Hair Loss & Infertility – Are They Connected?

You might be thinking, how hair loss signifies infertility. Although, a certain amount of hair loss is normal, like 100 stains a day. But waking up with a pillow covered with hair, a bathroom filled with hair, or your hair brush covered with it, then it is not normal. There are a number of reasons behind it, but do you know, that infertility also shows signs of hair loss? 

Let’s deep dive into the article and learn how hair and infertility are connected. 

Role of hormonal imbalance

Hormones like estrogen, androgen, thyroid hormones, testosterone, etc., all are connected with the functions of the body. Hair loss clearly gives signs of hormonal imbalance. Because of this fluctuation, your hair follicles’ health and lifespan are dependent. Here are some of the key points that help you know the causes leading to hair loss/ infertility-

1. PCOS- PCOS is a sign of elevated androgens in the body. Apart from these issues, androgen also signifies different issues in the body like ovarian tumors, insulin resistance, and chronic stress. Due to the overproduction of these hormones, females experience male-pattern baldness. It also indicates the issues in the menstrual cycle. That, you should know how to improve fertility in women with PCOS. 
2. Androgenetic alopecia– due to androgenic alopecia, which describes the hair loss pattern in females, started to develop excess androgens like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. Due to this, estrogen levels drop, and due to high androgen receptors, hair follicles’ lifespan shortens, leading to the miniaturization of hairs.  

Not only in women, due to hormonal imbalances in men also contributed to infertility and baldness. a Turkish study found that men under 30 who have severe androgenetic alopecia are dealing with low sperm count. 

3. Thyroid- it is one of the biggest common reasons behind hair loss and infertility. Hair loss is a sign of a loss of thyroid hormones which is also accompanied by weight gain, constipation, reduced sperm production in men, and fatigue. According to NIH, in India, almost 20% to 50% of infertile women are dealing with hypothyroidism. 
4. Body mechanism- due to reduced estrogen and progesterone (which are essential for the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and hair growth cycle), male hormones increase which impact hair growth. Also, disrupts the menstrual cycle, hinders the uterine lining, is unable to support fertilized eggs, imbalance ovulation, leads to irregular periods, creates difficulty in pregnancy, and increases the risk of miscarriage. 

A study was conducted on women, where healthcare professionals found female pattern hair loss (GPHL) in most of the women, and out of that, 38% of women were diagnosed with PCOS. PCOS indicates the elevated production of androgens. Due to increased levels of androgens, the hair follicles become very sensitive which disrupts the hair growth cycle, leading to weak hair strands, hair thinning, and loss.

The connection between hair loss, infertility, and stress

We all know that chronic stress significantly increases the risk of hormonal imbalance leading to hair loss and infertility. First, due to stress, your body starts to produce more level of cortisol levels which causes disruption in estrogen and progesterone in women and testosterone in men. This causes issues in natural hair growth and makes them enter into a prolonged resting phase (prevent further growth). It also hinders the ability of hair strands to grow. On the other side, it creates interference in the hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal axis. Due to this, the body goes to a survival mechanism, making irregular periods. In men, it impacts sperm motility. 

Impact of medications

There are some medications that also impact reproductive health and lead to hair loss. 

• Birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy are the leading cause of infertility and hair loss. These majorly create hormonal balance. 
• Testosterone therapy has androgenetic properties, and this contributes to baldness.
• Blood pressure medications are high on calcium channel blockers which reduces sperm count. 
• Cholesterol drugs and antidepressants significantly create hormonal imbalances and also have simvastatin and atorvastatin which contribute to hair loss. 
• There are other medications also, which is why, it is advised to consult an expert rather than taking over-the-counter medications.

Early signs of issues with fertility

There are some significant signs that you should not avoid. Here is the list- 

• Changes in hair texture- you will start noticing brittle, dry hair and it may break easily. This indicates a sign of hormonal imbalance or thyroid issues. 
• Sudden weight gain due to thyroid, or PCOS, unexplainable weight gain happens. 
• Dry scalp- due to thyroid hormones, most women face issues with dry scalp. 
• Irregular periods- this directly impacts hair growth as well as ovulation. 
• Receding hairline- sometimes women with PCOS experience receding hairline issues. 

End Note

After connecting all the dots, it can be said that, not directly, but yes hair loss is a sign of infertility. Sometimes, we tend to avoid issues, but not anymore. If you are experiencing issues with reproductive health or unexplainable hair loss, then it is a sign that you should consult a specialist. Aveya Fertility Center is one of the best fertility centers that is guiding a number of people toward a healthy family.

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Arzoo Chadha