Thinning Hair? What You Need to Know About DHT in Women. An abundance of DHT in women can lead to hair loss. Research shows that over 25 million women in the U.S. are currently losing their hair, with hormones said to be the main cause. DHT is typically found in larger quantities in men, which is a reason why baldness is typically considered a male condition. DHT in women can lead to a condition called female pattern baldness, which is becoming increasingly more common.
Thankfully, DHT does not lead to the same type of extreme hair loss experienced in men. Most women report a receding hairline and overall thinning of the hair. Female hair loss begins around the same time as menopause. Studies show that 37% of women report to experience hair loss after menopause, compared to 13% who report to experience hair loss before menopause.
The reason why female baldness is more prevalent after menopause is because, when women stop ovulating it leads to fluctuations in hormone levels. During this time, testosterone may come into contact with the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which leads to the production of DHT. When DHT is produced it disrupts the process of hair growth because it interacts with the hair follicles and cell membrane receptor. This process leads to an excess of androgenic hormones being produced, which is why it has earned the term “androgen alopecia”.
What Is DHT, Anyway?
DHT is an androgen hormone, which by definition means it’s a male hormone; “andro” is a Greek prefix meaning “masculine”. In addition, DHT is primarily responsible for prostate and hair growth in men. DHT does not play a role during female development. The DHT hormone is especially troublesome for women because it is an aromatase blocker, that means it can block male hormones from being converted into a female hormone. DHT is produced in the body through testosterone converting to DHT.
Having too little DHT is not a cause for concern in women. However, having too much DHT can lead to hair loss, as described above. DHT binds to the receptors of hair follicles 5 times more than testosterone. It is thought that an abundance of DHT attached to hair follicle receptors can trigger the follicles to miniaturize, leading to hair loss.
Can You Reduce DHT in Women?
The first step to reducing DHT in women is to stop the excessive production of androgenic hormones. This is instrumental in reducing the inflammatory conditions in the hair follicle. You can block the enzyme and slow the conversion to DHT by using herbs. Such as saw palmetto and nettles root extract or the pharmaceutical drug finasteride.
If you notice you have been losing your hair, another step is to begin immediately. Therefore, switching to a diet rich in antioxidants. In addition, make sure to get proper rest, regular exercise, and keep stress levels low. If you’re looking for a more immediate solution you could also look into hormone replacement therapy.
Hormone replacement therapy may help reduce DHT in women, which is why I invite you to contact me for a consultation. The time to regain your confidence is NOW. Don’t suffer any longer. Get hormone replacement therapy for women by scheduling a consultation. Call 973- 218-1199.
She is a recognized and award-winning holistic, functional, integrative and anti-aging healthcare practitioner, speaker and author, and has been featured in ABC News, Forbes, WOR Radio and many media outlets to spread the word that you can live younger and healthier at any age.