Will steroids cause hair loss? What every man should know

We’ve all heard the jokes about anabolic steroids shrinking your goolies, but can they also cause hair loss?

The truth is that steroids don’t automatically trigger hair loss, despite what many have claimed, but there’s a link between anabolic steroid use and going bald that can’t be ignored.

Hair loss is a regular part of getting old for many of us, with 80% of men experiencing noticeable hair loss by age 70 [1]. Interestingly, we might be the Lucky Country, but not when it comes to keeping our hair, with 40.8% of Aussie blokes experiencing some degree of baldness, one of the highest rates in the world [2].

So, what’s all this got to do with using steroids in the pursuit of bodily perfection? Let’s go through the link.

How do steroids work in the body?

Steroids are legitimate medical treatments for a range of conditions. The problem is that these are prescription-only drugs often misused by athletes and bodybuilders to enhance athletic performance and increase lean muscle mass for aesthetic reasons.

When we refer to steroids, we’re mostly referring to Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS). These are manufactured forms of testosterone, which is the main androgen that develops male characteristics [3].

They can be injected, swallowed, or even applied as topicals. However you take them, the mechanism is that these artificial androgens activate your androgen receptors, essentially mimicking natural testosterone.

When used legitimately, they’re used for people with:

• Naturally low testosterone levels
• Muscular atrophy
• Treating estrogen (ER) positive breast cancer

Unfortunately, misuse is alarmingly common. One study found that non-medical anabolic steroid use tripled between 2001 and 2019 [4].

Since non-prescription anabolic steroids are illegal, it’s hard to tell precisely how many people are using them. One study found that 0.8% of Australians aged 14 and over have used steroids in the past 12 months [5]. Overall, 2% of 12-17 year olds have used some form of non-prescribed performance-enhancing drugs in their lives [6].

What’s the difference between steroids and anabolic steroids?

Anabolic steroids are one of two steroid types. General steroids are known as corticosteroids, and these are designed to reduce inflammation and immune system activity. They’re manufactured forms of cortisol, and they’re prescribed far more commonly than the anabolic version.

Corticosteroids may treat certain hair loss conditions. For example, alopecia areata hair loss, an autoimmune disease, may be treated with these steroids by lowering inflammation surrounding your hair follicles [7].

Understanding the connection between steroids and hair loss

Steroids do not cause thinning hair or loss automatically. However, if you already have a predisposition to certain forms of androgenetic alopecia, such as due to genetic factors, steroids may accelerate the process.

Will steroids cause hair loss?

The Australasian College of Dermatologists states that men who take anabolic steroids and their associated supplements may see an acceleration of baldness [8].

Interestingly, many men make the connection between steroids and going bald simply because of coincidence. It surprises many that hair loss usually doesn’t become noticeable until 50% of scalp hair has been shed [9].

If you’ve got good genetics and have no predisposition or risk factors for hair loss in the first place, the chances are you won’t lose your hair at all. The Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center has also found that it can work the other way. In a study involving steroids containing prednisone, a test subject acquired a condition called hirsutism, which is excessive or increased hair growth caused by testosterone [10].

Why can steroids cause hair loss?

Anabolic steroids are designed to mimic natural testosterone, but they’re not a perfect replication. The differences in their composition mean that these artificial steroids stimulate the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for androgenic alopecia, or male pattern hair loss.

Regular anabolic steroid use can cause excessive DHT production, and if DHT production is causing your hair loss already, you’ll start to notice areas of thinning. It’s why some people take hair loss treatment medications to counteract high DHT levels. 

Impact on the hair growth cycle

DHT alone isn’t the only reason why you might be going bald. Some people have high levels of DHT generally but don’t lose their hair. However, it remains one of the biggest causes of hair loss.

Its primary impact on the hair growth cycle is shortening the anagen, or active growth phase, by binding to androgen receptors on your hair follicles. Unfortunately, this transforms the overall hair cycle, including:

• Reducing the size of your hair follicles, leads to thinner, shorter individual hair strands.
• Extends the telogen, or resting phase, of the growth cycle, meaning you’re shedding more hair than you’re growing.
• Otherwise healthy hair follicles may enter dormancy, meaning they stop growing hair entirely.

Other factors that may contribute to hair loss while on steroids

Steroids can accelerate hair loss without being the primary cause. If you are taking steroids, other factors might also come into play. Here are three categories to focus on if you’re worried about losing your hair, or it’s already started. 

Genetics and male pattern baldness

Baldness is mainly influenced by your genes. Early studies estimated that 80% of male pattern baldness cases were caused by genetic factors [11, 12]. There is no specific baldness gene. Instead, it’s polygenetic, meaning a range of genetic variations influence baldness.

Researchers have discovered there are as many as 600 genetic risk variants, with another data set finding that these variants were responsible for 39% of male baldness cases [13]. Regardless of the exact figures, it’s clear that your genes are the leading factor in hair loss.

Stress, diet, or overtraining 

Poor diet and chronic stress have long been contributors to losing your hair. The problem is that many people taking steroids use that extra testosterone to go a bit nuts, pushing themselves to the limit.

Without proper recovery, there’s a risk of triggering telogen effluvium, a temporary hair loss condition. Add nutritional deficiencies, like vitamin D, iron, and fatty acids, and you’re suppressing new hair growth and increasing your risk of hair loss.

Poor supplement or cycle practices 

Hormonal imbalances are another problem, and it’s a big problem when men start stacking an enormous set of harsh compounds or not cycling properly in the first place. That includes post-cycle therapy (PCT).

When you’ve got steroid-induced hormonal imbalances, the rate of hair follicle miniaturisation caused by DHT spikes upwards, meaning you need a way to treat hormone imbalances to deal with the problem.

What are the symptoms of steroid-induced hair loss? 

Steroid-induced hair loss doesn’t have any special symptoms. The symptoms of steroid hair loss are precisely the same as male pattern baldness without steroids.

The most common symptoms include:

• Hair thinning around the crown and temples
• Receding hairline
• Increased shedding on your pillow/in the shower
• Visible scalp through your hair

How to identify abnormal shedding vs. male pattern loss

Male pattern loss is characterised by being progressive across the temples and crown, and usually slow. You’ll also notice that hair becomes shorter and finer. In contrast, abnormal shedding, such as that caused by telogen effluvium, may:

• Show even shedding across the head.
• Appear suddenly.
• Large clumps or patchy hair loss.
• Noticeable increase in shedding.
• Hairs are full-sized.

How to treat or reverse hair loss from steroid use

Can you prevent hair loss from steroids? The only solution to prevent steroid-related hair loss is to reduce or stop using steroids entirely. It’s impossible to keep using steroids while you’re losing your hair and expect something to change.

However, you might be able to slow hair loss and promote hair regrowth, such as by:

• Ensuring you eat a well-balanced diet filled with vitamins and minerals as part of a healthy lifestyle. Focus on those essential to hair health, including Vitamin A, C, and E. Include biotin, zinc, and iron in your diet.
• Avoid using harsh hair products.
• Stay away from tighter hairstyles, which can result in traction alopecia.
• Reduce stress in your life by taking up practices like yoga, meditation, or even going to therapy.
• Using a Hair Growth Shampoo and Conditioner

For getting your hair back and covering up those bald spots, there are solutions to stimulate hair growth. These may include minoxidil, found under brand names like Rogaine, or even Pilot’s hair loss treatment for hair restoration.

Advanced cases of hair loss are better served by treatments like hair transplants. These have high success rates and can replenish your hair when you’re experiencing significant bald patches. Note that hair transplants are the most expensive of all treatment options and are usually the option of last resort.

What to do if you’re experiencing hair loss from steroids 

The best way to counteract hair loss from steroids is to stop using steroids. Plus, non-medical anabolic steroid use is illegal anyway, so you’re already putting yourself at risk. From there, it’s time to explore the root cause of your hair loss problems and start thinking about targeted treatments.

Whether you’re looking at prescription medications or want to jump in on hair transplant surgery, your journey to treat hair loss starts with talking to a medical professional. Working with Pilot provides easy access to qualified Aussie doctors who can recommend proven hair loss treatments for you. Get in touch with a professional today, and let’s start seeing about getting your hair back. 

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions about hair loss from steroids? Here are some quick answers to help clear things up.

Does everyone lose hair on steroids?

No. Only individuals with a genetic predisposition to hair loss are likely to experience it. Others may not be affected at all.

Can hair loss from steroids be reversed?

In many cases, yes—especially if you stop steroids early and start treatment with hair regrowth products or medication.

Are legal testosterone boosters safer for hair?

Some over-the-counter boosters may have milder effects, but they can still impact DHT levels. Always consult a doctor before using them.

Does hair loss due to steroids grow back?

It can, but it depends on how long you’ve been using steroids and whether the hair follicles are still active. If the hair loss is caught early and you stop using steroids, there’s a chance for regrowth, but if the follicles have been damaged beyond repair, regrowth might be limited.

Can thinning hair grow back?

Yes—thinning hair can often grow back, especially if the cause is temporary, like stress, poor diet, or hormone imbalances. With the right treatments, lifestyle changes, and a bit of patience, it’s possible to thicken things back up. The earlier you act, the better your chances.

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