Does Creatine Cause Hair Loss? What the Research Says

If you’ve ever Googled “does creatine cause hair loss,” you’ve probably come away more confused than when you started. Gym bros swear it wrecked their hairline. Scientists say the evidence is thin. Fitness influencers hedge both ways.

So what’s the actual answer?

Here’s the research — without the drama.

Where the Creatine-Hair Loss Claim Comes From

It all traces back to a single study published in 2009 in Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine.

Rugby players took creatine for 3 weeks. Researchers measured their DHT (dihydrotestosterone) levels and found they increased significantly — by about 56% after the loading phase and remained 40% above baseline after maintenance dosing.

DHT is the hormone that causes male pattern baldness. It’s converted from testosterone by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, and it shrinks hair follicles in men who are genetically susceptible.

So the logic follows: creatine → higher DHT → faster hair loss.

But here’s the problem: this study didn’t measure hair loss. It measured DHT. And it’s never been replicated.

What the Study Actually Found

The 2009 study (van der Merwe et al.) is the only published study linking creatine to elevated DHT. It had:

• 20 participants (small sample)
• No hair loss measurements
• No long-term follow-up
• No control for other variables (diet, training intensity, other supplements)

The DHT increase was real and statistically significant. But going from “DHT went up” to “creatine causes hair loss” is a big jump — especially when no other study has replicated the DHT finding.

Does Higher DHT Definitely Cause Hair Loss?

Not on its own. DHT causes hair loss in men who are genetically susceptible — specifically those with a certain version of the androgen receptor gene.

If you have no family history of male pattern baldness, elevated DHT is unlikely to affect your hair noticeably.

If you’re already genetically prone to hair loss, elevated DHT could theoretically accelerate it.

But we don’t know how much of an increase matters, for how long, or whether the temporary spike from creatine loading is enough to make a real difference.

What Other Research Says

Multiple larger studies on creatine have measured testosterone, DHT, and hormone profiles — and found no significant changes in DHT:

• A 2021 review in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition concluded there is insufficient evidence to support a link between creatine supplementation and hair loss.
• A 2018 study in Nutrients followed creatine users for 8 weeks and found no significant DHT elevation.
• A meta-analysis examining creatine’s effects across dozens of trials found no pattern of hormonal disruption.

The scientific consensus is: one small study, never replicated, is not enough to conclude creatine causes hair loss.

So Why Do Some Men Blame Creatine for Their Hair Loss?

A few reasons:

1. Confirmation bias. Men who notice thinning while taking creatine attribute it to creatine. Men who take creatine and don’t lose hair don’t think twice about it.

2. Timing. Most men start lifting seriously in their 20s — exactly when male pattern baldness also starts. They’re often taking creatine at the same time their hair naturally begins to thin.

3. Increased training intensity. More training = more testosterone production = more potential DHT conversion. The creatine may not be the issue.

4. The nocebo effect. Reading “creatine causes hair loss” can make you hyperaware of your hairline in a way that makes normal shedding feel alarming.

Should You Stop Taking Creatine If You’re Worried About Hair Loss?

That depends on your priorities and your risk level.

Low risk (no family history of hair loss): Carry on. The evidence against creatine is weak, and it’s one of the most well-researched, effective, and safe supplements available. Dropping it based on one small study would be a mistake.

Higher risk (already thinning, strong family history): The honest answer is we don’t know for certain. If you’re using finasteride or another DHT-blocker, the theoretical risk is largely neutralised. If you’re not on any treatment and you’re concerned, stopping creatine costs you little — but know that it’s probably not the main driver of your hair loss.

What Actually Causes Hair Loss

If your hair is thinning, creatine is almost certainly not the problem. The real culprits:

• Genetics — by far the biggest factor. If your dad or maternal grandfather went bald, you’re at higher risk.
• DHT sensitivity — determined by your androgen receptor genes
• Age — follicle miniaturisation accelerates from the mid-20s onwards for susceptible men
• Stress and cortisol — can trigger telogen effluvium (diffuse shedding)
• Nutritional deficiencies — iron, zinc, biotin, vitamin D can all contribute

The evidence-based treatments for hair loss are finasteride, minoxidil, and — for some men — PRP therapy. Not quitting creatine.

The Nuanced Take

Here’s the honest, non-hysterical summary:

• One small study found creatine raised DHT levels temporarily
• No study has replicated this, and no study has shown actual hair loss
• DHT is only relevant if you’re genetically susceptible to male pattern baldness
• If you’re already losing hair, creatine is almost certainly not the cause
• If you’re on finasteride (a DHT blocker), any theoretical creatine risk is negated

---

Bottom Line

Creatine almost certainly does not cause hair loss in any meaningful way. One poorly-replicated study from 2009 sparked a myth that’s been amplified by the internet ever since.

If you’re genetically prone to hair loss and genuinely concerned, stopping creatine won’t hurt you. But don’t kid yourself that it’ll fix your hairline — the real driver is your DNA, not your pre-workout stack.

Address actual hair loss with actual treatments. And keep taking your creatine.