Efficacy and Tolerability of Oral Bicalutamide in Forty Postmenopausal Women with Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Retrospective Study

This retrospective study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of oral bicalutamide in 40 postmenopausal women with female pattern hair loss (FPHL). Over a 6-month period, participants received 30 mg of bicalutamide daily. Results showed a mean improvement of +1.1 points on the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale, with 30% of patients experiencing significant improvement and 50% showing improvement. Hair density increased by 28.6%, 25.8%, and 23.5% according to Olsen, Ludwig, and Sinclair stages, respectively. Trichoscopic analysis revealed a 12.1% increase in mean hair diameter and an increase in terminal hair proportion from 54.7% to 60.5%. Adverse effects were mild, occurring in 12.5% of participants, and included gastrointestinal complaints, headache, breast tenderness, reduced libido, and nail fragility. The study suggests that bicalutamide may be a promising treatment for FPHL in postmenopausal women, though further research is needed.