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

TLDR Minoxidil 2% and 5% are common treatments for female pattern hair loss, with other options including anti-androgens, oral contraceptives, and hair transplantation.

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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