Does Creatine Actually Cause Hair Loss? The Real Science Explained

The Infamous 2009 Rugby Study

If you've spent any time on fitness forums, you've probably heard the rumor: creatine causes hair loss. This persistent myth stems almost entirely from a single study published in 2009 involving college-aged rugby players.

In this study, players who supplemented with creatine saw a 56% increase in a hormone called DHT (dihydrotestosterone) after a 7-day loading phase. DHT is an androgen that is known to contribute to male pattern baldness in individuals who are genetically predisposed to it.

So, Should You Throw Away Your Creatine?

Not so fast. Since that 2009 study, dozens of subsequent clinical trials have been conducted, and the scientific consensus has dramatically shifted. Here is what you need to know:

• No Direct Link: No study has ever directly linked creatine supplementation to hair loss or baldness.
• The DHT Spikes: Even in the original study, the DHT levels of the athletes remained well within the normal clinical range. A 56% increase sounds scary, but it was an increase from a low baseline to a normal baseline.
• Lack of Replication: Twelve other studies have investigated the effects of creatine on testosterone and DHT since 2009. None of them have been able to replicate the significant spikes in DHT found in the rugby study.

The Verdict

According to the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), the claim that creatine causes hair loss is officially classified as a myth. If you are genetically predisposed to male pattern baldness, your hair loss is driven by your genetic sensitivity to DHT, not by your pre-workout scoop.

Here at TaQlon, an Accra-based sports nutrition brand, we believe in science over rumors. Rest easy, keep taking your 5 grams a day, and enjoy the strength gains without worrying about your hairline.