Female Pattern Hair Loss: Current Treatment Concepts

January 2007 in “ PubMed ”

Quan Dang Dinh, Rodney Sinclair

female pattern hair loss Minoxidil anti-androgens Spironolactone oral contraceptives hair transplantation clinical photography standardized clinical severity scales Rogaine

From the encyclopedia

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Spironolactone →

powerful topical and oral anti-androgen used mostly by women

Studysummary This review discusses female pattern hair loss, highlighting that while oral antiandrogens and topical minoxidil can arrest progression, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial, and stresses the need for ongoing therapy.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The 2006 document "Female pattern hair loss: current treatment concepts" discussed the treatment options for female pattern hair loss (FPHL). The most common treatment was Minoxidil 2% and 5%, which was FDA approved and shown to be effective in slowing hair loss and promoting hair growth. Other treatments included anti-androgens like Spironolactone and oral contraceptives, and hair transplantation. The paper found that less than 45% of women maintain a full head of hair throughout their lives, with hair loss prevalence increasing with age. FPHL was identified as a chronic progressive condition, with treatments more effective at halting progression than stimulating regrowth. The paper concluded that monitoring treatment effect through clinical photography or standardized clinical severity scales is helpful.

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