Can An STD Cause Hair Loss? How STIs Like Syphilis, Herpes & Gonorrhea Can Affect Your Hair

Can a sexually transmitted infection (STI) cause your hair to fall out? While it might not be the first symptom that comes to mind, certain STIs can sometimes lead to unexpected effects on the body, including hair loss. In this article, we’ll explain how infections like syphilis may cause a specific type of hair loss known as alopecia syphilitica, and whether other common STIs could have a similar impact. We’ll also look at the signs to watch out for, how hair loss linked to an STI is diagnosed, and what treatment options are available.

Key Takeaways

Here are the five biggest takeaways from this article about whether an STD can cause hair loss:

• Syphilis can lead to syphilitic alopecia, a condition that causes patchy or diffuse hair thinning on the scalp, beard, or eyebrows.

• Unlike syphilis, gonorrhoea does not cause hair loss.

• Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is not a direct cause of hair loss; however, severe outbreaks or associated stress may trigger telogen effluvium, a temporary form of hair shedding.

• While chlamydia itself does not cause hair loss, rare side effects of treatments (such as azithromycin) or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) may lead to temporary hair thinning.

• In most cases, once the underlying infection is diagnosed and properly treated, any related hair loss tends to reverse.

Hair loss associated with the secondary stage of Syphilis (Alopecia Syphilitica)

Yes, some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly syphilis, can cause hair loss. This type of hair loss is most commonly linked to the secondary stage of syphilis and is known as syphilitic alopecia or alopecia syphilitica. It typically presents as patchy thinning of the hair on the scalp, although in some cases it can also lead to more generalised hair loss affecting areas such as beards and eyebrows [1].

The exact cause of this hair loss is not fully understood, but current research suggests that the syphilis infection may disrupt the normal hair growth cycle, possibly through an immune or inflammatory response in the body [2]. While syphilitic alopecia can be concerning, it is important to note that the condition is usually reversible once the underlying infection is treated. Treatments for syphilis include penicillin, doxycycline or azithromycin.

Hair loss can be one of the more visible signs of secondary syphilis. In some rare cases, it may even be the only symptom someone experiences, which is why it’s important to consider STI testing if you develop unexplained hair loss [3].

Can gonorrhea cause hair loss?

No, gonorrhoea does not directly cause hair loss. Unlike syphilis, which is known to lead to a type of hair thinning called syphilitic alopecia, gonorrhoea is not typically linked to hair loss as a symptom.

Hair loss associated with certain STIs usually occurs due to the body’s immune response or as a result of inflammation or secondary infections. However, this kind of reaction is not commonly seen with gonorrhea, and there is no substantial evidence to suggest that the disease itself affects the hair or scalp. 

If you are experiencing hair loss and are concerned about STIs, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional for the appropriate tests and advice.

Can herpes cause hair loss?

Herpes simplex virus (HSV), including genital herpes, is not known to directly cause hair loss. However, in some cases, it may be linked to factors that can contribute to hair thinning or shedding. For example, severe or prolonged herpes can place stress on the body, which may trigger a temporary form of hair loss known as telogen effluvium. This happens when physical or emotional stress pushes hair follicles into a resting phase, leading to increased shedding a few months later.

As well as this, certain antiviral medications used to treat herpes, such as aciclovir, have, in rare cases, been associated with hair loss, although this is not a common side effect [4]. It’s also worth noting that people experiencing repeated outbreaks may turn to various home remedies or over-the-counter treatments, some of which could irritate the scalp and potentially cause hair damage.

While herpes itself is not a direct cause of hair loss, it can be linked to situations that affect hair health. If you’re concerned about hair loss and have herpes, it’s important to speak to your healthcare provider for advice and support.

Can chlamydia cause hair loss?

Chlamydia is not known to directly cause hair loss. However, in some cases, hair thinning or shedding may occur because of certain treatments or complications linked to the infection. For example, azithromycin,  a commonly prescribed antibiotic for chlamydia, has been known, although rarely, to cause hair loss as a side effect.

If chlamydia is left untreated, it can lead to complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This condition causes inflammation in the reproductive organs and can place stress on the body. This kind of physical stress may disrupt the normal hair growth cycle, potentially leading to temporary hair loss.

While hair loss is not a common symptom of chlamydia, it’s important to complete any prescribed treatment and seek medical advice if you notice unexpected changes to your hair or overall health.

Final Thoughts

While most sexually transmitted infections (STIs) do not directly cause hair loss, some, such as syphilis, can lead to noticeable changes in hair growth. Syphilitic alopecia is a recognised symptom of secondary syphilis and may lead to patchy or diffuse hair thinning. Other infections, including herpes and chlamydia, are not direct causes of hair loss but may be linked to factors such as stress on the body or side effects from treatment. Gonorrhoea, on the other hand, has no known connection to hair loss.

If you are experiencing unexplained hair thinning and are concerned about a possible STI, it’s important to speak to a healthcare professional for testing and advice. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help address both the infection and any related symptoms, including hair loss.

Sources

[1] Rapidly Progressive Hair Loss May Be the Only Sign of Syphilis - The American Journal of Medicine

[2] Secondary syphilis presenting with “crown of Venus” alopecia - PMC

[3] Syphilitic Alopecia: A Report of 5 Cases and a Review of the Literature - ScienceDirect

[4] Alopecia Following Oral Acyclovir for the Treatment of Herpes Simplex Keratitis - PMC

Further Reading

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) - NHS

Alopecia in association with sexually transmitted disease: a review - PubMed