Steroids, creatine and which sports supplements cause hair loss?

Because so many articles have been published in various magazines and websites about the side effects of steroids, almost all athletes are aware of the side effects of steroids and any medication that alters the body's hormonal system. Side effects such as hair loss and impotence.

New research shows that in addition to steroids, some legal exercise supplements, such as creatine, may cause hair loss in men, which we will examine in more detail in this article.

Creatine Supplements

Creatine is one of the most popular and widely used sports supplements, especially in the field of bodybuilding. There has been a lot of research on creatine and its positive effects on increasing muscle mass, endurance and energy, some of which are due to increased testosterone levels. Is the body.

Creatine is found naturally in some high-protein foods, such as red meat and fish. Creatine is converted in the body to creatine phosphate, which helps produce a substance called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Adenosine triphosphate provides the energy needed by the muscles and cells of the body, so taking creatine supplements increases the strength and physical strength of athletes.


A series of studies show that on average, creatine use increases testosterone by 22% and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by 56%. Increasing this amount of testosterone naturally has benefits for athletes, but the case is different for the hormone dihydrotestosterone, which is a strong androgen.

What is the effect of dihydrotestosterone on the body?

In all men, some of the hormone testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone during a chemical reaction, which is normal, also called free or destructive form of testosterone dihydrotestosterone.

As a general rule, the rate of this conversion increases with age. When DHT levels become too normal, it causes enlargement and inflammation in the prostate gland in the elderly and hair loss in the young.

This type of hair loss is called male pattern hair loss, in which the hair begins to recede from the forehead and temples.


The effect of creatine on increasing the hormone dihydrotestosterone

A 2009 study of 100 professional rugby athletes. These athletes were given 25 grams of creatine daily for the first 7 days, which is called the loading period, and then 5 grams of creatine daily for 14 days.

After the seventh day, the level of DHT was measured through blood tests in these people and the researchers saw an increase of up to 56%. This test was performed after the fourteenth day and still showed that the level of DHT is up to 40% higher than before in these people.

Also, the ratio of dihydrotestosterone to testosterone increased by an average of 36% after the seventh day and by 22% after the fourteenth day.

According to the above research, it can be concluded that long-term use of creatine can cause hair loss in athletes.

Be sure to read: Did you know that more than 70% of people suffer from vitamin D deficiency and are unaware of it?

Should not creatine supplements be used?

If you or your family have a history of hair loss and prostate problems, it is recommended that you remove creatine from your list of supplements, otherwise taking 3 to 4 one-month periods a year is unobstructed for most athletes.

Also, do not take it if you have liver, kidney, or cardiovascular problems or if you have seen an increase in creatinine in your blood tests.

To reduce possible side effects, if not necessary, skip the loading period, which is usually 25 grams in the first 7 days, and keep the dose between 3 to 5 grams per day.

It is recommended not to use creatine continuously. Usually, this supplement is used for one month and it is stopped for 2 to 3 weeks and if necessary, the course is repeated.

Be sure to drink enough water during the creatine intake period during the day. Excess creatine is excreted through the kidneys and urine.

Always buy reputable brands.