Creatine and Hair Loss: Sorting Anecdote from Evidence on DHT

The hair loss question is the single greatest point of anxiety surrounding creatine. On one side, you have fitness experts and scientists who correctly state that the link is scientifically weak, resting almost entirely on a single, flawed 2009 study that didn't even measure actual hair loss. On the other side, you have a massive, undeniable wave of anecdotal reports from users who are adamant that creatine accelerated their hair loss, caused thinning, or created bald patches many of whom report the issue resolved after they stopped. The disconnect is a classic battle of "weak data vs. strong anecdote." This leaves potential users, especially those with a family history of baldness, trapped between expert reassurance and a chorus of cautionary tales from the community.

The core concern is triggering or accelerating irreversible male pattern baldness. For many, hair is a crucial part of their identity and confidence. The idea of trading a full head of hair for a 5-15% strength boost in the gym feels like a terrible bargain. The fear is not just that creatine will cause hair loss, but that it will speed up a genetic timeline they can't reverse. This anxiety is amplified because the proposed mechanism an increase in Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is scientifically plausible, even if the direct link to hair loss from creatine remains unproven.

The direct scientific evidence linking creatine to hair loss is extremely weak and inconclusive. However, the volume of anecdotal reports is significant enough that if you are genetically predisposed to male pattern baldness and highly concerned about your hair, you should approach creatine with caution, monitor yourself closely, or consider forgoing it.

This is one of the most contentiously handled topics, with creators ranging from dismissive to providing controversial solutions.

• Jeff Nippard: Jeff provides a detailed breakdown of the 2009 rugby player study, correctly noting it found an increase in DHT but did not find any actual hair loss. He mentions that weight training alone can raise DHT and that the effect may only apply to men with a genetic predisposition. However, he then creates a massive controversy by suggesting one could consider stacking creatine with finasteride, a prescription hair loss drug, and features a sponsorship from Hims, a company that sells it. This was seen by many viewers as creating a problem and selling the solution, and they heavily criticized him for irresponsibly recommending a drug with serious potential side effects like depression and sexual dysfunction.
• ATHLEAN-X (Jeff Cavaliere): Jeff also dissects the same 2009 study, emphasizing that correlation does not equal causation and that the fear likely stems from confusing creatine with steroids. He attributes any potential link to "bad genetics" passed on from parents, effectively framing it as a predisposition issue rather than a direct side effect of the supplement itself. His coverage is reassuring but less detailed on the mechanism than Nippard's.
• Renaissance Periodization (Dr. Mike Israetel): His video completely fails to address the hair loss myth, which is a major omission given it's one of the audience's top concerns. The comment section is filled with viewers asking about DHT and hair loss, showing a clear demand for his expert opinion that went unmet.
• Jeremy Ethier: The video does not cover hair loss, but the raw comments show it's a significant concern for his audience. One user notes that while creatine increases DHT, the levels are usually within the normal range.
• Myprotein & Dr. Sten Ekberg: Both videos are silent on the hair loss topic. This is a critical gap, as their comment sections are inundated with questions from worried viewers trying to assess the risk.

• "it caused me alot oh hairfall..i am just 21 year old with a perfect hairline but this shii just started hairfall and facial bloating".
• "I noticed my hair started thinning after starting taking creatine, and a couple of months after I stopped taking it, it got thicker again".
• "Love creatine but it gave me a bald patch. It's grown back now since I've stopped taking creatine.".
• "I was taking creatine for a year everyday... my hair loss accelerated, where I could easily see my scalp through the hair... I stopped taking it... and my hair looks the same, I would say a bit better, but still thin.".
• "if someone can help me with this its would be very helpful: i want to take creatine to increase muscle growth but im afraid that hair loss wil\l come way early then it should be(pretty much all men in my family above 35 is bald) so should i take it or not?".
• "I just wasted my money buying creatine... after reading hundreds of testimonies on the Internet I am convinced that it causes hair loss on subjects that are prone to MPB, like myself who's already thinning.".

Perform a personal risk assessment. Look at the men in your immediate family (father, grandfathers, uncles). If male pattern baldness is prevalent, your genetic predisposition is higher. You must then decide if the potential though unproven risk of accelerating hair loss is worth the proven benefits of creatine for your performance goals.

• Mistake: Believing creatine is a direct cause of hair loss for everyone.
  Fix: Understand that the proposed mechanism only affects those with a genetic sensitivity to DHT. If you have no family history of baldness, your risk is extremely low.
• Mistake: Panicking and immediately jumping to prescription drugs like finasteride.
  Fix: Never start a prescription medication without consulting a doctor. Be aware that drugs like finasteride have their own significant side effects that must be carefully considered.
• Mistake: Ignoring your own body's signals because "the science is weak."
  Fix: While the clinical evidence is lacking, your personal experience is valid. If you are convinced creatine is negatively affecting your hair, the most logical step is to stop taking it.

The link between creatine and hair loss is the biggest "myth" that refuses to die, primarily because while the scientific evidence is thin, the anecdotal evidence is substantial and consistent. The most responsible conclusion is that creatine does not cause hair loss, but for individuals with a strong genetic predisposition to male pattern baldness, it may accelerate it by increasing DHT levels. If you are not genetically prone to hair loss, you have very little to worry about. If you are, you must weigh the well-documented performance benefits against a plausible but unproven risk to your hairline.