TLDR Finasteride 5mg daily is the most effective for female pattern hair loss, with higher doses of treatments generally more effective.
A network meta-analysis study analyzed data from 13 trials to compare the efficacy of minoxidil and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) in treating adult women with pattern hair loss (PHL). The study found that the most effective treatment was 5mg finasteride taken once a day for 24 weeks, followed by 5% topical minoxidil solution applied twice a day for 24 weeks, and 1mg minoxidil taken once a day for 24 weeks. The least effective treatment was 1mg finasteride taken once a day for 24 weeks. The study also suggested a possible dose-dependent effect for oral finasteride, and oral and topical minoxidil, with higher doses showing more efficacy. However, there was no significant difference between 3% and 2% topical minoxidil solution applied twice a day for 24 weeks.
Cited in this study
13 / 13 results
2 citations
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July 2022 in “Frontiers in Medicine” 
13 citations
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February 2022 in “JAMA Dermatology” Dutasteride is the most effective hair loss treatment after 24 weeks, but finasteride leads to the most hair growth after 48 weeks.
3 citations
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January 2022 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” 5 citations
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September 2021 in “Dermatologic Therapy” 
5 citations
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July 2021 in “Lasers in Medical Science” Combination therapy works best for female hair loss, increasing density and thickness.
11 citations
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March 2021 in “Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine” 
4 citations
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July 2020 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” Thread monofilament and minoxidil together increase hair growth in female androgenetic alopecia.
4 citations
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May 2020 in “International Journal of Women's Dermatology” Cow placenta lotion works like minoxidil 2% for female hair loss, with fewer side effects.
36 citations
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February 2019 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology” Combination of 0.25% finasteride and 3% minoxidil works better than just 3% minoxidil for increasing hair thickness in women.
10 citations
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July 2012 in “Annals of Dermatology” Finasteride 1.25 mg showed small improvements in hair density and thickness for female pattern hair loss, but more research is needed.
64 citations
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February 2011 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Finasteride improves hair density and thickness in women with hair loss.
56 citations
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May 2007 in “Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft” Minoxidil works better for female hair loss than alfatradiol, both safe.
239 citations
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November 2000 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Finasteride doesn't effectively treat hair loss in postmenopausal women.
January 2018 in “Surgical and Cosmetic Dermatology” 5-alpha reductase inhibitors like finasteride and dutasteride are effective for treating enlarged prostate and male pattern hair loss.
27 citations
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January 2017 in “Current Clinical Pharmacology” Dutasteride is becoming a popular hair loss treatment, proving more effective than finasteride with similar side effects.
