Does Creatine Cause Hair Loss? What the DHT Study Actually Found

Few supplement myths spread as fast as "creatine makes your hair fall out." It traces back to a single small study from 2009 — one that never measured hair at all. Here's the full story, and what happened when researchers finally did.

Written by Vita Globe Editorial Team | Reviewed against peer-reviewed research and ISSN guidance

Where did the creatine hair-loss idea come from?

In 2009, researchers in South Africa gave 20 college-aged rugby players either creatine or a placebo for three weeks (a one-week loading phase at 25 g/day, then 5 g/day). Blood levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) rose in the creatine group, and the ratio of DHT to testosterone increased^[1].

Because DHT is involved in male-pattern baldness, the internet connected the dots: creatine → more DHT → hair loss. But the study had important limits:

• It didn't measure hair loss, hair counts or follicles — only hormones.
• It was small, short and in one group of young male athletes.
• DHT levels stayed within the normal range^[1].
• No other study replicated the DHT increase for over a decade^[3].

What is DHT, and why does it matter for hair?

DHT is a hormone made from testosterone. In people who are genetically prone to androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss), hair follicles on the scalp are sensitive to DHT and gradually shrink over time. That's why DHT-blocking medications are used to treat pattern hair loss. But a hormone change in a blood test isn't the same as a change at the scalp — which is why a study that measures hair directly matters so much.

What did the 2025 hair-loss trial find?

In 2025, the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition published the first randomized controlled trial designed specifically to answer this question^[2]:

• Who: resistance-trained men aged 18–40 (38 completed the study)
• What: 5 g/day of creatine monohydrate or a placebo
• How long: 12 weeks
• What they measured: DHT, testosterone, the DHT-to-testosterone ratio, and hair itself — density, follicular unit counts and hair thickness, using clinical scalp imaging

The result: no significant differences between the creatine and placebo groups in DHT, the DHT-to-testosterone ratio, or any hair measure^[2]. The authors described it as strong evidence against the claim that creatine contributes to hair loss.

The honest summary

• The hair-loss claim came from one small hormone study that never measured hair^[1].
• The first trial that measured hair directly found no effect from 5 g/day over 12 weeks^[2].
• The ISSN lists hair loss among creatine misconceptions not supported by the evidence^[3].

What does the rest of the research say?

The ISSN's 2021 review of common creatine questions looked at the broader hormone research. Across studies measuring testosterone and related hormones, creatine didn't produce consistent changes, and the 2009 DHT finding stood alone^[3]. The review concluded that the current evidence does not show creatine causes hair loss or baldness.

What if you're already prone to hair loss?

Pattern hair loss is mostly driven by genetics and age, and it often starts in the same years people begin lifting — which can make creatine look guilty by timing alone. If you're already losing hair or have a strong family history:

• The current evidence doesn't suggest creatine will speed it up^[2].
• If you're still worried, a dermatologist can assess your hair loss and talk through treatment options.
• Taking the standard 3–5 g/day rather than high loading doses keeps you in line with how the latest trial was run.

Men asking about hair loss often have questions about testosterone, too — our guide to creatine for men at every age covers both.

Frequently asked questions

Does creatine increase DHT?

One 2009 study found a rise in DHT during loading^[1], but the 2025 randomized trial found no significant difference in DHT versus placebo at 5 g/day^[2].

Will my hair grow back if I stop creatine?

Since current evidence doesn't show creatine causes hair loss, stopping it isn't likely to change hair shedding. If you're noticing thinning, see a dermatologist to find the actual cause.

Does creatine cause hair loss in women?

There's no evidence it does. The hormone concern has focused on men, and research on women taking creatine hasn't identified hair loss as a side effect.

Does creatine raise testosterone?

Research doesn't show consistent changes in testosterone from creatine^[3]. In the 2025 trial, testosterone changes were similar in both groups^[2].

Sources

1. van der Merwe J, Brooks NE, Myburgh KH. Three weeks of creatine monohydrate supplementation affects dihydrotestosterone to testosterone ratio in college-aged rugby players. Clin J Sport Med. 2009;19(5):399–404. doi:10.1097/JSM.0b013e3181b8b52f
2. Lak M, et al. Does creatine cause hair loss? A 12-week randomized controlled trial. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2025;22(sup1):2495229. doi:10.1080/15502783.2025.2495229
3. Antonio J, Candow DG, Forbes SC, et al. Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show? J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2021;18:13. doi:10.1186/s12970-021-00412-w

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, under 18, have a kidney condition, or are taking medication.