Improvement of Female Pattern Hair Loss with Bicalutamide: A Time-Dependent Process
August 2025
in “
JAAD International
”
Studysummary Bicalutamide may reduce hair shedding in women but needs longer trials to confirm its effectiveness.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The study by da Silva et al. evaluated the effects of bicalutamide 25 mg/day combined with minoxidil 1 mg/day versus minoxidil alone for female pattern hair loss (FPHL) in a randomized double-blind trial with 32 participants per group. While no significant improvement in hair density was observed with the addition of bicalutamide, there was a reduction in hair shedding and facial hypertrichosis. The study's short follow-up period of 24 weeks may not be sufficient to detect changes in hair density, as antiandrogen treatments often require longer durations to show efficacy. Bicalutamide, a selective androgen receptor antagonist, may be a potential alternative for FPHL cases where other antiandrogens are poorly tolerated. The study suggests that longer-term trials are needed to better assess the efficacy of bicalutamide in improving hair density.
