Like its better-known cousin testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an androgenic sex hormone that plays an integral role in the development of sexual characteristics in men.
DHT is responsible for the development of male reproductive organs in genetically male infants in the womb. This includes the prostate, scrotum, and penis.
Meanwhile, the main role of DHT during puberty is to promote the growth of body and facial hair. It also plays a role in helping develop muscle mass and a deeper voice.
In adult males, DHT is responsible for conditions such as male pattern baldness, abnormal hair growth in women, and medical conditions affecting the prostate, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement) and prostate cancer.
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What is the difference between DHT and testosterone?
Testosterone and DHT are both male sex hormones or androgens, but DHT is considered more potent than its better-known relative. DHT stays longer in the body and attaches to androgen receptors with more force.
DHT is a byproduct of testosterone due to the effects of the enzyme known as 5-alpha-reductase. 5-alpha-reductase converts about 10% of your testosterone into DHT in tissues like the skin, prostate, liver, and hair follicles.
What is the relation of DHT to hair loss?
Hair loss is caused by several factors. For instance, hair loss can be caused by certain medical conditions or certain vitamin and nutrient deficiencies. However, the most prevalent cause of hair loss is male pattern hair loss, otherwise known as androgenic alopecia or AGA. It is estimated that one-half of all men will experience hair loss by age 50 – with the problem worsening as men undergo the natural process of aging.
Men with male pattern baldness are genetically susceptible to androgen-sensitive hair follicles and higher concentrations of DHT in the body.
DHT reduces the hair follicle’s growth stage, leading to shorter, thinner hair growth. These smaller, thinner hairs cause visible, recognizably patterned hair loss over time.
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What are DHT blockers, and how are they used to treat hair loss?
Now that you’ve gathered the intel on DHT’s effects, how do we prevent it from causing future hair loss problems down the line?
Well, that’s where two main treatments come in – both of which block the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, which creates DHT.
These two treatments are known as finasteride (brand name Proscar) and dutasteride (brand name Avodart). They are taken as oral tablets in FDA-approved treatments for prostate enlargement (or BPH). However, only finasteride is approved by the FDA for treating male pattern baldness. Dosages vary depending on what you’re taking finasteride for.
How do DHT blockers function, and how well do they work? Based on the research, finasteride can help stem the tide of male pattern baldness in as much as 80% of men and promote new hair growth in 60%. However, finasteride takes up to several months to deliver tangible results.
Meanwhile, you might have seen ads for shampoos that are marketed as DHT blockers. Do they work? The truth is, there’s not a lot of scientific research to back the claims. Shampoos with ketoconazole may help fight against hair loss, which has led scientists to theorize about ketoconazole’s ability to reduce DHT production. Needless to say, more research is needed to conclusively determine its effects.
Thus far, the only topical medication that the FDA has approved specifically for hair loss is minoxidil, more commonly known by its brand Rogaine. However, minoxidil doesn’t block DHT as finasteride or dutasteride does. Instead, it stimulates hair growth by boosting blood flow to the hair follicles.
