Hair loss and baldness is one of the conditions that cause great concern and inconvenience to almost all men and women, as a person can suffer from hair loss at any age, it may be the result of genetic factors for some, or as a result of health conditions or taking certain medications for others, and with There is a link between hair loss and hormonal changes in the body, whether in men or women. In the following lines, we will talk about the most important causes of hair loss, and what is the relationship between the DHT hormone and hair loss? And how to treat that problem.

The relationship between DHT and hair loss

There is a close relationship between DHT and hereditary hair loss in both men and women. With its high levels in the body; As a result of high levels of testosterone (the male hormone), it affects the hair follicles, causing hair loss, but first let us explain to you what is the DHT hormone?

What is dihydrotestosterone?

The DHT hormone is in the category of androgens, and it is the hormones responsible for masculinity in men, and it plays a major role during puberty, as it is responsible for the deepening of the voice, muscle formation, and hair growth in various parts of the body in men.

How is DHT formed?

There is an enzyme called “5-alpha reductase” or “5 alpha reductase” that converts the testosterone hormone into DHT, and this process takes place in the bodies of men and women, but in different proportions of course, and research has not yet concluded on the role of this hormone in women’s bodies, but it is believed that it Responsible for hair growth in the pubic area after puberty.

How does DHT affect hair loss?

Some sources indicate that the DHT hormone stimulates androgen receptors in the scalp to cause hair follicles to shrink, resulting in hair loss and weakness. Research shows that this happens in some people because of:

• Elevated enzyme levels that catalyze the conversion of testosterone into DHT.
• The presence of the DHT hormone in a large percentage in the scalp.
• Increased number of DHT receptors in the hair follicles of the scalp.

Reasons for high hair loss hormone in men and women

Heredity plays an important role in the high levels of hair loss hormone in men and women, and some research has indicated the effect of smoking on the high levels of this hormone in the body, as nicotine affects the enzyme responsible for metabolism and body consumption of it, which leads to the accumulation of DHT, and she explains Other sources indicate that some medications may have an effect on raising the level of the hormone.

There is also a common cause of heavy hair loss, which is the excessive use of steroids and steroids for athletes, especially bodybuilders, and there are some other conditions that may increase hormone levels in both men and women, which are:

Reasons for increased DHT hormone in women

Some conditions may cause an increase in male hormone levels in women’s bodies, which in turn causes an increase in the level of DHT, the most famous of which are the following:

Reasons for high DHT hormone in men

• Oncology.
• Excessive intake of hormonal treatments without consulting a doctor.

Form baldness in men and women

With high levels of the DHT hormone and resulting hair loss, the pattern of genetic baldness in both men and women differs as follows:

• In men: It is known as male-pattern baldness, which is a regression of hair starting from the temples or from the middle, and it may develop into partial or complete baldness.
• In women: It is known as female-pattern baldness, which is hair loss from the line in the middle of the hair, and it is divided into three stages.

How to inhibit DHT hormone and treat baldness

The sources explain that stopping the DHT hormone in women and men to prevent the exacerbation of baldness is done through two types of drugs, namely:

• BlockersThese are drugs that stop the DHT hormone from binding to receptors in the body and scalp.
• DHT inhibitorsWhich works to reduce its levels in the body.

Some medications and other treatments are also used for hair loss, including:

Finasteride

Finasteride is a drug approved by the American Health and Drug Administration for men only, and it works to prevent the conversion of testosterone to DHT, which protects hair follicles from shrinking.

minoxidil

It is a vasodilator drug that improves blood circulation in the scalp, which promotes hair growth after a period of use.

Pumpkin seed oil

There was a study that reported an increase in the number of ingrown hairs by up to 40% in some men suffering from baldness, after taking a specific amount of pumpkin seed oil daily for 24 weeks.

Vitamins and nutritional supplements

Some doctors indicate the need to follow an integrated diet that contains vitamins, especially biotin, vitamins B6 and B12, to improve hair health.

Finally, after knowing the relationship between the DHT hormone and hair loss, we advise you to take the medications we mentioned under the supervision of specialized doctors, given the side effects that they may cause, which must be taken with the prescriptions and doses determined by the doctor.