DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is a hormone that plays a key role in the sexual development of people assigned male at birth (AMAB) . DHT is an androgen, a male sex hormone, that stimulates the development of masculine characteristics such as body hair, muscle growth, and a deep voice. DHT is produced naturally in both males and females, but it is present in much greater quantities in men. A mans body produces more testosterone, which is converted into DHT. Excess testosterone production can cause DHT to increase.
Conditions that exhibit increased DHT activity include benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer, and male pattern hair loss. Higher levels of DHT can also have some positive effects, such as maintaining sexual function in men, heart health, and higher bone density in men.
To increase DHT, testosterone replacement therapy is a treatment option. There are also some lifestyle changes that may help increase the body’s natural production of testosterone, and thus DHT, such as exercise, body fat loss, and nutrition.
