Creatine and Hair Loss: The DHT Claim Checked
Where the creatine and hair loss claim came from, what a small 2009 hormone study and a 2025 trial measured, and what neither can show about balding.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Claim check at a glance
| Claim | What the sources found | Plain verdict |
|---|---|---|
| "Creatine raises DHT" | One 2009 study said yes. [2] A 2025 trial found no difference in DHT. [3] | Mixed |
| "Creatine causes hair loss or balding" | A 2021 review said no study had reported hair loss or baldness in humans. [1] A 2025 trial measuring hair found no difference from placebo. [3] | Not shown in the trials we read; not ruled out for everyone |
| Women, older adults, long-term use | Proper evidence not found. Our PubMed search for creatine with hair loss and DHT returned a single trial of creatine and hair follicle health. | Insufficient evidence |
Where the claim came from
In the 2009 study, 20 college-age rugby players took part in a double-blind crossover study with a 6-week break between phases. [2] They had a 7-day loading phase (25 g a day with glucose) and then 14 days at a lower amount, or placebo. [2] Blood tests measured testosterone and DHT. [2] Testosterone did not change, but DHT rose 56% after loading and stayed 40% above baseline after the lower amount. [2] The authors called for further investigation. [2]The abstract we read reports hormone and body composition results and does not mention hair. Any link to balding is an inference from the hormone result.
Why DHT matters, and why one study is not enough
DHT is made from testosterone by an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. [1] In men, DHT can bind to androgen receptors in susceptible hair follicles and cause them to shrink. [1] That is the reason a rise in DHT sounded worrying.A 2021 review of common creatine questions then made several points:
- The 2009 results had not been replicated. [1]
- The DHT and DHT-to-testosterone changes stayed well within normal clinical limits. [1]
- Twelve other studies had looked at testosterone, and ten of them found no change. [1]
- No study had reported hair loss or baldness in humans. [1]
The review's authors declare creatine-industry funding or advisory roles, so weigh it as one view. [1]
The 2025 trial
| Detail | What was reported |
|---|---|
| Who | 45 resistance-trained men aged 18 to 40; 38 completed the study [3] |
| Amount and length | Creatine monohydrate (5 g a day) or 5 g of placebo a day for 12 weeks [3] |
| What was measured | Testosterone, free testosterone and DHT in blood; hair follicle health by the trichogram test and a photographic hair analysis system [3] |
| Result | No significant differences in DHT, DHT-to-testosterone ratio or hair growth measures between creatine and placebo [3] |
The authors said they were the first to measure hair follicle health directly after creatine, and they concluded the result argues strongly against the claim. [3] Several authors declare ties to creatine or supplement companies, including research funding from sports nutrition companies. [3]
What these studies cannot tell you
- Small and narrow. Neither study was large, and both enrolled men only.
- Short. A 12-week trial cannot speak to years of use.
- Susceptibility not described. Whether the men were prone to inherited pattern hair loss was not described in the abstracts we read.
- Hormones are not hair. Only the 2025 trial measured hair itself.
If you are losing hair
Hair loss has several causes, and patchy or sudden loss needs a clinician. See pattern hair loss, hair shedding and thinning and skin and hair safety: when to see a doctor. Do not stop a medicine your prescriber gave you because of something read online.Frequently asked questions
Does creatine cause hair loss?
We found no study showing it does. A 12-week trial in 38 men finishing the study found no difference in DHT or hair measures from placebo. [3]
Does creatine raise DHT?
One small 2009 study found it did. [2] A 2025 trial did not. [3]
Should I avoid creatine if hair loss runs in my family?
The sources we read did not describe people with a family history. Proper evidence not found. Ask a clinician if you are concerned.
Does creatine affect hair in women?
Proper evidence not found. Both studies we read enrolled men.
What should I do if I notice shedding?
See a clinician if it is sudden, patchy or heavy. Many causes are unrelated to supplements.
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety and who should ask first
- Hair-loss or hormone medicines. The sources we read gave no interaction list for creatine. Proper evidence not found. Ask a pharmacist, and see medication interactions.
- Kidneys. Creatine can raise the blood test creatinine without necessarily meaning kidney function has fallen. [1] See creatine, kidney questions and creatinine testing.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. A 2021 review noted no human studies of creatine in pregnancy. [1]
- Product quality. See quality testing and certifications and contamination and banned substances in sport supplements.
Other claims are checked on creatine myths and misconceptions, and the overview is at creatine.
References
- Antonio J, Candow DG, Forbes SC, et al. Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show? J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2021 (full text read via PMC7871530; several authors declare creatine-industry funding or advisory roles). Read 2026-10-22.
- van der Merwe J, Brooks NE, Myburgh KH. Three weeks of creatine monohydrate supplementation affects dihydrotestosterone to testosterone ratio in college-aged rugby players. Clin J Sport Med 2009 (abstract read). Read 2026-10-22.
- Lak M, Forbes SC, Ashtary-Larky D, et al. Does creatine cause hair loss? A 12-week randomized controlled trial. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2025 (abstract read; several authors declare ties to creatine or supplement companies). Read 2026-10-22.