Last Updated: March 2026
Creatine monohydrate is one of the most researched and effective supplements for increasing strength, lean muscle mass, and exercise performance. Emerging research also suggests creatine may support brain health, making it one of the most widely recommended supplements for both physical and cognitive performance.
Despite decades of research supporting its safety and effectiveness, a persistent myth continues to circulate online: that creatine causes hair loss.
This concern largely stems from a single study published in 2009 that reported an increase in dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in rugby players supplementing with creatine. Because DHT is associated with male pattern baldness, the findings led many people to speculate that creatine supplementation may accelerate hair loss.
In this article, we’ll examine the 2009 study, explain how DHT influences hair loss, and review the latest scientific research on creatine supplementation and hair health.
Creatine and Hair Loss: Key Takeaways
- The belief that creatine causes hair loss comes primarily from one 2009 study that reported a temporary increase in DHT levels in rugby players.
- That study did not measure hair loss or hair follicle health.
- Subsequent research has not consistently replicated increases in DHT from creatine supplementation.
- A 2025 randomized controlled trial directly measured hair density, follicle health, and hormone levels during creatine supplementation.
- The study found no differences in hair growth, hair density, or DHT levels between creatine and placebo groups.
- Current scientific evidence does not support the claim that creatine causes hair loss.
Where the Creatine Hair Loss Myth Started
The belief that creatine supplementation causes hair loss can be traced back to a study published in 2009 involving college-aged rugby players. In this study, researchers measured hormone levels before and after participants supplemented with creatine for 21 days.
The Study Design
• Participants: 20 college-aged rugby players
• Loading Phase: 25 g of creatine monohydrate daily for 7 days
• Maintenance Phase: 5 g of creatine monohydrate daily for 14 days
• Control: A placebo group followed the same timeline
The Findings
• Serum DHT increased by 56% after the 7-day loading phase
• DHT levels remained 40% above baseline during the 14-day maintenance phase
• Total testosterone levels did not change significantly, meaning the ratio of DHT to testosterone increased
2009 Creatine & DHT Study Summary
| Study | Participants | Duration | Key Finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| van der Merwe et al., 2009 | 20 rugby players | 21 days | DHT increased during creatine loading, but hair loss was not measured |
Based on these findings, researchers hypothesized that creatine supplementation might increase the activity of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone into DHT.
However, several important points about this study are often overlooked.
First, the researchers did not measure hair loss or hair follicle health. The study only measured hormone levels.
Second, the participants’ DHT levels remained within the normal physiological range for healthy young men.
Finally, no other studies have replicated these findings showing an increase in DHT levels from creatine supplementation.
So why did this single study create such widespread fear about hair loss?
What is DHT and How Does it Affect Hair Loss?
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a potent androgen hormone produced when the enzyme 5-alpha reductase converts testosterone into DHT.
In individuals who are genetically predisposed to male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia), DHT can bind to androgen receptors in hair follicles. Over time, this interaction can cause the follicles to gradually shrink, shortening the hair growth phase and producing thinner hair strands.
However, DHT alone does not cause hair loss.
Many individuals with normal (or even elevated) DHT levels never experience hair loss. Hair loss typically occurs when multiple factors are present, including:
• Genetic susceptibility to androgenetic alopecia
• Increased androgen receptor sensitivity in hair follicles
• Long-term exposure to DHT
Returning to the 2009 study, simply observing a temporary increase in DHT levels, still within the normal physiological range, does not necessarily mean that hair loss would occur.
Fortunately, newer research has directly investigated this question.
What the Latest Research Shows
A 2025 randomized controlled trial titled “Does Creatine Cause Hair Loss? A 12-Week Randomized Controlled Trial” directly investigated whether creatine supplementation affects hormone levels or hair follicle health.
Unlike the 2009 study, researchers used advanced clinical tools, including Trichogram analysis and the FotoFinder imaging system, to measure hair density, follicular unit count, and cumulative hair thickness.
This study represents the first controlled trial to directly examine hair follicle health during creatine supplementation.
Researchers also measured several hormones related to hair loss, including:
• Total testosterone
• Free testosterone
• Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
The Study Design
• Participants: 45 resistance-trained males aged 18–40
• Dosage: 5 g of creatine monohydrate daily for 12 weeks
• Control: A placebo group followed the same timeline
The Findings
• No Hair Impact: There was no significant difference in hair growth parameters between the creatine and placebo groups after 12 weeks.
• No DHT Increase: Unlike the 2009 study, researchers found no significant difference in DHT levels or the DHT-to-testosterone ratio between the groups.
2025 Creatine Hair Loss Study Summary
| Study | Participants | Duration | Key Finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antonio et al., 2025 | 45 resistance-trained men | 12 weeks | No change in hair density, follicle health, or DHT levels |
After 12 weeks of supplementation, creatine users showed no changes in hair density, follicle health, or hair growth patterns compared with the placebo group.
The researchers concluded that their findings provide “strong evidence against the claim that creatine supplementation contributes to hair loss.”
By directly measuring hair follicle health rather than inferring risk from hormone changes alone, this 2025 study significantly strengthens the scientific evidence surrounding creatine’s safety.
Why This Study Matters
For years, concerns about creatine and hair loss were based largely on a single study that reported an increase in DHT levels without directly measuring hair health.
This new randomized controlled trial measured both hormone levels and objective markers of hair follicle health, providing a much more comprehensive evaluation of whether creatine supplementation could realistically contribute to hair loss.
The results suggest that creatine supplementation does not negatively impact hair density, follicle health, or hair growth patterns in healthy resistance-trained men.
Creatine & Hair Loss Research Comparison
| Study | Participants | Duration | Key Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| van der Merwe 2009 | 20 rugby players | 21 days | DHT increased, hair loss was not measured |
| Antonio 2025 | 45 trained men | 12 weeks | No change in hair density, follicle health, or DHT |
Creatine and Hair Loss: Myth vs Evidence
|
Claim |
What the Evidence Shows |
|
Creatine causes hair loss |
No studies have directly shown creatine causes hair loss |
|
Creatine increases DHT |
One small 2009 study observed a temporary increase in DHT |
|
Higher DHT automatically causes hair loss |
Hair loss depends primarily on genetic susceptibility and follicle sensitivity |
|
Creatine accelerates male pattern baldness |
A 2025 randomized controlled trial found no change in hair density, follicle health, or DHT levels |
|
Creatine is unsafe long term |
Creatine monohydrate is one of the most researched and safest performance supplements |
Conclusion
The claim that creatine causes hair loss is largely based on a single study published in 2009 that observed a temporary increase in DHT levels in rugby players supplementing with creatine. Importantly, that study did not measure hair loss or hair follicle health, and the participants’ hormone levels remained within normal physiological ranges.
More recent research provides a much clearer picture. A 2025 randomized controlled trial directly measured both hormone levels and markers of hair follicle health during creatine supplementation. After 12 weeks, researchers observed no significant differences in hair density, follicle health, hair growth patterns, or DHT levels between the creatine and placebo groups.
Taken together, the current body of evidence does not support the claim that creatine supplementation causes hair loss. While hair loss is influenced by genetics, hormone sensitivity, and long-term androgen exposure, creatine supplementation itself does not appear to meaningfully affect these processes.
Creatine monohydrate remains one of the most well-researched and effective supplements for improving strength, power output, and exercise performance. In addition to its performance benefits, emerging research also suggests creatine may support brain health and cognitive function.
For individuals looking to incorporate creatine into their training routine, a daily dose of 3–5 grams of creatine monohydrate is the most studied and effective protocol.
For example, MATERIA pre-workout provides 5 grams of CreaPure® creatine monohydrate per serving, delivering the clinically studied dose used in many performance studies while also combining other evidence-based ingredients designed to support strength, endurance, and focus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does creatine increase DHT?
Most research shows that creatine supplementation does not significantly increase DHT levels. While a 2009 study reported a temporary rise in DHT in rugby players, the finding has not been consistently replicated in later research, and newer studies measuring both hormones and hair health have found no evidence that creatine increases DHT or contributes to hair loss.
Can creatine accelerate male pattern baldness?
Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is primarily influenced by genetics and androgen receptor sensitivity in hair follicles. Current scientific evidence does not show that creatine supplementation accelerates hair loss in individuals predisposed to male pattern baldness.
Is creatine safe to take long term?
Yes. Creatine monohydrate is one of the most extensively studied dietary supplements, with decades of research demonstrating its safety in healthy individuals when taken at recommended doses.
How much creatine should you take per day?
Most research supports taking 3–5 grams of creatine monohydrate per day to support strength, power output, and muscle performance.
What is the best form of creatine?
Creatine monohydrate is the most researched and consistently effective form of creatine. It has been used in hundreds of scientific studies examining exercise performance, muscle growth, and recovery.
About the Author
Derek Charlebois is the founder of PR-BREAKER® and has over 20 years of experience in strength training, sports nutrition, and performance programming. He has coached athletes and clients for more than two decades and focuses on evidence-based training and supplementation strategies supported by scientific research.
Disclaimer:
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, supplementation, or health routine.
References
1. Antonio J, et al. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2025.
2. van der Merwe J, et al. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. 2009.
