Does Masturbation Cause Hair Loss?

Article Summary

Theories about the causes of hair loss abound online. A potential link with masturbation is among the more curious of these ideas. Interestingly, there is a range of molecular mechanisms that may form the biological basis for the connection between masturbation and hair loss. But do they stand up to scientific scrutiny? We dig into the science behind the most compelling arguments and find out what the evidence actually says.

Full Article

Throughout human history, cultures and systems of medicine have placed enormous importance on the role of semen. In Indian Ayurvedic medicine, semen sits at the top of the hierarchy of bodily fluids, while the ancient Greeks believed it was a precious substance whose production was physiologically costly. In Chinese Taoist philosophy, semen was considered a physical manifestation of jing, one of the three fundamental treasures of the body.^[1]Roushan, R., Suthar, M. R. (2019). Shukra dhatu of Ayurveda and its affiliates in modern perspective: a review. *Journal of Advanced Scientific Research.* 10(4). 32–39. Available at: … Continue reading,^[2]Aristotle. (350 BC). On the soul. *Infomotions.* Available at: http://infomotions.com/etexts/philosophy/400BC-301BC/aristotle-on-270.htm,^[3]Gardner, H. (2025). A clinical and philosophical exploration of Jing 精. *Mayway Herbs.* (Accessed:April 2026) Available at: … Continue reading

In America, 19th- and 20th-century physicians like Sylvester Graham (of Graham cracker fame) and John Harvey Kellogg (of cornflakes fame) believed so strongly that semen loss was medically dangerous that they developed bland foods, in part, to reduce sexual urges.^[4]Eschner, K. (2017). Graham crackers were supposed to be a sex drive-suppressing diet food. *Smithsonian Magazine.* Available at: … Continue reading,^[5]Mayyasi, A. (2016). The surprising reason why Dr. John Harvey Kellogg invented corn flakes. *Forbes.* (Accessed:April 2026) Available at: … Continue reading

These ideas persist to this day. The modern semen retention movement, most prominent in the online “NoFap” community, has gained a significant following and some coverage in the mainstream media. Proponents of semen retention argue that it can lead to increased testosterone, energy, and mental clarity.^[6]Kelly, D. (2021). Nofap: can giving up masturbation really boost men’s testosterone levels? An expert’s view. *The Conversation.* Available at: … Continue reading

Perhaps because of increased interest in the (scientifically unfounded) benefits of semen retention, theories relating masturbation to hair loss have emerged online. While many of these claims are easy to dismiss, some invoke genuine biological mechanisms and can appear superficially convincing. In this article, we’ll examine the most substantial arguments and weigh them against the evidence.

All-Natural Hair Supplement

The top natural ingredients for hair growth, all in one supplement.

Take the next step in your hair growth journey with a world-class natural supplement. Ingredients, doses, & concentrations built by science.

Shop Supplements

The Prolactin & Hormonal Disruption Argument

Prolactin is a hormone most commonly associated with pregnancy: it’s involved in mammary gland development and lactation, and plays an important role during fetal development. However, prolactin receptors are also expressed directly in human scalp hair follicles, and the skin itself produces prolactin locally, meaning hair follicles are both a target and a source of the hormone.^[7]Foitzik, K., Krause, K., Conrad, F., Nakamura, M., Funk, W., Paus, R. (2006). Human scalp hair follicles are both a target and a source of prolactin, which serves as an autocrine and/or paracrine … Continue reading

Chronically high levels of prolactin, characteristic of a condition called hyperprolactinemia, are associated with hair loss in some cases.^[8]Ziai, M., Cifuentes, L., Grosber, M., McIntyre, M., Prucha, H., Ring, J. and Chen, W. (2015). Diffuse hair loss associated with hyperprolactinaemia: report of three cases. *Journal of the European … Continue reading Some laboratory studies have demonstrated that prolactin can disrupt hormonal regulation of the hair growth cycle, ultimately acting to shorten the growth phase of hair follicles. Some very recent research, presented at a dermatology conference in 2026, suggests that blocking prolactin may promote hair growth via follicular stem cell activation.^[9]Foitzik, K., Krause, K., Conrad, F., Nakamura, M., Funk, W., Paus, R. (2006). Human scalp hair follicles are both a target and a source of prolactin, which serves as an autocrine and/or paracrine … Continue reading,^[10]Practical Dermatology. (2026). Prolactin receptor blockade may promote hair growth via follicular stem cell activation. *Practical Dermatology.* (Accessed:April 2026) Available at: … Continue reading

What Does Prolactin Have to Do With Masturbation? 

Interestingly, orgasm is one of the most reliable triggers of acute prolactin release, a phenomenon well-documented in both men and women. Critically, prolactin is only released upon orgasm; sexual arousal without orgasm does not produce the same elevation. The surge begins with ejaculation or orgasm and remains elevated for over 60 minutes before returning to baseline.^[11]Krysiak, R., Drosdzol-Cop, A., Skrzypulec-Plinta, V., Okopien, B. (2016). Sexual function and depressive symptoms in young women with elevated macroprolactin content: a pilot study. *Endocrine.* … Continue reading

The argument, then, is clear: masturbation increases prolactin, and prolactin causes hair loss.

Does the Theory Hold Up to Scrutiny?

An important factor to consider is the levels of prolactin at play. Normal serum prolactin content is around 15-20 ng/ml in men, and around 20-25 ng/ml in women. Spikes associated with intercourse can see levels rise by around 6 ng/ml in men and women.^[13]Kaur, J., Bhusal, K. (2025). Hyperprolactinemia. *StatPearls.* Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537331/,^[14]Brody, S., Krüger, T.H.C. (2006). The post-orgasmic prolactin increase following intercourse is greater than following masturbation and suggests greater satiety. *Biological Psychology.* 71(3). … Continue reading 

However, experiments linking prolactin to hair growth regulation have used a concentration of 400 ng/ml. What’s more, hyperprolactinemia, which may be associated with hair loss in a small number of cases, can cause prolactin levels to rise above 50 ng/ml, sometimes exceeding 500 ng/ml. This high concentration is chronic, persisting over the course of many months and years.^[15]Kaur, J., Bhusal, K. (2025). Hyperprolactinemia. *StatPearls.* (Accessed:April 2026) Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537331/ 

The physical effort required to maintain chronically high levels of prolactin through intercourse or masturbation alone would be superhuman. Furthermore, the spike in prolactin is actually significantly higher following intercourse than it is from masturbation, meaning the issue would impact highly sexually active individuals to a greater extent. 

The Testosterone & DHT Hypothesis

Another hormone that may spike after masturbation and sexual activity is testosterone. Testosterone plays an important role in hair loss, though its direct causal impact is sometimes overstated. 

Testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can bind to hair follicles, causing them to shrink and produce thinner, shorter hairs. DHT is widely appreciated as the primary driver of androgenic alopecia (pattern baldness).^[16]Kash, N., Leavitt, M., Leavitt, A., Hawkins, S.D., Roopani, R.B. (2021). Clinical patterns of hair loss in men: Is dihydrotestosterone the only culprit? *Dermatologic Clinics.* 39(3). 361–370. … Continue reading This leads some people to the conclusion that more testosterone means increased hair loss.

However, DHT activity at the scalp is determined by a wide range of factors. Only a small fraction of testosterone is converted to DHT, and this process is governed by an enzyme called 5α-reductase (5AR).^[17]Salisbury, B.H., Leslie, S.W., Tadi, P. (2024). 5α-reductase inhibitors. *StatPearls.* (Accessed:April 2026) Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555930/ Therefore, the level of 5AR at the scalp and the sensitivity of hair follicles to DHT are the main drivers of susceptibility to hair loss, rather than total levels of testosterone.

Still, increasing the total amount of testosterone in circulation will inevitably mean more is available for conversion to DHT. This is apparent in cases where testosterone is artificially boosted, like for athletes using performance-enhancing testosterone.

How Much Does Masturbation Increase Testosterone?

As we saw in the case of prolactin, the increase in testosterone following orgasm is small and transient. There is very limited data available from studies investigating the relationship between sexual activity and testosterone release, while the data that is available doesn’t paint a clear picture.

A 2020 study of only seven men found that testosterone rose progressively from erection to ejaculation before returning to baseline within 10 minutes. Another small study, published in 2021, found no statistically significant change in total testosterone after masturbation.^[18]Kobori, Y., Osaka, A., Iwahata, T., Okada, H. (2020). Serum testosterone level rises drastically at the moment of ejaculation. *Fertility and Sterility.* 114(3). e391. Available at: … Continue reading,^[19]Isenmann, E., Schumann, M., Notbohm, H. L., Flenker, U., & Zimmer, P. (2021). Hormonal response after masturbation in young healthy men – a randomized controlled cross-over pilot study. *Basic … Continue reading

It is hard, therefore, to make any sort of direct link between masturbation and hair loss related to testosterone. The evidence suggesting that masturbation raises testosterone is limited, and any increases are likely to be small and short-lived. Even in cases of major spikes in testosterone, these are unlikely to be a major contributing factor in hair loss. 

The Oxytocin Argument

A related hypothesis connects the release of oxytocin to testosterone activity, and therefore to hair loss. Oxytocin is best known for its role as a neurotransmitter; it is released during physical touch, promotes trust and care in social interactions, reduces stress and anxiety, and is central to the development of pair bonding. As such, oxytocin is sometimes called the ‘love hormone’, though this oversimplifies its complex role in the development of human relationships.^[20]Carter, C. S. (2022). Oxytocin and love: Myths, metaphors and mysteries. *Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology.* 9. 100107. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpnec.2021.100107

Importantly, oxytocin levels surge at orgasm for both sexes. 

How Does Oxytocin Increase Testosterone?

Some research has suggested that oxytocin stimulates the conversion of testosterone into DHT. This could potentially have a greater impact on hair loss than altering total testosterone levels alone; we’ve already discussed the central role DHT plays in androgenic alopecia. 

Increases in DHT in response to oxytocin have mostly been explored in relation to benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer, which are both heavily impacted by androgen signaling. In mouse and cell models, oxytocin can reliably increase DHT in the prostate.^[21]Assinder, S. J., Johnson, C., King, K., Nicholson, H. D. (2004). Regulation of 5α-reductase isoforms by oxytocin in the rat ventral prostate. *Endocrinology.* 145(12). 5767–5773. Available at: … Continue reading,^[22]Assinder, S.J. (2008). Oxytocin increases 5α‐reductase activity of human prostate epithelial cells, but not stromal cells. *The Prostate.* 68(2). 115–121. Available at: … Continue reading

However, the picture of what’s going on at the scalp is much less clear. A 2023 study using human hair follicle cells in the lab found that oxytocin might actually act to promote hair growth. On the other hand, research published in 2024 found that blocking oxytocin receptors might help hair grow, suggesting that oxytocin signaling may contribute to hair loss.^[23]Kageyama, T., Seo, J., Yan, L., Fukuda, J. (2023). Effects of oxytocin on the hair growth ability of dermal papilla cells. *Scientific Reports.* 13(1). 15587. Available at: … Continue reading,^[24]Kageyama, T., Seo, J., Yan, L., & Fukuda, J. (2024). Effects of oxytocin receptor agonists on hair growth promotion. *Scientific Reports.* 14(1). 23935. Available at: … Continue reading

Does the Oxytocin Argument Hold Up To Scrutiny?

The mechanism underlying the theory is plausible. Oxytocin does seem to contribute to DHT production, which directly contributes to hair loss. 

However, we come across the same problem we saw with prolactin and testosterone. Surges in oxytocin are short-lived, whereas hair loss is a chronic condition that develops over many years. What’s more, there are many parts of everyday life that can cause bursts of oxytocin: personal touch and hugging, petting a dog, massages, shared meals, exercise, music and singing. 

It would be impossible to distinguish the contributions of many of life’s small joys to overall oxytocin levels. In this context, singling out masturbation as a direct causative factor is unfounded. 

The Stress Argument

Chronic psychological stress is a well-established trigger for telogen effluvium, a form of diffuse hair shedding. Since cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, rises during sexual activity, some have argued that frequent masturbation could chronically elevate cortisol levels and trigger this process.^[26]Thom, E. (2016). Stress and the hair growth cycle: cortisol-induced hair growth disruption. *Journal of Drugs in Dermatology: JDD.* 15(8). 1001–1004.

The argument has the same fundamental flaw we have seen repeatedly: the cortisol response to sexual activity is acute and short-lived, bearing no resemblance to the kind of sustained, significant stress burden required to cause telogen effluvium. If brief cortisol spikes were sufficient to cause hair loss, exercise would carry the same risk.

In fact, the evidence suggests the opposite: masturbation and orgasm are generally associated with stress reduction.^[27]Brody, S. (2006). Blood pressure reactivity to stress is better for people who recently had penile–vaginal intercourse than for people who had other or no sexual activity. *Biological Psychology.* … Continue reading

Is There Any Evidence That Masturbation Causes Hair Loss?

Unfortunately, many of the theories we’ve looked at here are typical of the pseudoscientific, poorly supported arguments that often surround hot-button issues on the internet. They incorporate a foundation of real biology, but make substantial logical leaps in arriving at their conclusions.

The mechanism is often oversimplified and decontextualized: activity A increases molecule B, and molecule B is implicated in hair loss. Therefore, activity A causes hair loss. As we’ve seen, these theories rarely stand up to scrutiny and are not backed up by clinical evidence.

There is currently no clinical evidence that masturbation causes hair loss. Of the few studies that have investigated the connection indirectly, none have found any evidence of a correlation. 

Final Thoughts

Discussions around sexual activity and masturbation can evoke strong emotional responses, and our thoughts on these issues are typically tied to broader views on the place of sex in society. Arguments surrounding masturbation and hair loss, and semen retention more broadly, may represent moralistic views on self-control rather than scientific hypotheses built on robust evidence. 

There are well-evidenced physical and psychological risks associated with excessive masturbation. However, increased risk of hair loss is not currently one of them. If you are concerned about hair loss, the cause is far more likely to be found in your genetics, your diet, or your stress levels than in your sexual habits.