Can Guys Take Prenatal Vitamins for Hair Growth?

Though prenatal vitamins are specifically meant for people who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, these supplements have earned a reputation for supporting hair growth and nail growth, among other benefits.

So, can guys take prenatal vitamins for hair growth? There’s not a lot of evidence to support this.

Here’s what to know.

It’s not surprising that the idea of prenatal vitamins for hair loss has taken hold. Certain nutrient deficiencies are associated with hair loss, so it’s easy to assume that addressing those deficiencies with supplements would help hair grow.

Multivitamins are marketed as a remedy for numerous health concerns, not just to meet nutritional needs. You can find daily multis that promise to help with conditions like premature ejaculation (PE), erectile dysfunction (ED), weight loss, and even better brain power.

The Council for Responsible Nutrition reports that nearly three-fourths of U.S. adults take vitamins and other nutritional supplements, with more than half claiming the supplements are essential for good health.

But this doesn’t mean prenatal vitamins are the answer to a receding hairline.

We’ll break down what’s in prenatal vitamins, what they’re for, why they aren’t the most reliable option for hair growth, and what else you can try.

Prenatal supplements are multivitamins containing specific nutrients that support healthy fetal development. The three main nutrients in prenatal vitamins are:

• Folic acid (a form of folate, also known as vitamin B9)

• Iodine

• Iron

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), prenatal vitamins should also contain zinc and vitamins A and D. Many prenatal vitamin supplements also contain other nutrients, including vitamins C and E, which have immune-boosting antioxidant properties.

Let’s cut to the chase: Prenatal vitamins are just a type of multivitamin. There’s no proven advantage for men taking them, especially when it comes to hair growth.

Instead, guys might want to take a standard men’s multivitamin or hair-growth vitamins.

Some nutrients associated with hair health and overall health include:

• Vitamin A

• Vitamin B12

• Folic acid

• Vitamin C

• Vitamin D

• Vitamin E

• Biotin

• Zinc

• Iron

• Protein

• Keratin

• Collagen

• Omega-3 fatty acids

Studies suggest that vitamin supplementation doesn’t make much of a difference in overcoming hair loss. But there appears to be some association between low vitamin D levels and androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness).

Calcium deficiency is also associated with hair loss, so taking a calcium supplement could be worth trying. Considering the mineral’s benefits for bone and cardiovascular health, there’s good reason to keep your calcium levels up.

Risk of Iron Overload for Men Taking Prenatal Vitamins

The main risk associated with guys taking prenatal vitamins for hair growth is overdoing it on the iron.

Prenatal vitamins are packed with iron — often around 27 milligrams (mg). During pregnancy, an expecting mother’s blood volume increases dramatically, as does her need for more iron. Anemia (iron deficiency) is common during pregnancy, and some pregnant people take a separate iron supplement in addition to their prenatal vitamin.

If you take prenatal vitamins, there’s a potential risk of consuming too much iron, especially if you take other vitamin supplements containing iron or you eat lots of iron-rich foods, such as:

• Beans

• Beef

• Broccoli

• Lentils

• Spinach

• Tofu

• Tuna

• Turkey

As you can see, a balanced diet is also packed with iron, so an iron supplement isn’t always necessary to meet your iron targets.

According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, adult men need a daily intake of about eight milligrams of iron — and they shouldn’t go above 45 grams of iron a day. That upper limit may only be recommended for people being treated for iron deficiency.

Getting too much iron can lead to side effects, such as constipation and nausea, or even more severe complications, like ulcers or organ damage.

Too much folate may also be problematic, as it can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency and worsen symptoms of low B12 levels.

One reason prenatal vitamins have been associated with healthy hair is that pregnant women taking these supplements often enjoy a fuller, more luxurious head of hair than they had before pregnancy.

But this surge in hair growth and a pause in hair loss is actually due to higher estrogen levels that come with pregnancy. There’s no evidence it’s because of vitamins.

Of course, hair loss after delivery — known as excessive hair shedding — is also common as hormone levels drop. So the lustrous hair of pregnancy is often short-lived.

There are plenty of other products and procedures, in addition to hair growth supplements, you may want to try.

Start by talking with a dermatologist or another healthcare professional experienced in treating hair loss.

Some types of hair loss are due to genetic factors. But in other cases, there’s a diagnosable and treatable health condition that may be contributing to your hair loss. 

Your healthcare provider might be able to pinpoint the cause of your hair loss, which, in turn, would lead to the appropriate treatment plan.

One of the most crucial strategies to treat hair loss is to start as soon as you can. Your provider can direct you to hair loss products that have been proven effective in many people.

Minoxidil

One of the more commonly used products is minoxidil, a vasodilator (something that increases blood circulation) that may boost hair growth in people experiencing hereditary hair loss.

It works, in part, by boosting blood flow to the scalp to encourage new hair growth. Minoxidil also shortens the resting phase of the hair growth cycle and extends the growth phase.

Finasteride

Another hair loss medication is finasteride, a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5ARI) used to treat male pattern baldness by interfering with the sex hormone that triggers hair loss. This hormone is DHT (short for dihydrotestosterone).

Hair Transplant

You may also want to investigate hair restoration procedures, like follicular unit transplantation (FUE) or other hair transplant options.

This usually isn’t the first thing men try to treat hair loss — and hair transplants can undoubtedly be expensive. But they can be a good option when other approaches haven’t worked.

Good Hair Habits

Don’t forget to follow good hair care habits, like avoiding harsh products on your hair and scalp and gently washing your hair. It’s not everything, but using a good shampoo and conditioner might help your hair look and feel thicker.

Should men take prenatal vitamins in the quest for better hair? The simple answer is no.

Here’s what to keep in mind if you’re a guy considering taking a women’s prenatal:

• There’s little risk in trying a prenatal vitamin, other than the possibility of consuming too much iron.

• Rather than buying prenatal vitamins, try to adopt a healthy lifestyle — maybe cutting back on some unhealthy elements of a typical American diet while emphasizing foods with essential nutrients associated with hair growth and overall health.

• If you still want to address a receding hairline or hair loss in general, consult a dermatologist or another healthcare professional specializing in healthy hair growth.

Hims has accessible, affordable hair loss treatments for men, including minoxidil, finasteride, and biotin gummies to support hair health. Take our free hair quiz to get started.