Does Masturbation Cause Hair Loss?

No, masturbation does not cause hair loss.

Masturbation has become the stuff of hair loss legend, but don’t worry, Mr. Do-It-Yourself: There is absolutely no scientific evidence linking masturbation to hair loss (or even hair health in general, for that matter).

So, what caused this scintillating myth? Some people reason that because semen contains high levels of protein, each ejaculation deprives the body of the proteins that it could be using for hair growth. It is true that semen is high in protein — it contains about 5.04 grams of protein per 100 milliliters of semen — but each ejaculation contains just 3.7 milliliters of semen, which is a very insignificant amount compared to how much protein the normal person ingests in a single day. To break it down into layman’s terms, you’d have to ejaculate nearly 4 ounces of semen (that’s about half a cup) to match the protein of one egg white.

Other people say that masturbation increases testosterone, which in turn increases levels of DHT (a hormone linked to hair loss). In reality, sexual activity has no measurable effect on testosterone. In fact, a 2001 study found that adult males who abstained from masturbation for three weeks actually had elevated levels of testosterone.

Either way, what goes on down there in no way impacts your look up there. So, you do you — and don’t worry about your hairline taking a hit.

The information provided in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely upon the content provided in this article for specific medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor.