dihydrotestosterone

hormone

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Last updated

June 25, 2026

Quick Summary

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a potent androgen, a type of male sex hormone, that is a biologically active metabolite of testosterone. It is produced in various tissues, including the testes, prostate gland, hair follicles, and muscles, where it plays a crucial role in male development and characteristics.12

DHT is essential for the formation of external genitalia in boys during embryonic development and for sperm maturation during spermatogenesis. It is also responsible for sexual maturation at puberty and contributes to the development of secondary male characteristics such as facial hair and a deepening voice. While testosterone itself has androgenic effects, its conversion to DHT is critical for many of these processes.2

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baldness
Treatment
…reducing the body’s production of dihydrotestosterone, a powerful variant of testosterone that helps cause male pattern baldness.
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…reducing the body’s production of dihydrotestosterone, a powerful variant of testosterone that helps cause male pattern baldness.
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prostate cancer
Causes
…of two active compounds—estradiol or dihydrotestosterone. Whereas estradiol promotes the growth of prostate cancer cells, dihydrotestosterone inhibits the programmed death (apoptosis) of those cells. Testosterone itself appears to play a central role in maintaining prostate cells and stimulating apoptosis when abnormal cells arise. However, the mechanism by which testosterone and…
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…of two active compounds—estradiol or dihydrotestosterone. Whereas estradiol promotes the growth of prostate cancer cells, dihydrotestosterone inhibits the programmed death (apoptosis) of those cells. Testosterone itself appears to play a central role in maintaining prostate cells and stimulating apoptosis when abnormal cells arise. However, the mechanism by which testosterone and…
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testosterone
…a more active androgen called dihydrotestosterone. Testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone in most tissues that are sensitive to androgens, including the testes, prostate gland, hair follicles, and muscles. Although testosterone itself has androgenic actions, its conversion to dihydrotestosterone is critical to the development of external genitalia in boys. Testosterone is…
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…a more active androgen called dihydrotestosterone. Testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone in most tissues that are sensitive to androgens, including the testes, prostate gland, hair follicles, and muscles. Although testosterone itself has androgenic actions, its conversion to dihydrotestosterone is critical to the development of external genitalia in boys. Testosterone is…
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