Is blocking DHT bad?

Author: Wava Harvey  |  Last update: Tuesday, September 23, 2025

The problem is that DHT does much more than contribute to hair loss. It also plays a crucial role in male sexual development and mood regulation. When DHT levels are reduced, either intentionally or unintentionally, it can impact these functions in unwanted ways and cause: Impotence.

Is it harmful to block DHT?

There are some negative DHT blocker side effects to understand. While they are often considered the best DHT blocker solutions, there can be some more severe side effects, such as: Ejaculation problems. Erectile dysfunction.

Will hair regrow if DHT is blocked?

These blockers work by inhibiting or reducing the conversion of testosterone into DHT. By doing so, they aim to slow down the progression of hair loss and, in some cases, even promote hair regrowth.

Does blocking DHT affect muscle growth?

By decreasing DHT levels, Finasteride could theoretically impair muscle hypertrophy or the ability to gain muscle mass. Research on whether Finasteride affects muscle growth directly is limited. Several studies have indicated that Finasteride does not significantly impair muscle mass or strength gains.

Are DHT blocker supplements safe?

DHT blockers are safe and effective for most men. However, some DHT-blocking medications may cause certain side effects — including sexual ones. The most common side effects of finasteride include: Decreased libido.

DHT blockers, testosterone & the relationship with hair loss | Parsa Mohebi, MD

Do DHT blockers mess up hormones?

Oral Dutasteride and oral Finasteride can alter the levels of other hormones as well as DHT. This can interfere with the menstrual cycle and foetal development, so these drugs are not usually recommended for women. Men who are trying to conceive should also avoid these medicines.

Does your body need DHT?

DHT plays a vital role in the sexual development of males. During embryonic life, DHT is involved primarily in the sexual differentiation of organs. Through adolescence and adulthood, DHT promotes prostate growth, sebaceous gland activity, male pattern baldness, and body, facial, and pubic hair growth.

Why should we block DHT?

DHT can be detrimental to hair follicles as it causes them to shrink and leads to hair thinning and potential baldness in genetically predisposed individuals.

Does DHT age skin?

All three types of skin aging—biological, environmental, and mechanical—contribute to the skin's loss of firmness. Biologically, our body naturally produces more of the hormone DHT as we age. As DHT levels increase, elastin production is inhibited. Elastin is another skin structural protein found in the dermis.

How can I increase DHT naturally?

Adding foods rich in nutrients such as red meat, eggs, dairy products, and nuts can boost the production of DHT. However, it is just as crucial to add natural blockers, such as pumpkin seed oil and green tea, to your diet to balance out and control levels of DHT and minimize hair loss.

What is the strongest natural DHT blocker?

13 best natural DHT blockers
  • Tomatoes. ...
  • Pumpkin seeds. ...
  • Kale. ...
  • Rosemary water for hair. ...
  • Stinging nettles. ...
  • Carrots. ...
  • Finasteride. ...
  • Dutasteride. Dutasteride is designed to suppress the conversion of testosterone into DHT, for treating enlarged prostates and reducing hair loss.

Can DHT baldness be reversed?

Fortunately, there are multiple ways to treat hair loss related to high levels of DHT. Inhibitors are one of the most popular forms of dihydrotestosterone hair loss treatment. Like the name suggests, inhibitors can reduce the body's production of DHT, allowing hair to grow normally again.

Is DHT bad for brain?

DHT enhanced synaptic plasticity-related proteins, such as SYN, PSD95, and Drebrin, and activated the CREB signaling pathway by AR, thereby improving the hippocampal synaptic structure and increasing synaptic plasticity to improve cognitive function (69).

Does blocking DHT increase testosterone?

By blocking the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, finasteride prevents the conversion of testosterone to DHT. This leads to increased testosterone levels, as less is being converted to DHT. In clinical studies, men taking finasteride had 9-15% higher testosterone levels compared to placebo after 3-12 months of treatment.

How do I know if my DHT is high?

DHT and PCOS
  1. Irregular periods.
  2. Increase in facial and unwanted hair in the back.
  3. Acne in the chin area.
  4. Increase or decrease in weight.
  5. Mood swings.
  6. Male pattern baldness.
  7. Loss or increase in appetite.

At what age DHT is high?

DHT and benign prostatic hyperplasia

It's very common in males over the age of 50. Your prostate can produce large amounts of DHT. This local DHT production stimulates normal prostate activity but also commonly leads to prostate growth. BPH can cause difficulty with peeing and sexual dysfunction.

What does DHT do to your face?

DHT plays a crucial role in sexual development in individuals assigned male at birth, promoting body hair growth and maintaining reproductive health. However, increased levels of DHT can also lead to acne, as it can stimulate oil production in the skin, potentially causing clogged pores and breakouts.

Does DHT deepen voice?

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a male sex hormone responsible for the characteristics that make men appear masculine. DHT is responsible for a man's deep voice, facial hair, muscle growth, and hair loss condition called male pattern baldness.

Is rosemary oil a DHT blocker?

DHT blocker: Scientists have found that rosemary oil can act as a DHT blocker, since it blocks dihydrotestosterone, a hormone responsible for the thinning of hair, causing baldness in those who suffer from androgenic alopecia.

Is biotin a DHT blocker?

As people age further, DHT levels can increase in men, thereby causing hair loss. While important nutrients like biotin and Omega 3 support dietary deficiencies, it is the DHT blocker that is instrumental in keeping this hormone under control.

Does zinc reduce DHT?

While zinc does not directly block DHT, it may indirectly reduce DHT levels by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone to DHT. However, more research is needed to confirm the efficacy and optimal dosage of zinc for this purpose.

Is it bad to stop DHT?

The problem is that DHT does much more than contribute to hair loss. It also plays a crucial role in male sexual development and mood regulation. When DHT levels are reduced, either intentionally or unintentionally, it can impact these functions in unwanted ways and cause: Impotence.

What is the strongest natural anti androgen?

Red reishi, commonly known as LingZhi in Chinese, is a mushroom thought to have many health benefits. In a research study exploring the anti-androgenic effects of 20 species of mushrooms, reishi mushrooms had the strongest action in inhibiting testosterone (3).

Will exercise reduce DHT?

Methods to reduce DHT levels typically include the use of DHT blockers. While more research is necessary, some anecdotal evidence suggests that dietary changes, such as including onions and pumpkin seeds, and lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, quitting smoking, and reducing stress, may help reduce DHT levels.

Previous article
What happens if you don't bathe for a month?
Next article
Is long or short hair better for heart shaped face?