A new study demonstrated that two experimental male contraceptive pills could reduce testosterone levels without causing “unacceptable side effects.” Since testosterone is a significant driver of hair loss, could these pills have a role in treating male baldness?
Introducing the Male Contraceptive Pill
According to the study, 75% of men in the trial who took the pill said they would be comfortable using it. This is a significant improvement from the feedback to previous versions of the male contraceptive pill, where most participants would feel like the side effects are too adverse for them to use it regularly.
In another study, the pills were also shown to be 99% effective in preventing pregnancy in mice. This is solid evidence that they work well in lowering testosterone levels. It’s important to mention that the pill may not behave the same in human clinical trials because, as Hodge et al. demonstrated in a recent study, the same genes in humans and mice behave differently. This means more research is needed, but whatever results we have now seem promising.
More Than Birth Control: Potential Antidote to Hair Loss
Although the primary purpose of the pill is to prevent pregnancy, given that it works by bringing down testosterone levels, it could potentially be used to venture into other uses, such as Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) prevention. Suppose the studies that led to the development of the male contraceptive pill were to be used as a pilot study for androgenic alopecia treatment research. In that case, it could prove promising, given the mechanisms of MPB.
From Testosterone to DHT
DHT is an androgen hormone responsible for developing male sex characteristics such as facial hair and deepening of the voice. It is also implicated in some forms of male pattern baldness, as DHT receptors are also found in the scalp.
DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is converted from testosterone when the enzyme 5-alpha reductase (5AR) converts free testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The process of producing the hormone is known as 5 alpha reduction.
Why The Pill Could Work
Given that DHT plays a crucial role in male pattern baldness, one way to prevent hair loss is to target how much DHT is created in the body. Lowering testosterone levels decreases the amount of DHT circulating in the body, reducing its effect and the risk of MPB.
As already discussed, the male contraceptive pill does bring down testosterone levels in the body, as shown by the effective pregnancy risk reduction. Since DHT is converted from testosterone, less testosterone in the bloodstream means less DHT floating around near the receptors in the scalp.
Things to Consider
Although the results of this trial portray a very optimistic picture, it’s worth noting that at 96 participants, the trial size was too small to make any solid conclusions. Some of the 96 were in the control group and were given the placebo. This further reduces the number of participants who took the birth control pill. Naturally, a clinical trial with a bigger sample size would be needed for the results to be more conclusive.
Another consideration is that one of the tests conducted was done in mice. This is the one that yielded the impressive results of 99% effective prevention of pregnancy. As we briefly touched on this above, although many genes are the same in humans and mice, those genes behave differently in the two species. It’s easy to get blinded by the 99% effectiveness statistics, but it’s crucial to understand where and how those statistics come from. Based on the study by Hodge et al., the high gene expression divergence score confirms that it’s better to study new drugs affecting species-specific mechanisms directly in humans.
Something that can’t be overlooked is the importance of healthy testosterone levels in men. Low testosterone levels can lead to various negative consequences, including decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, low muscle mass, increased body fat, decreased bone density, and decreased energy levels. It can also cause depression, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Additionally, low testosterone levels put men at an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other health issues. Addressing low testosterone levels is vital to maintaining physical and mental health.
In the Meantime…
While the studies on the male control pill show promising effectiveness in reducing testosterone levels, it will be a while until the pill is on the market. Even further research and trials will be required to extend the scope of the pill usage to hair loss. So what are some other alternatives in the meantime?
FDA-Approved Drugs
Finasteride, an FDA-approved drug targets MPB by blocking the enzyme 5AR, thus, inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). However, the drug has severe side effects in men, such as erectile dysfunction, depression, loss of libido, anxiety, brain fog, and more. For women, it’s not even approved and is forbidden to be prescribed to pregnant women.
Another FDA-approved drug for hair loss is Minoxidil. This drug works by inhibiting the effects of androgen hormones on the hair follicles to stop hair loss and by stimulating the follicles to prompt new hair growth. But Minoxdidl doesn’t come free of adverse effects either. Some unwanted effects of the drug include skin irritation, pruritus, and telogen effluvium (TE).
Botanical Alternatives
Another way to improve scalp and hair health is using well-researched botanical products. Botanical hair and scalp treatments can be very beneficial for several reasons. They often contain natural ingredients packed with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that can help nourish and revitalize the hair and scalp. Botanical treatments can help promote hair growth, reduce hair loss, and improve the overall health and condition of the hair. In addition, many botanical ingredients have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that can help calm and soothe an irritated scalp, which can help reduce dandruff and other scalp-related issues. Botanical hair and scalp treatments can help you achieve healthier, more vibrant hair and improve overall health.
Some commercial products, such as Aveda and Gashee, use those botanical ingredients to maximize hair health without the side effect profile that comes with drugs. Gashee products, for instance, comprise plant-based ingredients such as green tea, aloe vera, horsetail, and rosemary oil. These ingredients have been known to improve hair strength, reduce breakage, and promote healthy hair growth. Green tea, for instance, contains catechin, antioxidants that reduce inflammation in the scalp – one of the main reasons for hair loss. The best part is, by using a product like Gashee, you get all the benefits of the natural ingredients without any adverse side effects of drugs such as Finasteride or Minoxidil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the use of the male birth control pill cause erectile issues?
The pill is not on the market yet, so it’s hard to tell. The trial participants did say they did not experience any adverse side effects that would make them uncomfortable using the pill regularly. It’s good to keep in mind that low testosterone levels are unlikely to come without consequences.
Can I improve my hair health and reduce hair loss without lowering my testosterone levels?
Ensuring your scalp is healthy, your hair follicles are nourished and protected, and your hair strands are strong and moisturized are all good places to start improving hair health. You can use well-researched and tested botanicals to achieve those goals.
References
- Endocrine Society. Dimethandrolone undecanoate shows promise as a male birth control pill. Endocrine Society. https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2018/dimethandrolone-undecanoate-shows-promise-as-a-male-birth-control-pill. Published November 15, 2019. Accessed March 18, 2023.
- Endocrine Society. Male contraceptive pills show promise in new study. Endocrine Society. https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2022/male-contraceptive-pills-show-promise-in-new-study. Published June 22, 2022. Accessed March 18, 2023.
- Hodge RD, Bakken TE, Miller JA, et al. Conserved cell types with divergent features in human versus Mouse Cortex. Nature. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6919571/. Published September 2019. Accessed March 18, 2023.
- Puckering E. New study shows huge breakthrough in male contraceptive pill. LADbible. https://www.ladbible.com/news/new-study-male-contraceptive-pill-20220903. Published September 3, 2022. Accessed March 18, 2023.
Further Reading
https://dru.com/9-reddit-users-on-what-happens-when-youre-balding-at-20/
