Does Masturbation Cause Hair Loss?

As a kid, you may have heard masturbation myths like masturbation causes blindness or masturbation can make hair grow on your palms. Wondering if any of them hold true? Does masturbation cause hair loss? Can it lead to a receding hairline or make you go bald?

There’s absolutely no scientific evidence that links masturbation to male pattern baldness. And there’s no proven relationship between the amount of sex you have and the thickness, density, or overall health of your hair. 

Below, we’ll take a deeper look at some of the claims that say masturbation causes hair loss and debunk this myth once and for all.

We’ll also explain the reality of hair loss in men and outline the most effective options for slowing down, stopping, and reversing male pattern baldness.

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a male sex hormone responsible for male pattern baldness.

In men genetically prone to male pattern baldness, DHT can bind to hormone receptors throughout the scalp and cause hair follicles around your hairline and crown to miniaturize. 

Over time, this causes thinning and noticeable hair loss.

We’ve discussed the effects of DHT on your scalp and hair in greater detail in our guide to DHT and male pattern baldness.

Some people claim masturbation causes hair loss because it triggers the release of hormones like DHT. 

The reality? 

Masturbation has no impact on how much DHT or other male sex hormones your body produces.

What Science Says

Several studies show that sexual activity — whether masturbation or sex — has no measurable effect on testosterone or DHT production.

One study compared testosterone levels in men with normal sexual function to those with sexual dysfunction under identical conditions.

Researchers found that both groups of men had similar levels of testosterone, with no significant difference in levels between them.

Another study compared men with normal sexual activity levels to men who deliberately avoided engaging in sexual activity.

Blood sample data showed no significant differences in total testosterone, free testosterone, and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels between the two groups.

Since DHT is a metabolite of testosterone, it’s extremely unlikely that sexual activity has any effect — positive or negative — on DHT levels or hair loss.

If you’re interested in blocking DHT and restoring hair growth, you can try products like DHT shampoos.

Protein plays a vital role in skin, nail, and hair health. 

Your hair is largely made up of a protein called keratin. Research shows that dietary protein is important for healthy hair growth, and a lack of protein can lead to a form of temporary hair loss known as telogen effluvium.

The myth? Some people claim that because semen contains protein, each time you ejaculate, you’re ridding your body of vital nutrients. And, over time, masturbating too much could lead to a deficiency and hair loss. 

The truth? Masturbation and sex don’t result in significant protein loss.

What Science Says

While it’s true that semen contains protein, ejaculation doesn’t reduce the amount of protein available for your hair follicles by any significant amount. 

On average, there are approximately 5,040 mg of protein in every 100 mL of semen. On average, each time a person ejaculates they produce about 3.4 mL of semen.

To lose just five milligrams of protein, you’d need to masturbate or have sex almost 30 times. 

To put these figures in context, an egg contains about six grams of protein and a chicken breast contains about 30 to 60 grams.

Although you do lose some protein upon ejaculation, the amount is totally insignificant compared to the average person’s dietary protein intake. 

Even if you spend all day masturbating, you’ll still take in about 10 to 50 times as much protein through your diet, assuming you eat a balanced diet.

This myth is a variation on the masturbation DHT claim we debunked above, but with the added claim that masturbation affects the total balance of hormones in your body.

While it’s true that sex does have some effect on certain hormone levels, it’s a temporary effect with no link to hair loss.

One of the main hormones released during orgasm and ejaculation is oxytocin, a peptide hormone that affects the pleasure centers in your brain.

Oxytocin is involved in making sex and masturbation feel pleasurable. But, it has no effect on the health or thickness of your hair.

What Science Says

Interestingly, there’s a small amount of scientific evidence suggesting that oxytocin may have an effect on testosterone conversion to DHT.

However, there’s no specific evidence showing masturbation has any measurable impact on DHT that wouldn't also occur in other situations that produce oxytocin.

Since your body releases oxytocin when you do pleasurable things, like holding hands with your partner or eating a delicious meal, there’s no reason to specifically worry about oxytocin released during sex or masturbation affecting your hairline.

It’s common and perfectly healthy to masturbate, whether you do it once every few days or several times per day. 

In general, masturbation is absolutely fine, as long as it doesn’t interfere with your day-to-day life or have a negative impact on your relationships.

However, excessive masturbation can become a problem when it:

• Affects your sexual performance or enjoyment. Masturbation doesn’t cause erectile dysfunction (ED). However, it can trigger your male refractory period, which may have a temporary impact on your sexual performance.

• Causes you to prefer porn to real-life sex. Although research is limited, some studies have found that excessive porn use may cause a form of ED known as porn-induced erectile dysfunction. If you masturbate to porn, it’s best to take a break if you find yourself preferring porn to real-life sex, or if you think you’re starting to develop a compulsion to watch porn.

• Gets in the way of your work or education. Like other activities, masturbation can be healthy and enjoyable. However, it’s important not to let it get in the way of your job or schooling.

• Has a significant impact on your finances. If you masturbate to porn or use sex toys, that’s wonderful. It’s just important to keep your spending in check, and making sure masturbation isn’t affecting your finances.

• Damages or irritates your penis. Excessive masturbation may cause the skin on your penis to become irritated. In this case, it’s best to take a break and let your skin recover, then use plenty of lubrication to protect and moisturize your skin.

• Makes you feel guilty or ashamed. Masturbation is pleasurable and enjoyable, and shouldn’t make you feel ashamed or guilty. If you feel negative feelings after masturbating, it may be best to take a break and think about what’s causing you to feel this way.

If you’re concerned that you masturbate too much, you may want to consider reaching out to a mental health professional for expert advice and assistance.

Our guide to how much masturbation is too much explains more about the effects that frequent masturbation may have on your sexual performance. 

Did you know masturbation might even benefit your mental and sexual health?

Masturbation can:

• Relieve stress and frustration

• Get rid of sexual tension

• Make you feel more comfortable with sex

• Help you learn what you enjoy sexually 

• Improve your self-esteem and sexual confidence

• Help you relax and sleep

For women, masturbation can also help reduce muscle tension and relieve cramping (dysmenorrhea) that can occur during menstruation.

Male pattern baldness results from a combination of genetic factors and the androgen hormone DHT, which your body produces as a byproduct of testosterone. 

If you’ve noticed your hair falling out or your hairline starting to recede, it’s more likely due to male pattern baldness than excessive masturbation.

In some cases, lifestyle factors such as stress, nutritional deficiencies, or certain types of medication can contribute to hair shedding. 

Masturbating or sexual activity doesn’t affect your hairline, the thickness of your hair, or any aspect of your hair health. 

Dealing with hair loss can be frustrating. But there’s good news: Real, science-based treatments are available. They can help slow, stop, and even reverse the impact of male pattern baldness on your hairline.

Hair Loss Medications

Currently, the most effective treatment options for male pattern baldness are FDA-approved hair loss medications, such as minoxidil and finasteride. 

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a topical medication that’s available as a liquid or foam. It works by moving hairs into the anagen, or growth, phase of the hair growth cycle. 

It also stimulates blood flow, which may improve nutrient supply and hair growth.

Minoxidil is available without a prescription, making it a convenient treatment for hair loss.

We offer minoxidil liquid and minoxidil foam online. You can learn more about using minoxidil in our guide to applying minoxidil for hair growth. 

Finasteride

Finasteride is a prescription hair loss medication. 

Unlike minoxidil, which works at the scalp level, finasteride works by inhibiting the effects of the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, or DHT.

Research shows finasteride is very effective, especially when used in combination with minoxidil. 

In a study published in the journal Dermatologic Therapy, 94.1 percent of men with visible hair loss who used finasteride and minoxidil together showed improvements in hair growth.

We offer finasteride online, following a consultation with a licensed healthcare professional who will determine if a prescription is appropriate.

You can also access minoxidil and finasteride together, along with other hair loss products, in our Hair Power Pack.

Other Treatments for Hair Loss

In addition to medication, other options for addressing male pattern baldness include:

• Hair loss prevention shampoos. These shampoos contain ingredients such as saw palmetto and ketoconazole, which may help to prevent hair loss. You can learn more about these products in our guide to the best shampoos for thinning hair in men.

• Hair growth vitamins. Several essential vitamins and minerals, including those in our Biotin Gummy Vitamins, benefit hair growth. However, there’s limited evidence that vitamins play any significant role in preventing male pattern baldness.

• Hair transplant surgery. This type of surgery involves moving DHT-resistant hairs to areas affected by hair loss, such as the hairline or crown. While it’s very effective, it can cost several thousand dollars and may take several weeks to heal. Our guide to hair transplant surgery goes into greater detail about the advantages and disadvantages of this type of procedure.

Masturbation is a healthy, normal activity that can have significant benefits for your sexual and mental health. There’s no evidence that masturbating can lead to hair loss.

Let’s recap:

• Masturbation doesn’t impact DHT levels. Sexual activity won’t influence your body’s DHT levels or cause male pattern baldness.

• Masturbation doesn’t cause protein deficiency. You would have to masturbate a lot to lose enough protein to cause a deficiency and trigger hair loss.

• Masturbation doesn’t cause hormone imbalances. While masturbation does trigger the release of the pleasure hormone oxytocin, this effect doesn’t influence your hairline.

There’s no evidence masturbation causes hair loss; if you’re noticing hair thinning or a receding hairline, you might be experiencing male pattern baldness. 

Effective hair loss treatment options can help, and it’s best to address the situation quickly to prevent permanent balding.