The Hidden Role of DHT in Women’s Hair Loss: What Every Woman in Perimenopause Needs to Know

Christine McMillan
Sep 25
3 min read

If you’ve noticed your hair thinning in your 40s or 50s, you’re not alone. Many women in perimenopause see changes in volume, texture, and shedding that feel sudden and unexplained. While hormones are often blamed, there’s one specific hormone byproduct that plays a huge role in female hair loss: DHT (dihydrotestosterone).

As a trichologist and hair loss specialist in Buford, GA, I work with women across Gwinnett County to uncover whether DHT is driving their shedding — and, more importantly, how to slow it down.

What Exactly Is DHT?

DHT is a byproduct of testosterone. Even though women have lower testosterone than men, the body still converts some of it into DHT through an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase.

Once formed, DHT attaches to receptors in the hair follicle. Over time, this attachment causes miniaturization. During this process follicles shrink, hair becomes finer and shorter, and eventually, new growth slows or stops.

Why Perimenopause Triggers Sensitivity to DHT

Perimenopause is a time of major hormonal change. Estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that protect hair, begin to decline. Without their balancing effect, androgens like testosterone become more dominant in the body.

This shift makes your follicles more sensitive to DHT, which explains why many women experience their first signs of female pattern thinning during perimenopause.

Signs That DHT May Be Behind Your Hair Loss

DHT-related hair loss often looks different in women than in men. Instead of receding hairlines, women tend to notice:

A widening part line
Thinning at the crown of the head
Reduced density across the scalp
Hair that feels finer, weaker, or harder to style
More scalp visibility in bright lighting

These signs can be subtle at first, but over time they become more noticeable.

How a Trichologist Identifies DHT Driven Hair Loss

Unlike a general stylist or even many medical providers, a trichologist is trained to look at both scalp health and the underlying systemic factors. At Scalp Garden Buford, I use:

Scalp imaging to check follicle miniaturization patterns
Clinical history (family hair loss, hormone shifts, stress, medications)
Lifestyle review to see how diet, stress, or sleep may be playing a role
Lab work referrals for hormone and nutrient levels if needed

This whole-picture approach helps identify whether DHT is the main driver or just one piece of the puzzle.

Can You Block DHT?

The good news is that there are ways to reduce the impact of DHT on your follicles.

Options may include:

Topical DHT blockers such as natural botanicals (saw palmetto, green tea extract) or physician-prescribed solutions
Professional scalp treatments to strengthen follicles under stress
Nutritional support to correct deficiencies that make follicles more vulnerable
Stress management to lower cortisol, which can worsen androgen sensitivity

As a trichologist, I build customized plans for each woman because DHT rarely acts alone. Hormones, nutrition, stress, and genetics often overlap.

Local Perspective: Hair Loss Help in Buford & Gwinnett

One of the biggest frustrations I hear from women is that they’ve been told “hair loss is normal at your age” or given only surface level advice. The reality? Perimenopausal hair loss is common, but it’s not untreatable.

At Scalp Garden in Buford, GA, I work with women throughout Gwinnett County to uncover whether DHT is driving their hair loss and guide them through professional, natural, and evidence based treatments.

Taking the Next Step

If your hair feels different than it used to, (thinner, weaker, or just not growing the way it once did) DHT may be part of the reason. But you don’t have to guess.

Working with a trichologist and hair loss specialist can give you answers, targeted care, and a clear plan forward.

Ready to take the next step? Book a Know Your Roots consultation at Scalp Garden Buford and let’s find out if DHT is the missing link in you

r hair story.