SSRI's and male pattern baldness

[retropunk]

Antidepressants are known to cause hairloss. If you're talking about the M-wedge male pattern baldness, it may not be the anti-depressants. However, if you're predisposed to male pattern baldness, the drugs could probably attenuate the problem.

 

[hairwegoagain]

No, you are going bald because you are genetically programmed to do so. That's the ONLY reason.

 

[killbill123]

Could an SSRI trigger male pattern baldness? I have read that they can cause shedding, but not sure if they can cause male pattern baldness. Someone emailed me telling me they lost their temples because of effexor (a female). What do you think?

Don't listen to these guys poo-poo your question. I think you have something.

I have very little hair loss in my family, and none I know of at my young age (I'm 26).

I was diagnosed with a general anxiety disorder at 24 and put on Cymbalta, which is actually a SSNRI (but close enough). The shedding started almost immediately. Not only that, but it came with dandruff, which I never had in my life. I went on Nizoral for the dandruff, and it cleared up in a few months. I went off the Cymbalta and onto something else, and the shedding stopped. Effexor and Welbutrin didn't produce a similar result. I figured it was an anomaly and went on Cymbalta again last fall because it actually worked well on the anxiety. *BOOM* Shedding kicked in again, dandruff too. I'll never touch the stuff again. However, the shedding continues and I'm a NW2 now.

It's a scientific fact that antidepressants get into your hormones big-time, and hair loss is linked to hormones, so I don't know why people don't believe they can trigger early male pattern baldness in someone already genetically-programmed. Like I said, there's very little male pattern baldness in my family, and nothing at my age.

 

[JWM]

It's a scientific fact that antidepressants get into your hormones big-time,

Please cite where you read that.

 

[killbill123]

It's a scientific fact that antidepressants get into your hormones big-time,

Please cite where you read that.

Antidepressants affect the balance of brain chemicals and hormones, that's their purpose. Read anything about them.

 

[retropunk]

Don't listen to these guys poo-poo your question. I think you have something.

Drugs don't normally give you a male pattern baldness pattern. You'll usually get patches and the comes out in clumps (more than 20 or so). If you're losing this amount of hair, you're probably suffering from telogen effluvium. If the person is only losing hair in the temples, it sounds like androgenetic alopecia. If he wants a real answer, he/she should see a dermatologist.

 

[JWM]

Antidepressants affect the balance of brain chemicals and hormones

I'll give you the first, but I have NEVER read any studies and or documents (and I've read alot) that SSRIs or their similar treatments like Effexor and Cymbalta (dual inhibitors) affect hormones in anyway.

 

[docj077]

Antidepressants affect the balance of brain chemicals and hormones

I'll give you the first, but I have NEVER read any studies and or documents (and I've read alot) that SSRIs or their similar treatments like Effexor and Cymbalta (dual inhibitors) affect hormones in anyway.

Any antidepressants that affect dopaminergic pathways (which some of them do) will decrease the normal inhibition that dopamine provides when it comes to the production of prolactin. Prolactin levels could potentially increase inhibiting the release of GnRH from the hypothalamus. The end result is a lack of LH and FSH production from the anterior pituitary, and thus, a decrease in sex hormone production (testosterone).

That pathway is the likely reason why people taking antidepressants often suffer from low libido.

 

[JWM]

Can you cite this Doctor or is this your opinion? Becuase IF what you say is true about certain ADs inhibiting test production, then they would likely have a beneficial effect on hair.

 

[docj077]

Can you cite this Doctor or is this your opinion? Becuase IF what you say is true about certain ADs inhibiting test production, then they would likely have a beneficial effect on hair.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency ... 003718.htm

"People with the following conditions may have elevated prolactin levels:

Prolactinomas (a pituitary tumor that makes prolactin)
Other pituitary tumors and diseases
Hypothalamic disease
Hypothyroidism
Kidney disease
Chest wall trauma or irritation
Certain medications can also raise prolactin levels, including estrogens, tricyclic antidepressants, metoclopramide, phenothiazines, butyrophenones, reserpine, methyldopa, and H2 blockers.

If your prolactin levels are elevated, the test may be repeated in the early morning following an 8-hour fast."


This part is from wikipedia, but it's actually accurate. Plus, I don't feel like posting studies that demonstrate this phenomenon right now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperprolactinemia

"Hyperprolactinemia inhibits gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by increasing the release of dopamine from the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (dopamine inhibits GnRH secretion), thus inhibiting gonadal steroidogenesis, which is the cause of many of the symptoms described below..."


Hope that helps.

 

[JWM]

Thanks Doctor!

 

[youngbaldie]

If SSRIs lower testosterone production...isn't that a great thing for your hair? Especially if taken in combination with Propecia? It would counter the testosterone spike wouldn't it?

 

[youngbaldie]

Also, this website says that increased prolactin levels leads to increased DHT. Is this true?

"Zinc is a cofactor for many enzymes required for healing damaged skin.

Helps to reduce the prolactin levels in your body & thus secondarily inhibits DHT. Prostate enlargement is a common symptom of zinc deficiency & zinc deficiency is common among American men. Zinc may also play a role in the prevention of prostate cancer.

http://www.findhealer.com/glossary/Z.php3


If this is true then wouldn't SSRIs actually cause a rise in DHT, thus hurting your hair?

 

[youngbaldie]

More on the effects of increased prolactin:

"During early adulthood, your prostate grows to about the size of a walnut. But as you approach and pass through your 40s, your body plays a dirty trick on you. Your pituitary gland increases production of the hormone prolactin. Prolactin in turn stimulates production of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. Testosterone is affected by 5-alpha-reductase—it is converted to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). "


"As you get older, your pituitary produces prolactin. Prolactin stimulates the production of 5-alpha-reductase. 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone to DHT. DHT stimulates your prostate to swell up. Bang! You’ve got BPH … and its life-demeaning symptoms."


http://www.smart-publications.com/prost ... relief.php

 

[docj077]

More on the effects of increased prolactin:

"During early adulthood, your prostate grows to about the size of a walnut. But as you approach and pass through your 40s, your body plays a dirty trick on you. Your pituitary gland increases production of the hormone prolactin. Prolactin in turn stimulates production of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. Testosterone is affected by 5-alpha-reductase—it is converted to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). "


"As you get older, your pituitary produces prolactin. Prolactin stimulates the production of 5-alpha-reductase. 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone to DHT. DHT stimulates your prostate to swell up. Bang! You’ve got BPH … and its life-demeaning symptoms."


http://www.smart-publications.com/prost ... relief.php

Sorry, but I don't believe what you're posting and I don't trust the websites you use.

There are countless studies that demonstrate that increased prolactin levels decrease both the level of DHT and testosterone. In fact, hyperprolactinemia is associated with five alpha reductase inhibition.

Here is one example:

1: Acta Eur Fertil. 1986 Mar-Apr;17(2):129-31. Links

Hyperprolactinemia and 5-alpha-reductase activity.Noci I, Tantini C, Nardi E, Saltarelli O, Chelo E, Scarselli G, Bigazzi M, Messori A.

A number of experimental data indicate that hyperprolactinemia inhibits the activity of 5-alpha-reductase; however, no information is available about the time required for this enzyme to re-activate after prolactinemia has returned to normal values. In the present study, five normal caucasian men, whose fertility had previously been proven, were given HCG (5000 IU/day by intramuscular route for three days) both in basal conditions and after sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia (dosage = 200 mg/day for ten days). In both conditions, the plasma levels of prolactin (PRL), testosterone (T), dihydro-testosterone (DHT), 17-beta-estradiol (E2), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS) were monitored during the treatment with HCG and for an additional 24 hrs after HCG discontinuation. All hormones were assayed by RIA. Our results demonstrate that hyperprolactinemia causes a marked decrease (58%) of DHT, a less marked decrease (39%) of T, an increase (43%) of DHAS whereas only a small increase (2%) of E2 was observed. Steroids were shown to behave differently after the HCG tests performed in the two experimental conditions. In particular, the levels of DHT had a much more pronounced increased after HCG in the second test than in the first; in contrast, both DHAS and E2 had a less marked response after the second test. Our data, on the one hand, confirm that 5-alpha-reductase is inhibited by hyperprolactinemia; on the other hand, the hyperprolactinemia-induced block of this enzyme appears to be rapidly reversible because the enzyme is reactivated within 48-72 hrs after normalization of prolactin levels. (Normal values of prolactin were on the average achieved on the 4th day after sulpiride discontinuation).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

PMID: 2943108 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

[youngbaldie]

Thanks for that info Doctor. I trust your judgement over that website. I will admit, the site seems a little shady, maybe trying to sell something.

 

[docj077]

Thanks for that info Doctor. I trust your judgement over that website. I will admit, the site seems a little shady, maybe trying to sell something.

It would not be unreasonable to think that perhaps the reason people get T.E. and shedding on antidepressants is because of the increase in prolactin. The increase in prolactin reduces DHT and testosterone production. In men without male pattern baldness, those two hormones are probably pro-growth signals for the hair instead of growth inhibitory signals.

So, by removing or decreasing one of the "normal" growth signals, it is quite likely that the hair is forced into entering the catagen phase and that is where the shedding and possibly even some thinning could come from.

That's merely speculation, but it looks good on paper.

 

[Armando Jose]

Doc077 wrote:

In men without male pattern baldness, those two hormones are probably pro-growth signals for the hair instead of growth inhibitory signals.

So, by removing or decreasing one of the "normal" growth signals, it is quite likely that the hair is forced into entering the catagen phase and that is where the shedding and possibly even some thinning could come from.

That's merely speculation, but it looks good on paper.

It is very interesting, you noted "IN MEN WITHOUT male pattern baldness", It is the same than healthy people. A lot of time I also think that these "two hormones" are neccesary to have a healthy hair.

Have a nice day

Armando

 

[Bryan]

It would not be unreasonable to think that perhaps the reason people get T.E. and shedding on antidepressants is because of the increase in prolactin. The increase in prolactin reduces DHT and testosterone production. In men without male pattern baldness, those two hormones are probably pro-growth signals for the hair instead of growth inhibitory signals.

More and more I've been coming around to the opinion that androgens aren't pro-growth factors for ANY scalp hair, whether the subject is balding or not. I'll admit that the study that's been posted a few times recently has been a major factor in my thinking on that (the one showing that androgen levels, if sufficiently high, could suppress the growth of scalp follicles even in non-balding men).

 

[docj077]

It would not be unreasonable to think that perhaps the reason people get T.E. and shedding on antidepressants is because of the increase in prolactin. The increase in prolactin reduces DHT and testosterone production. In men without male pattern baldness, those two hormones are probably pro-growth signals for the hair instead of growth inhibitory signals.

More and more I've been coming around to the opinion that androgens aren't pro-growth factors for ANY scalp hair, whether the subject is balding or not. I'll admit that the study that's been posted a few times recently has been a major factor in my thinking on that (the one showing that androgen levels, if sufficiently high, could suppress the growth of scalp follicles even in non-balding men).

I agree that androgen levels in high enough concentrations should cause balding in any individual. However, I do think that they increase hair growth and diameter in whatever follicle is subject to their action up to a certain androgen response. After that, they seem to be very much an inhibitory entity in human hair pathophysiology.

Obviously, hair grows without the influence of high potency androgens. But, I often wonder if people taking medications that raise prolactin don't actually cause the follicle to somehow cycle differently. The addition that androgens make to follicular cycling may be minimal in a follicularly "normal" individual, but even the slightest change in hormones can alter the growth of cells. But, that's all speculation as we don't really have a good study that demonstrates such a phenomenon.


Bryan, I've been doing some looking around recently and I'm wondering if you've done any research into how estrogen affects hair growth. It seems as though the follicle requires particular forms of estrogen (17alpha estradiol) for normal growth and in the presence of 17beta-estradiol, hair growth is actually delayed. I also find it interesting that estrogens can stimulate pubic hair growth; this occurs not only in females, but males, as well. If you apply estrogen containing creams to male or female infants, you will get pubic hair growth and estrogen containing shots can be used to grow pubic hair in women with primary ovarian insufficiency.

Scalp hair does contain estrogen receptors (more than one type actually), so it seems like a waste for us to be so concerned with only the actions of androgens.

The above is just an aside, but I was wondering what your thoughts on the actions of estrogens seem to be.