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Key Takeaway

✓ Key Takeaways

No — current scientific evidence does not confirm that creatine causes hair loss. One small 2009 study in rugby players showed a temporary increase in DHT (a hormone linked to hair loss), but this finding has never been replicated under standard supplementation conditions. The consensus among sports medicine researchers is that creatine supplementation does not meaningfully increase hair loss risk in the general population.*

  • No direct clinical evidence links creatine supplementation to hair loss in humans
  • One small 2009 rugby study showed a temporary DHT increase — it has never been replicated at standard doses
  • DHT elevation from creatine, if any, is modest and unlikely to cause hair loss in those without genetic predisposition
  • The American Academy of Dermatology does not list creatine as a hair-loss risk factor
  • If you have genetic hair loss (androgenic alopecia), consult your doctor — but current evidence does not require avoiding creatine

"Does creatine cause hair loss?" is one of the most searched questions about this supplement. It's asked by men who are thinking about starting creatine but are worried about going bald. It's repeated on forums as established fact. It's cited as a reason to avoid a supplement that has more supporting research than almost anything else in sports nutrition.

The entire claim traces back to a single study with 20 participants, published in 2009. That study did not measure hair loss. Not a single hair was counted. Here's what it actually found — and what the broader body of evidence says.*

1
Study that sparked this claim — published in 2009 with 20 male rugby players
0
Studies that have directly measured or documented creatine-related hair loss
500+
Peer-reviewed creatine studies that have not reported hair loss as a side effect

The Short Answer

Current Evidence

No study has ever directly linked creatine supplementation to hair loss in humans. The claim originates from a single small study that measured a change in the ratio of a hormone (DHT) to testosterone — not hair counts, not follicle health, not clinical hair loss outcomes.

56%
DHT increase observed during a 7-day creatine loading phase in one study — but this was during supraphysiological loading (25g/day), not standard 3–5g maintenance.

For people without a genetic predisposition to male pattern baldness, even the hormonal change observed in that study is unlikely to have any meaningful effect on hair. For those with a strong family history of androgenetic alopecia, the question deserves more nuance — explained below.*

The One Study Behind This Claim

The Source Study
van der Merwe J, Brooks NE, Myburgh KH. "Three weeks of creatine monohydrate supplementation affects dihydrotestosterone to testosterone ratio in college-aged rugby players." Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 2009.
n = 20 males College-aged rugby players 3-week duration Not replicated No hair loss measured

What they did: 20 male rugby players were randomized to creatine (25g/day loading for 7 days, then 5g/day for 14 days) or placebo. Blood was drawn to measure testosterone and DHT (dihydrotestosterone) levels before, during, and after supplementation.

What they found: DHT levels increased ~56% during the loading week and remained ~40% above baseline during the maintenance phase. The DHT-to-testosterone ratio also increased significantly. Testosterone itself did not change significantly.

What they did NOT find or measure: No participants reported hair loss. No hair counts were performed. No follicle assessments were done. The study did not conclude that creatine causes hair loss — the authors noted this would require further investigation.

Critical Study Limitations
  • Sample size of 20 is far too small to establish causation
  • All participants were college-aged males — results may not apply broadly
  • DHT levels, while elevated from baseline, remained within the normal physiological reference range
  • No study has replicated the DHT increase finding — subsequent research has produced mixed results
  • Hair loss was never measured, observed, or reported at any point in the study
  • The study itself called for further research before drawing conclusions

How Hair Loss Actually Works

To understand whether the DHT finding in that study is clinically meaningful, you need to understand how androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) actually happens. It is not simply a matter of how much DHT is circulating in your blood.

1
Genetic predisposition is required. The primary driver of male pattern baldness is the androgen receptor gene (AR gene) on the X chromosome. People who inherit a sensitized version of this receptor have hair follicles that are vulnerable to DHT-induced miniaturization. People without this genetic variant are largely unaffected by DHT fluctuations within the normal physiological range.
2
DHT binds to sensitized follicles. In genetically predisposed individuals, DHT binds to androgen receptors in scalp hair follicles, triggering a process of progressive miniaturization — follicles gradually shrink and produce thinner, shorter hairs until they stop producing hair entirely.
3
Threshold and duration matter. Even in genetically predisposed individuals, a single short-term increase in DHT does not immediately trigger or accelerate significant hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia is a slow, cumulative process driven by chronic androgen exposure — not a brief spike.*
4
Without the genetic predisposition, DHT elevation has minimal effect on hair. Men and women without the sensitized AR gene can have elevated DHT for years with no meaningful hair loss. The gene is the key — not DHT alone.*

DHT Levels in Context: Where Does the Study's Finding Actually Land?

DHT Levels: Normal Range vs. Study Findings (van der Merwe et al., 2009)

Normal male DHT reference range: 300–850 pg/mL (varies by lab). Study participants' pre-supplementation DHT was estimated ~450 pg/mL. Post-loading increase of ~56% brought estimated levels to ~700 pg/mL — still within the normal physiological range. Values are approximate based on reported percentage changes.

The chart illustrates a key point that gets lost in the media retelling of this study: even after the ~56% DHT increase during the loading phase, the participants' DHT levels were still within the accepted normal male physiological range. They did not exceed pathologically elevated levels. For comparison, men on anabolic steroids can experience DHT levels several times the upper normal range — a very different situation from a creatine-induced shift that stays within normal bounds.*

What 500+ Studies on Creatine Actually Show

The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) published a comprehensive position stand on creatine supplementation that analyzed decades of research. The safety profile documented across hundreds of peer-reviewed trials is remarkably consistent:

The safety profile documented across hundreds of peer-reviewed trials is remarkably consistent:

  • No clinically significant adverse effects on kidney or liver function in healthy individuals
  • No documented cases of hair loss attributable to creatine supplementation
  • No adverse cardiovascular effects
  • No documented hormonal disruption causing negative health outcomes
  • Long-term use (years of daily supplementation) shows no accumulating toxicity

The ISSN, the American College of Sports Medicine, and other major sports science bodies have reviewed the full evidence base and arrived at the same conclusion: creatine monohydrate is safe for healthy individuals. Hair loss is not listed as a documented side effect in any major clinical review.*

Putting the Evidence in Perspective

Evidence Quality: Creatine Hair Loss Claim vs. Other Documented Effects

Evidence score based on number of independent studies, replication, sample sizes, and directness of measurement. The hair loss claim is based on 1 unreplicated study that did not directly measure hair loss.

Who, If Anyone, Should Be Cautious?

Profile Hair Loss Risk Recommendation
No family history of male pattern baldness Very Low The DHT finding from the 2009 study is unlikely to be meaningful for you. No change in practice warranted.*
Family history of MPB (father, maternal grandfather) Low–Moderate You have a genetic predisposition. Discuss with a dermatologist if hair health is a concern. Monitor for any changes over the first few months of use.*
Already experiencing early androgenetic alopecia Moderate If your hair loss is already active, any DHT increase (even within normal range) warrants discussion with a healthcare provider before starting.*
On finasteride or dutasteride (DHT blockers) Low DHT-blocking medications largely neutralize any potential concern from DHT fluctuations. Discuss with your prescribing physician.*
Women Very Low Women naturally have much lower DHT levels. Androgenetic alopecia in women operates through different mechanisms. The 2009 study was in males only.*
The Honest Bottom Line

The hair loss claim is not fabricated — it originates from a real study that found a real hormonal change. But the leap from "DHT ratio increased in 20 rugby players" to "creatine causes hair loss" is not supported by the evidence.

If you have a strong family history of male pattern baldness and it's something you're actively concerned about, it's reasonable to discuss any supplementation — including creatine — with your dermatologist. That's a sensible precaution for anyone managing androgenetic alopecia, not a creatine-specific warning.*

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the 2009 study actually show participants losing hair?

No. The study measured blood hormone levels — specifically the ratio of DHT to testosterone. No hair was counted, no follicle assessments were done, and no participants reported hair loss during or after the study. The authors themselves stated the findings required further investigation before clinical conclusions could be drawn.

Has any other study replicated the DHT increase finding?

🔬
Research note: No study has directly measured creatine's effect on actual hair loss outcomes in any population.*
The DHT finding has been inconsistently replicated. Some studies have found small increases in DHT with creatine supplementation; others have found no significant change. No study has directly measured creatine's effect on actual hair loss outcomes in any population.*

I've been taking creatine for months and my hair seems thinner. Is creatine the cause?

Hair loss has many causes — stress, nutritional deficiencies (iron, zinc, vitamin D), hormonal changes, thyroid function, and genetic androgenetic alopecia are all common. If you're experiencing notable hair thinning, see a dermatologist for a proper assessment. Attributing it to creatine without ruling out other factors is not well-supported by the evidence. Consult your healthcare provider.

Does creatine affect hormones in any other way?

Creatine does not significantly affect testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, or other hormones in clinical doses. The one hormonal finding that has any evidence base is the DHT/testosterone ratio change from the 2009 study, and even that has not been consistently replicated. Creatine is not a hormonal supplement and does not function as one.*

Should women worry about this?

No. The 2009 study was conducted exclusively in males. Women have significantly lower baseline DHT levels, and androgenetic alopecia in women (female pattern hair loss) operates through different mechanisms with different sensitivities. The hair loss concern does not meaningfully apply to women taking creatine at standard doses.*

If I have a family history of male pattern baldness, should I avoid creatine?

Current evidence does not require avoiding creatine even with a family history of male pattern baldness; however, if you are concerned or already managing active androgenetic alopecia, discussing any supplementation with a dermatologist is a sensible precaution.

The 2009 study that prompted this concern measured DHT levels rather than actual hair outcomes, and no study has documented creatine-attributable hair loss. Hair loss decisions in those with genetic predisposition involve many factors, not creatine specifically.

Nutra Botanics Editorial Team

Nutra Botanics Editorial Team

Our research team reviews peer-reviewed literature to bring you accurate, evidence-based supplement guidance. We prioritize studies over marketing claims and transparency over trends.

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Key Takeaway

Summary

Related reading: Creatine for Women, Creatine for Beginners, How to Take Creatine, When to Take Creatine.

  • The creatine hair loss claim originates from a single 2009 study with 20 participants that measured DHT levels — not hair loss. Hair loss was never observed, measured, or reported.*
  • The DHT increase found in that study, while statistically significant, kept participants within the normal male physiological DHT range.*
  • No study in over 500 peer-reviewed creatine trials has documented hair loss as a side effect or outcome.*
  • Hair loss from androgenetic alopecia requires a genetic predisposition (sensitized AR gene). Without it, even elevated DHT does not cause pattern baldness.*
  • For people with a strong family history of male pattern baldness who are already managing active hair loss, discussing any supplementation with a dermatologist is a sensible precaution — not specifically a creatine issue.
  • For the vast majority of people, the hair loss concern does not represent a meaningful reason to avoid creatine supplementation.*

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning any new supplement regimen, particularly if you have a medical condition or take prescription medications.

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