Increased DHT (dihydrotestosterone) can be caused by conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer, male pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia), and excessive male-pattern hair growth in females (hirsutism).
It is formed primarily in peripheral tissues of the body, where it exerts its effects. Testosterone converts to DHT by the action of the 5 alpha-reductase enzyme at these target tissues. [1] This isolated synthesis at a specific target tissue makes DHT primarily a paracrine hormone.
It happens when their ovaries create excess androgens, including testosterone, which leads to increased DHT levels. This causes a variety of symptoms, including irregular periods, excessive hair growth (hirsutism) and acne.
Women with too much dihydrotestosterone may develop increased body, facial and pubic hair growth (called hirsutism), stopping of menstrual periods (amenorrhoea) and increased acne. Abnormal changes to the genitalia may also occur in women with too much dihydrotestosterone.
Practicing a healthy lifestyle can help reduce DHT levels naturally. This includes regular exercise, quit smoking, reduce stress, take time to rest, and do scalp exercises like massages to reduce tension and increase blood flow. The herbal route is also an effective natural way to reduce DHT in the body.
Not necessarily. The relationship between testosterone and male pattern hair loss is complex. Only a small percentage of testosterone gets converted to DHT, and if you have high DHT levels, you may have more severe health issues that need to be addressed.
Is DHT hair loss reversible? Yes, a DHT hair loss treatment can help you get your lost hair line. Though, it can only happen if you act promptly.
The hormone is made in the adrenal glands and affects the testes, prostate and hair follicles. According to a study published on the National Institute of Health's PubMed, exercise does have the potential to increase DHT levels.
Does stress increase DHT? Stress does cause hair loss, however, it is not thought to directly increase DHT levels. Instead, it affects your hair through other mechanisms – such as prompting your body to conserve nutrients for core functions, or pushing hair into the resting phase too quickly.
There are a number of naturally occurring ingredients that are believed to block DHT and help to slow male pattern baldness. These include; saw palmetto, stinging nettle, pumpkin seed oil, lycopene, green tea, caffeine and fenugreek – to name a few of the most common.
Because DHT blockers like finasteride stop the conversion of testosterone to DHT, they may contribute to a slight increase in your total testosterone levels. In a study published in the journal Urology in 2003, researchers found that long-term use of finasteride was associated with a modest increase in testosterone.
All three androgens show reliable positive correlations with self-ratings of spontaneous aggression. Dominance exhibits a positive, statistically significant correlation to Tser and to DHT. In addition, DHT is negatively related to the scale restraint of aggression.
Niacin, one of the B vitamins, promotes healthy blood flow to the scalp which keeps the follicles healthy and helps blocks DHT. This nutrient is also essential for other cosmetic purposes, such as aging and general health.
If you're starting to notice the early signs of balding and want to take action, these medications are a safer bet than changes to your diet alone. Your options include: Finasteride. Finasteride is a prescription medication that works by stopping your body from converting testosterone into DHT.
Research shows that adequate levels of zinc in the body can block the production of DHT, which is an androgen. Excessive amounts of androgen in the body can shrink hair follicles, which inhibits hair growth and results in hair loss. However, severe zinc deficiencies are not common.
DHT blockers are safe and effective for most men, so you don't have to worry about weird DHT blocker side effects like hairy palms from scrubbing these shampoos into your hair. However, some DHT-blocking medications may cause other side effects — including sexual ones.
In addition to blocking DHT, caffeine is an effective anti-inflammatory. Although you likely associate caffeine primarily with the cup of coffee or tea you drink in the morning, it is a powerful health ingredient. Furthermore, caffeine can help improve blood flow.
Too much DHT may contribute to male pattern baldness, depression and hair growth in women, and prostate enlargement. According to some studies, some natural strategies may be able to lower DHT, including tea, soybean, nettle root, and pumpkin seed oil. Red ginseng, curcumin, and saw palmetto may also help.
DHT Reduction
One way that people can balance the amount of DHT in their body is to exercise. Moderate exercise three to five times per week helps regulate hormones and control DHT production levels.
Other substances in food that naturally inhibit DHT, including L-lysine and zinc, can be found in almonds, peanuts, pecans, walnuts, and cashews. Including nuts in your diet on a daily basis can help naturally reduce your DHT levels. Zinc is also found in leafy green vegetables, such as kale and spinach.
Bananas
Bananas also help maintain healthy DHT levels by helping you develop a healthy gut and prevent your body from overproducing DHT. Bananas are your go-to DHT blocking food!