TLDR Transgender and nonbinary individuals experience hair loss, with transmen on testosterone seeing more severe hair loss, while feminizing hormones may stabilize hair loss in transwomen.
In a cross-sectional study conducted in fall 2018, researchers investigated the frequency of scalp hair loss among transgender and gender-nonbinary individuals and its relation to gender-affirming hormone therapy. The study, which had 991 respondents with a 77% completion rate, found that 65% of transwomen, 43% of transmen, and 35% of nonbinary people reported experiencing scalp hair loss or thinning. Notably, transmen on masculinizing hormone therapy (MHT) reported a significant increase in the frequency of hair loss compared to those not on MHT (45% vs. 17%, p = .0019). Transwomen on feminizing hormone therapy (FHT) did not show a significant difference in the frequency of hair loss compared to those not on FHT, but those on FHT reported less severe hair loss. The study concluded that testosterone use in gender minority patients is associated with worse patient-reported androgenetic alopecia (AGA) severity scores, while feminizing hormones may help stabilize hair loss in transwomen. However, the study had limitations, including the lack of a cisgender control group and potential response bias due to the convenience sample from social media.
32 citations,
January 2018 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology” Hormone therapy affects hair growth in transgender individuals, with testosterone potentially causing hair loss in trans men and estrogen reducing facial/body hair in trans women; treatment options vary.
32 citations,
July 2017 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” Finasteride effectively treats hair loss in transgender men with few side effects.
110 citations,
August 2016 in “Drugs” Minoxidil is the only FDA-approved topical drug for treating male or female pattern hair loss, and other medications like finasteride and dutasteride can also increase hair growth.
101 citations,
January 2016 in “Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery” Different types of hair loss need specific treatments, and while many classification systems exist, each has its flaws; more research is needed to refine these systems and treatments.
23 citations,
January 2016 in “Transgender health” Hormone therapy with estradiol and spironolactone can regrow scalp hair in transgender women by lowering testosterone to female levels.
110 citations,
January 2014 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Testosterone treatment in trans men increases body and facial hair and may lead to hair loss over time, but severe skin issues are rare.
June 2023 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” Gender-affirming hormone therapy changes hair growth in transgender people, with feminizing therapy reducing hair and masculinizing therapy increasing it, but sometimes additional treatment is needed.
15 citations,
September 2021 in “Frontiers in Endocrinology” Hormone therapy increases the risk of heart-related issues in transgender women and may affect heart health in transgender men.
4 citations,
July 2021 in “Dermatology and therapy” Hormone therapy increases facial and body hair in transgender men, while hair removal improves well-being in transgender women, but cost is a barrier as insurance often doesn't cover it. Dermatologists can use various treatments for these hair issues.
November 2023 in “Australasian journal of dermatology” Dermatologists are essential in helping transgender and gender diverse patients with skin and hair issues related to gender affirmation and hormone therapy.
21 citations,
April 2019 in “Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America” Transgender patients need proper skin care, especially when undergoing hormone treatments, to manage issues like acne and hair loss.
