We have heard so many urban legends about masturbation. At times, it gets hard to differentiate the myth from the truth. The ones about hairy palms, blindness, and weight loss are widely known. One of the recent additions to this myth is the link between hair fall and masturbation. While there are no scientific studies on this matter, you will find many Nofappers sharing that abstinence improved their hair growth and texture.
With so much information floating around, it is natural to wonder – does masturbation cause hair loss? And is there a link between masturbation and hair fall?
Let us answer this question for once and all by taking a deep dive into the myths and truths that talk about masturbation effects on hair.
What is Hair Loss?
Before we examine the myths and truths about does masturbation cause hair loss, let us understand what hair loss is.
Your hair follicle is a tube-like structure within the skin of the scalp. It encloses the shaft and the root of the hair strand. Each of these hair follicles goes through three distinct phases of the growth cycle, namely – anagen, catagen, and telogen.
Anagen – During this phase, the hair within the follicle grows at the rate of one centimeter per month. The anagen phase lasts for two to seven years.
Catagen – This is a two-week transitional phase. During the catagen phase, the hair detaches from the blood supply.
– This is the final inactive stage during which the hair is shed. It can take as long as four months for the follicle to begin to grow a new strand of hair.
Here are the six most common causes of hair loss –
Family history or hereditary factors have the most influence on hair loss for both men and women. Hereditary factors are the cause behind male pattern baldness (receding hairline and bald spot on top of head) and female pattern baldness (overall thinning of hair). And this genetic hair loss can not be reversed.
High levels of Stress can inhibit hair regrowth and result in temporary hair loss. Typically, 85% of your hair will be in anagen state of growth, and 15% will be in the telogen phase of hair loss. Stress can make 70% of your hair strands enter the telogen phase prematurely, accelerating hair loss.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause are the most likely reasons behind hair loss in women. Health conditions like Polycystic ovaries (PCOS and PCOD) can also make women lose hair.
Environmental factors such as air pollution can weaken your hair strands. Water pollution causes dryness and breakage of hair along with thinning of hair follicles. UV exposure can damage the proteins in your hair and the scalp. Other environmental factors, such as pesticides and heavy metals, are also linked to hair loss.
Poor lifestyle habits such as sleep deprivation, alcohol consumption, smoking, and nutrient deficiencies can cause hair loss.
Is there a Relationship Between Masturbation and Hair Loss?
Like most of the beliefs surrounding masturbation, the relationship between masturbation and hair loss has no evidence, it is a misconception that continues to persist.
Hair loss or hair fall is a natural part of growing older. As we age our body slows down and loses its efficiency of regenerating new hair strands. As a result, the growth cycle of hair is disrupted and you get hair fall.
The primary cause of hair loss is usually genetic or inherited. So, if you have a genetic predisposition, then your hair loss might start in your 20s itself. Having certain medical conditions such as Alopecia areata or undergoing hormone changes is also linked to risk of hair fall. Poor lifestyle habits can also accelerate hair loss.
But, there is no evidence that definitively links masturbation with hair loss. Then what gives rise to the question – does masturbation cause hair loss? Why do myths about hair loss due to masturbation persist?
The belief that masturbation causes hair loss arises from a couple of misinterpretations.
The first misinterpretation is about the effect of androgens, such as DHT, on hair fall.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the sex hormone that controls hair growth, including facial hair. In adult men, an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase (5-AR) converts about 10% of testosterone into DHT. Excessive DHT in your bloodstream can link with the receptors in your hair follicles and shrink them. Such hair follicles cannot support the healthy hair growth cycle. They prematurely enter the shedding or rest stage and spend a longer duration in the dormant phase.
Your risk of DHT-related hair loss depends on your genetics. If you have a hereditary susceptibility to the effects of DHT, then it will result in male-pattern and female-pattern hair loss.
A popular theory links masturbation with elevated levels of testosterone and DHT. Which in turn is believed to cause hair loss. However, multiple scientific studies have proved that there is no correlation between DHT levels with masturbation or sex.
The second misinterpretation regarding ‘does masturbation cause hair fall’ is about protein loss.
Many people believe that as sperm contains protein, by masturbation and ejaculation, you will end up losing protein. This protein loss is claimed to cause hair loss. So, by this logic, the more you masturbate and ejaculate, the higher will be your protein loss and hair loss.
But, the protein loss during ejaculation is too low – measured between 20 mg to 60 mg per millilitre. Considering that the sperm released during ejaculation is around 5 ml, the protein loss is too insignificant. It is a very tiny part of the dietary protein intake and is easily made up.
Now that we have debunked two myths let’s also look at two theories that try to answer the question: does masturbation cause hair fall?
The first theory is that masturbation causes hormone imbalances that result in hair loss.
Masturbation does cause hormonal changes in your body. Specifically, it releases oxytocin, the pleasure hormone. But the change is temporary, and your body returns to its normal state within the next few minutes. And, oxytocin levels are not significant enough to cause an imbalance.
The second theory – the relationship of Stress and anxiety with masturbation and hair loss
Masturbation is a taboo habit that is associated with guilt and shame. These negative feelings can cause Stress and anxiety in a habitual masturbator. Research has shown that there is a direct link between Stress and hair loss.
The hair follicle in your scalp is undergoing a constant growth and rest cycle. This natural growth cycle of the hair follicle is fuelled by the stem cells in the hair follicle. During the growth or anagen phase, these stem cells are activated to promote hair growth and regeneration.
During the resting phase, stem cells are dormant and do not regenerate any new tissue.
Elevated levels of corticosterone, a major stress hormone, can prevent the activation of the follicle stem cells. As a result, hair strands enter the rest phase prematurely and spend more time in the dormant phase. So, the rate of hair shedding will accelerate while the rate of hair growth will deteriorate. This imbalance will cause hair loss.
So, if your masturbation habit is causing you stress and anxiety, then you might be at risk of hair loss.
Myths About Hair Loss and Masturbation
Even though there is no scientific evidence, myths about hair loss and masturbation are a continued topic of discussion. Particularly, two myths or theories are popularly used to link hair loss and masturbation –
Myth #1 – Masturbation causes hair loss by increasing Testosterone production
DHT, or Dihydrotestosterone, is the sex hormone that is linked to hair loss by shrinking hair follicles. The DHT is a byproduct of the hormone testosterone, and high levels of Dihydrotestosterone can overstimulate the hair follicles. As a result, the hair follicles shrink to produce thinner and finer hair. DHT also shortens the hair growth cycle as it disproportionately increases the rate of hair shedding in comparison to hair regeneration.
DHT-linked hair loss is more likely to affect people who have a genetic disposition for male pattern baldness. Some women might also experience sensitivity to DHT during menopause.
The myth about masturbation says that masturbation increases the production of the hormone testosterone. However, research has shown that the rise in testosterone levels post masturbation is temporary and not significant enough to affect your DHT levels.
Another key consideration is the link between ejaculation and hair loss. If ejaculation itself was linked to hair loss, then all sexual activity should also lead to hair loss. But there is no evidence of this link.
So, the assumption that an increase in testosterone and DHT caused by masturbation results in hair loss is a myth.
Myth #2 – Masturbation causes protein loss, which results in hair loss
The second myth is based on the fact that protein deficiency affects hair loss. Since semen contains protein, masturbation and ejaculation result in loss of protein, which causes hair fall. As logical as it sounds, the protein loss during ejaculation and masturbation is not significant enough to cause hair loss.
To get into the specifics, the protein content in the semen ranges from 20 to 60 mg per milliliter. Every time a man ejaculates after sex or masturbation, he releases approximately 5 ml of semen. Even if we assume that the protein content of the semen is at the higher end at 60 mg, that amounts to a loss of 300 mg of protein per ejaculation.
A boiled egg contains 6 gms of protein. The typical daily diet of a man is supposed to contain 55 gm of protein. So, a 300 mg protein loss can be easily made up for with a quick snack and a nutritious diet.
So, the link between protein loss during masturbation and hair loss is a myth.
Does excessive masturbation cause hair loss?
No. There is no scientific evidence to show that excessive masturbation causes hair loss. Your hair fall is most likely due to other genetic and environmental factors rather than excessive masturbation.
There are popular online theories that link testosterone or DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) hormone production to hair loss. Some people do have genetic sensitivity to DHT – a form of testosterone hormone. Such individual’s hair follicles will shrink when they have elevated levels of DHT hormone. The shrinking of the follicles inhibits the growth of new hair and disrupts the hair growth cycle.
Hormone testosterone and DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) are male sex hormones responsible for hair growth and health. But, there is no evidence or research that shows a link between masturbation and testosterone levels.
Does Masturbation Affect Facial Hair Growth?
There is no medical evidence that links masturbation with the growth or loss of facial hair growth.
This myth might have its origins in the general belief that masturbation causes hair loss. There is also a popular theory in online forums that an increase in testosterone levels from not masturbating can boost facial hair growth.
Facial hair growth is affected by genetic factors where you have a hereditary predisposition for sparse beard. Autoimmune conditions such as alopecia barbae can cause smooth and round patches of hair loss in your beard.
The DHT hormone has a direct influence on beard hair growth. So, if you have lower levels of DHT, your facial hair growth may be affected.
Can Masturbation Help With Hair Growth?
Masturbation does not influence hair growth, just as it has no power over hair loss. There is no medical study that has found that masturbation has an impact on hair growth or hair density.
Any improvements in hair growth that you notice most likely have hormonal, lifestyle, and environmental causes rather than masturbation habits or abstinence.
You can support healthy hair growth cycles by eating a nutritious diet. Add protein, healthy fats, Vitamins (B) and mineral (Iron and Zinc) rich foods into your diet. You can also try scalp massages to stimulate blood flow and supplements for Biotin and folic acid.
FAQs on Does Masturbation Cause Hair Loss?
1. Does masturbation cause hair loss in women?
No. Masturbation does not cause hair loss in women.
If you are noticing hair loss, then it is most likely coincidental to your masturbatory habit and not caused by it. The common culprits behind hair loss in women are – genetic factors, hormonal changes (pregnancy, childbirth, menopause), and Stress. Medical conditions such as alopecia might also be the cause of hair loss in women.
2. Does ejaculation cause baldness?
There is no connection between ejaculation and baldness. This common misconception might have its roots in the belief about loss of testosterone during ejaculation. As the hormone testosterone is linked to hair growth, it is normal to assume that its loss due to ejaculation leads to hair loss and baldness.
Another unsubstantiated theory linked protein loss due to ejaculation of semen with hair loss. But, the protein loss during ejaculation is too small to cause any deficiency or affect hair growth.
But, there is no evidence to confirm either of these theories. Baldness, specifically male pattern baldness, is caused mostly by genetic or hereditary factors.
3. Can overthinking cause hair fall?
Overthinking on its own can not cause hair fall. But, if your overthinking is a symptom of an underlying mental health issue such as chronic Stress or anxiety, then it might influence your hair fall.
Stress makes your hair strands prematurely enter the telogen phase of hair shedding. In stress-induced hair fall, hair loss is noticed on the top of your head. You will also notice the hair strands falling out while shampooing or combing. It is also common to find hair strands on your clothes and pillow.
The hair loss resulting from Stress is reversible, and your hair can grow back within six to nine months. Taking up yoga can improve blood circulation to your scalp and also relieve Stress to boost hair growth.
¿Luchas contra la adicción al porno? Descarga blockp en tu dispositivo y bloquea el contenido adulto al instante.
