Have you ever heard of DHT or Dihydrotestosterone ? Maybe yes, maybe not. But this is something that is very important for our body, especially for men's health. So, today we will talk about this DHT in a simple way that you can understand.
What is DHT (dihydrotestosterone)? Simply put...
Simply put, DHT is a special hormone that helps develop male sexual characteristics . You know, hormones are like little messengers that control every function in our body. DHT also belongs to a group of hormones called Androgen. Androgen is the name given to hormones that cause male characteristics.
Think about it, DHT starts working in a male's body from the time he's in the womb. Then, the role of DHT changes at different times in his life. Although scientists aren't exactly sure how DHT affects women, they think it may affect hair growth on the body and in private areas.
The main androgen in an adult male is testosterone . About 10% of this testosterone is converted to DHT each day . This process occurs in the skin around the genitals and in the prostate gland in men. In women, this happens in the skin. It also occurs in places like our liver. Because men naturally have more testosterone in their bodies, their DHT levels are also much higher.
What does DHT actually do to our bodies?
DHT does different things at different stages of a man's life. It is especially important during fetal development and puberty .
However, unlike testosterone, DHT does not play a major role in maintaining the body's functions in an adult male. In adulthood, DHT is mainly seen in conditions such as prostate enlargement and male pattern hair loss.
The role of DHT during the embryonic stage
While in the womb, a baby's sex organs develop as male or female depending on a specific hormonal environment. In the case of a boy, DHT works with other hormones (including testosterone ) to suppress the development of female sex characteristics and promote the development of male sex characteristics .
DHT is essential for the development of the male external genitalia, the penis and testicles, in a fetus. DHT also helps in the development of the prostate gland.
DHT during puberty
As a boy reaches puberty, DHT helps the penis and testicles grow further. Not only that, but DHT is also primarily responsible for:
What happens if DHT levels increase?
Some health conditions are associated with elevated DHT levels. Let's take a look at what they are:
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
- Prostate cancer
- Androgenetic alopecia (male hair loss )
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) (in women)
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and DHT
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlargement of your prostate gland. It is a very common condition in men over the age of 50 .
Your prostate gland can produce large amounts of DHT. This DHT stimulates the normal functioning of the prostate gland, and often causes the prostate gland to enlarge. This BPH can cause problems such as difficulty urinating and sexual dysfunction .
Prostate cancer and DHT
People with prostate cancer typically have high levels of DHT. Prostate cancer can be caused by increased DHT activity in your prostate, combined with certain genetic mutations that cause prostate cells to grow uncontrollably.
Androgenetic alopecia (hair loss) and DHT
Androgenic alopecia is what we commonly call male pattern baldness . In this condition, hair falls out from the top and front of the head. Over time, the hairline recedes.
One cause of this hair loss is increased DHT activity in your hair follicles. There are other causes, such as genetic influences. When DHT levels increase, hair follicles shrink, the hair growth cycle shortens, and eventually hair falls out.
PCOS and DHT
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance that affects women. It occurs when their ovaries produce too many androgen hormones, including testosterone. This leads to elevated levels of DHT. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including irregular periods, excessive body hair growth (hirsutism), and acne .
What happens if DHT levels decrease?
Some conditions are associated with low DHT levels. Let's look at what they are:
- 5-alpha reductase deficiency `(5-alpha reductase deficiency)`
- Low testosterone / male hypogonadism
Lower than normal levels of DHT mainly affect men. Some scientists believe that lower levels of DHT in girls may delay puberty.
5-alpha reductase deficiency and DHT
5-alpha reductase is an enzyme that helps convert testosterone into DHT. A genetic mutation that affects the production of this enzyme can cause DHT levels to be low or absent. This is called 5-alpha reductase deficiency. This is a condition that is inherited from parents to children (an autosomal recessive pattern) .
5-alpha reductase deficiency affects the sexual development of genetically male fetuses (those with XY chromosomes). Male babies born with this deficiency typically exhibit the following characteristics:
- The external genitalia are not fully developed.
- The presence of functional testicles inside the body (not having come out).
- Small or absent prostate gland.
Important: In severe cases of 5-alpha reductase deficiency, genetically male babies with XY chromosomes may have female external genitalia. However, the reduced DHT does not affect the development of the testicles (they can still produce sperm) and the internal genitalia. This is different from a condition called Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome. People with this condition have normal testicles and normal or high testosterone levels, but they lack androgen receptors, so they do not develop secondary sexual characteristics, and they are also less fertile.
Boys with the genetic disorder 5-alpha reductase deficiency do not develop facial hair when they reach puberty. However, their bodies still produce testosterone, which leads to things like a deepening voice, muscle growth, and penis enlargement.
Low testosterone levels and DHT
Testosterone in your body is what converts to DHT. So, if your testosterone levels are low, your DHT levels will also be lower than normal. Another name for low testosterone levels is male hypogonadism.
There are two main types of male hypogonadism: classical (present at birth or later in life) and late-onset. Depending on your age, male hypogonadism can cause a variety of problems.
Should I see a doctor about my DHT levels?
If you think you or your child may have a condition caused by low or high DHT, be sure to talk to a doctor . He or she can run the necessary tests or refer you to someone who specializes in the endocrine system, such as an endocrinologist.
Dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, is essential for male sexual development. But if its levels are too high or too low, it can cause problems such as underdevelopment of the external genitalia, an enlarged prostate, and hair loss. If you have any concerns about your DHT levels, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor. They can run tests and recommend treatments that can help you.
The most important things to remember from this article (Take-Home Message)
- DHT is an androgen hormone that primarily helps develop male sexual characteristics .
- DHT is important for the development of male external genitalia during the fetal stage and for the growth of facial hair and body hair during puberty.
- Elevated DHT levels can lead to conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer, hair loss in men, and PCOS in women.
- If DHT levels are low, conditions such as 5-alpha reductase deficiency can affect male sexual development.
- If you have any doubts or concerns about your DHT levels, it is best to seek medical advice .
I hope you now have a better understanding of DHT. Being aware of things like this is very important for your health!
` DHT, dihydrotestosterone, hormones, men's health, testosterone, prostate, hair loss, PCOS
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