April 2 2007, 9:34 am PT | Posted in: Hair Loss Causes
I’ve recently read that prolactin can potentially cause hair loss. Do levels have to be exceptionally high for this to occur, or can even moderately high levels contribute to thinning hair?
An abnormally high level of prolactin (hyperprolactinemia) is a condition characterized by elevated serum levels of the hormone prolactin in non-pregnant individuals. Hyperprolactinemia may cause progressive pattern hair loss due to an indirect effect on increasing free testosterone level.
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Interestingly, prolactin is raised (in men) after orgasm but the doctors on this site seem convinced that there is no connection between excessive ejaculation and hair loss.
Prolactin triggers the production of the enzyme 5 alpha reductase, according to what I’ve read.