Fri 10 Nov 2006
I’ve always been a pretty hairy guy, so you can imagine my shock when I first noticed that my head hair began to thin due to male pattern baldness. I immediately started Propecia to keep from losing too much more. That was over a year ago. Lately, I have noticed that the body hair on my shoulders and chest seem to be thinner and less dense. Almost as if I have stopped balding on my head and it moved down to my torso. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining, but I was wondering if there can be a connection.
It almost seems like nature’s cruel joke: the very same element that causes male-pattern baldness also spurs increased body hair growth. DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) is the product of testosterone mixing with the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase. DHT then binds to the receptor sites of healthy scalp hair follicles, essentially choking the life out of them by limiting blood and nutrient channels. However, DHT plays a crucial role in stimulating body hair growth during adolescence, so an overabundance in the body only spurs more growth.
So it is no surprise that body hair thins when DHT is limited in the body due to taking a DHT-inhibitor such as Propecia, but it is doubtful that it will rid you of body hair completely.
Check out more information on Propecia and Avodart, another DHT-inhibitor along with more information on the mechanisms that cause hair loss in the article, Propecia vs. Avodart; Which Internal DHT Inhibitor Should You Choose?
Robert – Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog
Technorati Tags: male pattern baldness, Propecia, body hair, balding, male-pattern baldness, DHT, Dihydrotestosterone, testosterone, 5 alpha-reductase, hair loss
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July 23rd, 2009 at 10:40 pm
I have been taking Propecia for about 6 months and a very positive side effect has been the reduction (and almost the elimination) of upper should and back hair. It was never very dense, but a little course. It is basically gone. Propecia needs to be advertising this affect as I am not seeing a significant amount of scalp regrowth, but this back hair reduction is great.
June 24th, 2011 at 11:39 pm
So, the DHT is the root cause of hair loss and increase in body hair? Ok, I’ve been taking bodybuilding supplement that helps in DHT blocking, is it okay for me to consume Propecia as well?Does is stacked? any negative effect?
June 28th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
Fick,
Yes, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the hormone responsible for hair loss and has been linked to increases/growth of body hair.
As far as stacking Propecia (finasteride) with a body building supplement that already blocks DHT is concerned, I would definitely discuss this issue with a personal physician as you want to make sure you aren’t taking twice the normal amount of (essentially) one medication (DHT blocker).
I hope this helps.
Blake (Future_HT_Doc)
Editorial Assistant