Are Bald Men more Masculine?
Are Bald Men more Masculine?
For centuries, the connection between testosterone and hair loss has been misunderstood and clouded by myths. One of the most persistent misconceptions is that higher testosterone levels are directly responsible for baldness. The visual association of muscular, bald celebrities such as Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson or Bruce Willis proudly embracing their bald heads has only reinforced this idea. However, the relationship between testosterone and hair loss is far more nuanced than the simple equation of "less hair must mean more testosterone."
The widespread belief that bald men have elevated testosterone levels, which supposedly contributes to both their hair loss and heightened virility, is a myth that dates back to ancient times. Notably, thinkers like Hippocrates and Aristotle observed that castrated men - who no longer produced testosterone - did not lose their hair. This early observation was later reinforced in the 20th century when Yale researcher James B. Hamilton found that men who had been castrated before the onset of male pattern baldness (MPB) did not go bald, suggesting a connection between testosterone and hair loss.
However, as science has progressed, the idea that testosterone alone causes baldness has been debunked. Modern research shows that baldness is not a direct result of high testosterone levels. In fact, men with high testosterone can maintain full heads of hair, while men with lower testosterone can experience significant hair loss. The real factor at play is a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a byproduct of testosterone. The sensitivity of hair follicles to DHT, rather than the amount of testosterone in the body, determines whether a person will experience hair loss.
DHT is central to the development of both male pattern baldness, which is scientifically known as androgenetic alopecia. This type of hair loss occurs when hair follicles are genetically predisposed to be more sensitive to DHT. As DHT binds to these susceptible follicles, it gradually causes them to shrink. Over time, the hair becomes finer, shorter, and weaker until, eventually, the follicles stop growing hair altogether.
Interestingly, it’s not just the amount of testosterone that matters but how effectively the body converts testosterone into DHT. Some men with normal or even low levels of testosterone may still go bald because their hair follicles are more sensitive to the effects of DHT. Therefore, baldness is primarily a genetic issue rather than a reflection of how much testosterone a man has in his system.
However, DHT does not affect all hair follicles equally. While scalp hair follicles may be highly sensitive to DHT and thus prone to balding, other hair follicles, such as those responsible for facial hair, can remain unaffected. This is why many men continue to grow beards even as they lose hair on the top of their heads.
Despite the association between testosterone, DHT, and hair loss, the long standing stereotype linking baldness to heightened virility is also unsupported by science. A study published in the Medical Journal of Australia examined the relationship between sexual activity and baldness, finding no significant link between the two. In fact, the study revealed that bald men were less likely to report having had more than four sexual partners over the course of their lives compared to their counterparts with fuller heads of hair. This finding puts to rest the popular belief that bald men are more masculine or sexually active due to higher testosterone levels.
Beyond its impact on hair loss, DHT plays a significant role in other health conditions. Research has uncovered links between baldness, particularly baldness affecting the crown of the head (known as vertex baldness), and a heightened risk of prostate cancer and heart disease. According to a report from Harvard Medical School, men with vertex baldness have a 1.5 times greater risk of developing prostate cancer compared to those without bald spots. These findings suggest that the effects of DHT go beyond the scalp, potentially affecting broader aspects of men’s health.
Ultimately, baldness is not a marker of higher testosterone or greater masculinity, but rather a genetic lottery that determines how sensitive a person’s hair follicles are to DHT. While society may continue to associate baldness with masculinity and virility, science tells a different, more complex story—one that offers hope for understanding and treating hair loss more effectively.Though it may be disheartening to realise that genetics play such a significant role in baldness, there is still hope for those experiencing hair loss. Treatments are available that can help slow down, stop, or even reverse the effects of DHT on hair follicles, offering options for those seeking to regain control over their appearance.
References:
Medical Journal of Australia
bbc.com