Hair transplant is a popular aesthetic operation that can change a person’s appearance greatly. Many people who suffer from baldness or thinned hair opt for a hair transplant operation to gain a healthy head full of hair back. These operations have improved a lot of people’s lives and allowed patients to make peace with their appearance and gain their confidence back.
However, as with any other surgery, there are some questions that people are curious about. Some patients want to make sure that there are no concerning side effects or results of the surgery before they make their decision on whether they want to get a hair transplant or not. One of those questions is: does hair transplant cause erectile dysfunction?
A healthy sexual life is one of the most important things to every person. So, understandably, you might be wondering if there are any effects of hair transplant operations on sexual health or specifically erectile dysfunction. Here are the answers you are looking for:
In short, a hair transplant operation does not involve any disturbance in the reproductive system. Hence, there is no relation between hair transplant operations and erectile dysfunction. However, certain products are known to have side effects like erectile dysfunction.
Do any other hair loss treatment cause ED?
Hair transplant operations do not cause erectile dysfunction (ED). But you may have heard about a connection between hair loss treatments and ED. So you might be wondering: do any other hair loss treatment cause ED? Here, we have gone over the relationship between different hair loss treatments and erectile dysfunction.
1- Finasteride
Finasteride is likely the source of rumours about the connection between hair loss treatments and erectile dysfunction. It is a widely used medication for hair loss treatment, and Finasteride can be used before and after hair transplant. Finasteride works by blocking the action of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase which is an enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. Because DHT is the responsible compound for male pattern hair loss, this intervention leads to decreased hair fallout. However, some studies show that interfering with the action of testosterone might lead to temporary erectile dysfunction for a small percentage. Dr Russell Knudsen outlines that in one study only 1.8% of the people experienced sexual side effects of Finasteride, which is only 0.5% higher than the placebo group who don’t use the medication.
Also, it is important to note that this side effect is rare and temporary. Once you stop using finasteride, you will stop seeing an effect on sexual performance.
2- Minoxidil
Minoxidil is another medication that is widely used for hair loss treatment. However, as opposed to finasteride, minoxidil does not interfere with enzymatic functions. Minoxidil works by increasing blood flow around the hair follicles and stimulating follicle movement to the growth phase. This is why Minoxidil does not have a relation with erectile dysfunction.
3- PRP
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) hair treatment is another popular hair loss treatment that has proven to provide great results. Similar to Minoxidil, PRP treatment works by stimulating hair growth. PRP treatment involves the use of blood plasma which is rich in growth agents. This plasma is separated from the patient’s blood. Since PRP treatment does not involve an intervention of enzymatic activity it does not cause erectile dysfunction.
Is there any correlation between hair transplant and cause erectile dysfunction?
A hair transplant operation involves the relocation of healthy hair follicles from a donor to a recipient area. The procedure only affects the hair follicles, and the scalp, hence has no effect on the reproductive system. If you have any concerns about sexual health, rest assured that hair transplant operations do not cause erectile dysfunction.
Some patients do report that they have such problems right after the surgery, but any type of long surgery and getting anaesthetics inside the body can decrease the libido, which is something temporary.
On the contrary, achieving an appearance you feel comfortable with can increase your libido and improve your sexual life. Many people state that their confidence has improved after their hair transplant operation, and they have been feeling better about themselves after the treatment.
Does a hair transplant affect fertility?
Similarly, you might have questions about fertility after a hair transplant. Because a hair transplant operation is a non-invasive aesthetic operation, it has no effect on fertility. If you are considering getting a hair transplant operation but worried about its effects o fertility or sexual health, you have nothing to be worried about. You can consult your surgeon if you have any further questions.
