Does creatine cause hair loss?
Weak EvidenceNO
A single 2009 study found creatine raised DHT levels in rugby players, but no study has directly measured hair loss from creatine use. The fear is largely unsupported by current evidence.
The Verdict
A single 2009 study found creatine raised DHT levels in rugby players, but no study has directly measured hair loss from creatine use. The fear is largely unsupported by current evidence.
What the Evidence Shows
The concern stems from one small RCT in college-aged rugby players that showed a 56% increase in dihydrotestosterone (DHT) after a creatine loading phase. DHT is linked to androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) in genetically predisposed individuals. However, no follow-up studies have replicated this DHT finding, and critically, no study has ever measured actual hair loss as an outcome in creatine users. The original study had only 20 participants and was not designed to assess hair health. Multiple systematic reviews of creatine safety have not identified hair loss as a side effect.
Evidence Quality
1
Meta-Analyses
1
RCTs
2
Observational
Important Caveats
- ⚠️ Only one study has examined creatine's effect on DHT, with just 20 participants
- ⚠️ No study has directly measured hair loss or hair density in creatine users
- ⚠️ Individuals genetically predisposed to male pattern baldness may theoretically be at higher risk
- ⚠️ The DHT increase observed was within normal physiological range
Population Studied
Male college-aged rugby players (original DHT study); general population in safety reviews
Dosage
Original study used 25g/day loading for 7 days, then 5g/day maintenance for 14 days
Duration
DHT study lasted 3 weeks total; no long-term hair-specific monitoring exists
Supporting Studies (2)
Three weeks of creatine monohydrate supplementation affects dihydrotestosterone to testosterone ratio in college-aged rugby players
RCTvan der Merwe J, Brooks NE, Myburgh KH. · Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine (2009)
Creatine loading increased DHT by 56% and the DHT:T ratio remained elevated after 14 days of maintenance dosing.
View paper (DOI) →Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show?
Systematic ReviewAntonio J, Candow DG, Forbes SC, et al. · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2021)
Reviewed the hair loss concern and concluded that the single DHT study has not been replicated and no direct evidence links creatine to hair loss.
View paper (DOI) →Contradicting Studies (1)
International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine
Systematic ReviewKreider RB, Kalman DS, Antonio J, et al. · Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2017)
Comprehensive safety review found no clinically significant side effects of creatine supplementation across hundreds of studies.
Why this disagrees:
Extensive safety data across many studies and populations has not identified hair loss as a reported adverse effect, contradicting the popular fear based on a single unreplicated DHT finding.
Related Claims
Does creatine supplementation improve cognitive function?
Moderate EvidenceModerate evidence suggests creatine may improve short-term memory and reasoning ability, particularly under conditions of sleep deprivation or cognitive stress. Effects in well-rested, healthy adults are smaller and less consistent.
Is creatine safe for long-term use?
Strong EvidenceCreatine monohydrate is one of the most extensively studied sports supplements. Decades of research in healthy adults show no evidence of kidney, liver, or cardiovascular harm at recommended doses.