Here are some tips:

• Make sure to have a balanced diet with sufficient daily calories and zinc-rich foods
• Avoid putting your hair through too much heat-induced stress
• Loosen your bun and ties
• Gentle hair washing is best
• Keep your hair away from harsh coloring, straightening, and curling chemicals

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In this section, we have answered some of your frequently asked questions about low T, boosters, and hair loss:

Conclusion: Do Testosterone Boosters Really Cause Hair Loss?

So, can T boosters cause hair loss?

If taken in moderation and at their recommended servings, no, testosterone boosters will not cause hair loss. 

However, hair loss becomes a risk ONLY if you do not follow the proper dosage and recommended intake length.

Also, take note of the ingredient dosages in your T booster. Overloading on some vitamins can also pose the risk of hair loss.

It would be best to always consult with your doctor. By doing so, you won't need to worry about abnormal T levels and hair loss.

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2. Kinter, Kevin J. and Aabha A. Anekar. “Biochemistry, Dihydrotestosterone.” StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 9 March 2022.↩
3. Almohanna, Hind M et al. “The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review.” Dermatology and therapy vol. 9,1 (2019): 51-70. doi:10.1007/s13555-018-0278-6↩↩↩
4. Gan, Desmond C C, and Rodney D Sinclair. “Prevalence of male and female pattern hair loss in Maryborough.” The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings vol. 10,3 (2005): 184-9. doi:10.1111/j.1087-0024.2005.10102.x↩
5. Shin, Yu Seob et al. “Finasteride and Erectile Dysfunction in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or Male Androgenetic Alopecia.” The world journal of men's health vol. 37,2 (2019): 157-165. doi:10.5534/wjmh.180029↩
6. Patel, Deepa P et al. “A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss.” Skin appendage disorders vol. 3,3 (2017): 166-169. doi:10.1159/000462981↩
7. Cho, Young Hye et al. “Effect of pumpkin seed oil on hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.” Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM vol. 2014 (2014): 549721. doi:10.1155/2014/549721↩