Encyclopedia · supplement
Creatine
The idea that creatine causes baldness comes from one 2009 rugby study that never looked at hair; a 2025 randomised trial found no effect on DHT or hair.
What it is
A widely used sports supplement. It is a supplement or food in the US, EU and UK.
What the studies show
- The origin of the myth (20 rugby players, 3 weeks): a double-blind crossover trial gave creatine loading (25 g/day for 7 days, then 5 g/day). DHT rose 56% after loading and stayed 40% above baseline while testosterone was unchanged. Hair was not measured, and the authors called for further investigation. van der Merwe 2009
- The test (45 resistance-trained men, 12 weeks): creatine 5 g/day vs placebo, with hair measured by trichogram and photographic analysis. There were no group differences in testosterone, DHT, the DHT-to-testosterone ratio, hair density, follicular units or thickness. 38 men completed it. Lak 2025
Bottom line
One RCT with 38 completers (some authors consult for supplement companies) shows that creatine at 5 g/day does not worsen hair over 12 weeks in young men. It cannot rule out an effect over years in men who already carry baldness genes. If you are balding, creatine is not the cause, though it will not stop it either.
Fun facts
- A single 2009 DHT result has fuelled hair-loss fears for more than 15 years, even though that study never looked at hair. van der Merwe 2009
Studies 2
van der Merwe J et al. Three weeks of creatine monohydrate supplementation affects dihydrotestosterone to testosterone ratio in college-aged rugby players. Clin J Sport Med. 2009
Tested: creatine loading 25 g/day for 7 days then 5 g/day vs placebo (crossover)
Result: DHT rose 56% after loading and stayed 40% above baseline; testosterone unchanged; hair was not measured.
Read the study ↗Lak M et al. Does creatine supplementation cause hair loss? 12-week randomized controlled trial. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2025
Tested: creatine 5 g/day vs placebo
Result: No differences in testosterone, DHT, DHT:T ratio, hair density, follicular units or thickness (38 completed).
Read the study ↗Related
- DHT and pattern hair lossPattern hair loss happens when genetically sensitive scalp follicles respond to the hormone DHT by shrinking a little more with every hair cycle.
- Androgens, anabolic steroids and hairTestosterone and other androgens thicken beard and body hair but can start or speed up pattern hair loss in people who are genetically prone.
- FinasterideA prescription pill (and in some countries a scalp spray) that lowers DHT and is the best-proven drug for stopping male pattern hair loss.