Have you ever tried to consult your dermatologist to address your hair loss?
If so, you probably heard about the male sex hormone called dihydrotestosterone or DHT. You might also already know the importance of blocking DHT in treating male pattern baldness, right?
But did you know that clinical trials have proven that DHT blockers may cause some side effects?
Yes, it can. And today, we will show you some of the DHT blocker side effects and how this can affect our bodies. We will also try to answer other questions that may help you to fully understand what blocking this hormone does.
So what are we waiting for? Let’s go!
What Happens When You Block DHT?
DHT blockers can reduce the amount of this hormone that is bound in the androgen receptors found in your hair follicles. But before using this hair loss treatment, you must understand that they can also cause after effects.
Here are the most common side effects of DHT blockers that you should know:
- Impotence. Using DHT blocker prescriptions may lead to erectile dysfunction or the inability to get and hold an erection fit enough for sex.
- Loss of interest in sex. DHT is essential for male sexual development and maintaining sexual desire in men. That is why men with low DHT levels have a lesser sex drive.
- Trouble having an orgasm. One of the expected DHT blocker side effects is not reaching orgasm because of reduced sexual hormones in your body.
- Abnormal ejaculation. Ejaculating too early or taking too long to ejaculate is another sexual dysfunction that can be induced by using DHT blockers. Low ejaculatory volume may also happen.
- Swelling in your hands or feet. Swelling of some parts of the body is because of salt and water retention caused by low levels of DHT in our system.
- Swelling or tenderness in your breasts. Stopping testosterone conversion can create a hormonal imbalance in the body that could result in swollen breasts or breast enlargement in men.
- Dizziness, weakness, runny nose, and headache. These side effects are often caused by reducing the DHT levels in your body, which triggers hormonal imbalance and thus makes you feel sick.
- Skin rashes. Some studies show that applying DHT-blocking medicines can trigger skin irritation that may cause dryness, itching, and even skin rashes.
So if you have just started using some DHT inhibitors right now, do not worry. These side effects may be temporary and naturally resolve on their own once your body has adjusted to the medication.
What Is DHT?
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an essential sexual hormone with androgenic actions that can aid several bodily functions. DHT helps and contributes to the development of male characteristics, such as muscle mass, deep voice, and body hair.
While it is vital for the growth of body hair, excessive levels of DHT in the body are the most significant underlying factor behind male pattern baldness.
This male pattern hair loss problems develop due to hair follicle DHT sensitivity.
Aside from hair loss problems, high DHT levels are also the main culprit that can cause enlarged prostates and even prostate cancer.
How Is DHT Produced?
DHT is made through the transformation of the more commonly known androgen, testosterone.
Our body uses an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase to convert a small amount of testosterone into DHT in bodily tissues.
On average, almost 10% of the testosterone produced in our body is converted to DHT. And this process occurs in the testes and prostate for men while in the ovaries for women. It also occurs in our skin, liver, and even on existing hair follicles.
How Does DHT Cause Hair Loss?
As we all know, too much DHT can lead to thinning hair and, worst, to severe hair loss.
When DHT attaches to the receptors on your scalp, it inhibits the flow of essential nutrients to your hair follicles. After that, the follicles slowly become miniaturized and eventually shrink, which will shorten the hair growth cycle.
This process will ultimately lead to lesser hair count and baldness as excessive DHT hormones eventually cause new hair to stop growing.
Remember, although DHT is a necessary hormone in our body, we must always normalize its volume in our system by using DHT blockers.
Which Drugs Block DHT?
Finasteride is the best option if you are looking for a superior DHT-blocking drug prescribed by many dermatologists in the world.
Finasteride is the generic form of the widely known drug in the market called Propecia. This exceptional medication is proven to reduce DHT levels by as much as 70%.
This drug can also lower the DHT sensitivity of your hair follicle, making it an all-in-one hair regrowth product against hair loss.
So what are you waiting for? Speak with your medical professional today and ask if you can take this medication for you to start your hair regrowth journey for healthier and fuller hair in years to come.
How Can You Reduce Side Effects From Using Finasteride?
One of the most effective methods to lessen the side effects of finasteride is by reducing the dose you take. Studies show that downsizing the quantity and how often it is taken may minimize the chances of side effects.
You can also use topical finasteride that can be applied to the scalp. Absorption of this drug into the bloodstream may still occur, but side effects are much lesser.
But before doing these methods, always ask for your doctor’s advice to avoid any problems and complications that might occur.
What Are Natural DHT Blockers?
Many organic foods act as natural DHT blockers. And some of them can be easily found in your pantry.
Food rich in lycopene, such as tomatoes and carrots, is known for its ability to inhibit DHT production.
Pumpkin seed oil and green tea have a high level of antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress that contributes to the formation of DHT.
While snacking with peanuts can also do wonders for your hair as it contains L-lysine and biotin that normalize DHT levels in our bodies.
DHT Side Effects – Conclusion
DHT blockers are designed to lower the DHT levels in our body to encourage hair regrowth.
These DHT blockers work by inhibiting the production of these hormones that can affect the natural regeneration process of our hair. Although they might have some side effects, these symptoms are not permanent and will eventually resolve on their own.
And now that we understand these side effects, you should learn more about the other hair regrowth products that can boost hair regeneration.
If you want to know more and are looking for other products that can boost hair regrowth, you can see our list of the best DHT blocker supplements.
Fact Checked by our Director of Dermatology – We know that understanding how your skin and hair work can seem scary, so my team and I devote our time to thoroughly researching every single topic and product we write about. We hope you find our reviews helpful and informative.
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