Was Mom right? Does masturbation lead to baldness? Let's be very clear on this one: no, masturbation does not lead to hair loss. This myth has persevered for too long, perpetrated by overbearing mothers everywhere and societal insistence that self-love is taboo.
Don't be fooled by these absurd, unscientific ideas. These old "theories" have been disproven by modern science, so don't let the myth of imaginary hair loss impose itself upon your private lifestyle choices. Hair loss is caused by plenty of factors (i.e. genetics, stress, hormonal imbalance, medications, diet), but no scientific study has linked sexual activity to hair loss. Below, we've gathered all the information you need to know about where this myth came from, why people believed it, and how it has been debunked. Let's bust this myth!
The Myths
One of the initial theories that led to widespread belief that excessive masturbation could lead to hair loss concerned itself primarily with protein. This theory linked loss of protein (via semen) to the inability of hair to grow properly. Although semen contains protein and hair itself is essentially fibrous protein, the amount of ejaculation required to create any sort of depletion is astronomical. To begin with, seminal fluid is only about 10% protein. Meanwhile, your body's "dry weight" consists of over 50% protein and hair typically gets the protein it requires through diet and nutrition. Myth busted.
The other major theory that links masturbation to hair loss suggests that changing levels of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can negatively impact hair's growth. The theory is that sex and masturbation release more testosterone, which creates more DHT, which in turn causes hair loss. Again, this link is weak at best. While more testosterone is produced after ejaculation, DHT's hair detrimental effects are a result of genetic sensitivity and does not cause the same reactions in everybody. DHT doesn't naturally attack hair follicles and there have been no studies that correlate the loss of hair with high DHT levels. Not to say studies won't be conducted in the future, but the general consensus is that the DHT/hair loss theory is completely false. Busted!
The Truth
The truth of the matter is that, no, protein loss through "excessive" expulsion of seminal fluids will not affect the way your hair grows. Neither will fluctuations in DHT. Most likely these myths caught on due to the taboo of masturbation, a lack of scientific evidence, and general misinformation. If your hair is thinning, giving up sex and/or masturbation is not the solution. Learning more about the hair growth cycle, your family history, and your options for treatment will help you leave behind the nonsense of unfounded superstitions.
Of course, even after being repeatedly debunked these myths live on, bolstered by parents' scare tactics, religious conceits, and misleading information plastered across the internet. A good rule of thumb for your personal research is: if it sounds strange, ask your doctor to verify the information you have found. Hair loss is reversible more often than not so seeking professional help is the best way to turn things around.
Regardless of your personal habits and their affects (or lack thereof) on your hair, we can help you overcome hair loss and reclaim your confidence. At Mane Image, we pride ourselves on our professional, personalized hair loss solutions as well as our ability to help clients feel great about themselves. We offer both non-surgical and surgical hair solutions, providing you with the options that are best for your situation. Please contact us if you have any questions about our services or if you would like to schedule a consultation. Let us care for your hair!
