Does masturbation cause hair loss?

There are many myths surrounding masturbation, one of the strangest being the idea that masturbation causes hair loss. But is there any truth to this theory?

Well, if it sounds silly, that’s because it is. Masturbation does not cause hair loss in men and there is literally no link between masturbation and hair loss. In fact, there are many benefits of masturbation. Read as we explore them, and let you know what to do if you struggle with hair loss or thinning hair.

Does masturbation cause hair loss?‍

Answer: No. Masturbation does not cause hair loss.

Masturbation is a normal part of self-pleasure and hair falling is a common experience for men of all ages, but the two are in no way related.

Most cases of hair loss can be linked to heredity, that is, the genetic history of your parents. Hair loss experienced by men most typically shows up in the form of male pattern baldness that you might’ve already seen on your dad.

How often you masturbate really has nothing to do with your receding hairline. So where did the theory come from?

It was once hypothesised that, because masturbation usually leads to ejaculation, and semen is made of protein, that you "waste" protein that could otherwise assist in the production of healthy hair follicles every time you masturbate.

So, if it’s entirely false, where has this idea come from? There are a couple of possible rationales behind one of the biggest masturbation myths.

The first is around protein. Human semen is incredibly high in protein: around 5.04g per 100 ml of semen [1].

Protein also happens to be a crucial building block for hair growth, because hair follicles are mostly made up of the stuff and a lack of it can lead to hair fall.

The theory goes that masturbation lowers protein levels. When you ejaculate, you’re losing protein — and potentially triggering hair loss as a result. In actual fact, your body loses so little semen during ejaculation (about 3.3-3.7 ml) that it doesn’t really have any impact on protein levels in your body [1].

The second claim is to do with hormones, specifically, that masturbation increases testosterone levels in the body. As a result, this can raise levels of dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, which is a male sex hormone linked to hair loss [2].

It’s true that masturbation can have a very minor effect on testosterone levels, but the increase is temporary and levels go back to normal after you ejaculate. The impact is not strong or long enough to lead to hair fall.

On top of that, a 2001 German study actually contradicts the testosterone theory [3]. Interestingly, the study found that abstaining from masturbation for 3 weeks caused an increase in testosterone levels [4].

Is masturbation good or bad for you?

The mistruths above would indicate masturbation is somehow a bad thing, when this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Masturbation is a healthy part of one’s sexuality, and in fact, 80% of us admit to getting ourselves off on a regular basis [5]. Rather than being a cause of hair loss and hair fall, masturbation provides a number of benefits to your mind and body and your sexual health.

Masturbation helps reduce stress

Scientific evidence shows that masturbation can be great for de-stressing [6]. This is because a masturbation-induced orgasm helps release the feel-good hormones known as endorphins, which work to relieve stress. (Bonus: endorphins can also assist in alleviating pain.)

As well, sexual activity — including masturbation — produces oxytocin, another hormone that can stifle stress hormones like cortisol, as well as prolactin, which modulates stress.

It can assist with sleep

When you go to sleep at night, your body does a lot of hard work to ready you for sleep. It produces a hormone known as melatonin, which helps you sleep, plus other hormones like serotonin (another mood-booster ), vasopressin (which helps regulate your circadian rhythms), oxytocin and prolactin [7][8].

We know that orgasming releases oxytocin and prolactin, but it unleashes serotonin and vasopressin, too.

In essence, when you masturbate, you’re effectively boosting the production of these hormones to help your body get in the mood for sleep. You may just find that a little self-pleasure before you hit the sack could mean a better night’s rest.

It can be a lot of fun — both solo and with a partner

There’s no denying that masturbation can be a lot of fun, whether you’re doing it on your own or with a partner. And that in itself is a huge plus.

It’s also a form of sexual pleasure that’s available to everyone, regardless of gender, relationship or sexual status [9].

But the added benefit of having fun with masturbation is that it can improve your sexual experiences and contribute to healthy sexual development [10].

It allows you to explore your preferences, work out what you do and don’t like doing in the bedroom, and where and how you want to be touched. Once you’ve figured these things out, you can then communicate them to a partner to help them make you feel good.

It can boost your confidence

By understanding and communicating what you like when it comes to masturbation and sex, self-pleasure can in turn improve your self-esteem, confidence inside (and even outside) the bedroom, and your overall sexual health.

Now, it is possible to have too much of a good thing, and there is such a thing as excessive masturbation.

Frequent masturbation doesn’t mean you have a problem, but if you find your masturbation habits are impacting your relationships or day-to-day life (for example, leaving a social situation or work early to masturbate), then you may wish to speak to a therapist.

Hair loss solutions

Experiencing hair loss and wondering how you can slow it down or completely stop it in its tracks? You might want to try one of these hair treatments.

Lifestyle tweaks

If lifestyle factors are behind your hair loss, there are several changes you can make to prevent further damage.

Assess your diet to ensure you’re getting enough of the right nutrients and essential vitamins to stall hair loss (iron, protein, zinc and those others we mentioned earlier), along with plenty of antioxidants.

Reduce stress as much as possible and, if you’re a smoker, see if you can quit the habit. If you’re prone to wearing tight hairstyles, try having your hair loose more often.

Hair loss shampoo and conditioner

Conventional shampoos, especially those containing harsh chemicals, probably won’t do your head many favours. Instead, dedicated hair loss products, like Pilot's Hair Growth Shampoo and Conditioner, can do wonders for your hair and scalp.

This duo is formulated to lay the groundwork for thicker, healthier and happier follicles and is filled with a bunch of ingredients that help prevent hair loss.

Low-level light therapy

Low-level light (or laser) therapy can help stimulate hair growth. It does this by using gentle lasers to stimulate the follicles, thus minimising hair thinning and reducing inflammation that can lead to hair fall.

It’s a safe and pain-free option, but it needs to be performed across several sessions that can last months or even years. It also happens to be quite exxy.

Medical hair loss treatments

Male pattern hair loss almost always comes down to our genetics, though thinning hair could also be related to stress, side effects from medication, medical conditions that trigger hormone changes, or your hairstyle (bleaching and cornrows can be damaging to the scalp).

Hair loss is super common in Australia, with 20% of men noticing hair thinning by the time they're 20, 30% by their 30s, and so on and so forth [11].

The good news is, hair loss is treatable.‍ Pilot offers personalised hair loss treatment plans that are formulated by our Australian doctors based on your needs. Simply conduct an online assessment and a Pilot practitioner will create a targeted hair loss treatment just for you.

Remember, best results are achieved with early intervention so be sure to seek help sooner rather than later.

Hair transplant

A hair transplant is a type of surgery where healthy hairs are taken from the back or sides of your head and moved to parts of your scalp that are losing (or have completely lost) hair.

It’s a pretty intensive option, but it is very effective in helping men regain a thicker head of hair or fuller hairline.

Like low-level light therapy, hair transplants are costly, usually priced at thousands of dollars and sometimes up to AU$30,000.

Style it out

If you’re keen to embrace your new look, you could try a new hairstyle that compliments your hairline or thinning hair.

Many men opt for a buzz cut or total shave, as both of these can make any bald spots or thin patches much less obvious. Alternatively, you could grow out the top part of your hair and slick it to the side or back to cover any bald spots.

A thick beard or moustache can also balance out a receding hairline or thinning hair by providing a bit of a distraction.

While it can be hard to know why you're experiencing hair loss, you can rest assured that masturbation does not cause hair loss. Masturbation is a healthy activity that you should feel free to engage with without fear of affecting your hair.

Reaching out for hair loss-related help can be difficult, but Pilot makes it easy by being completely online. All consultations with Pilot practitioners are online and medication is delivered discreetly.

If you're not sure what's going on with your hair, complete the online assessment and a practitioner will be able to shed some light on the situation.

Photo Credit: Getty Images