Finasteride Treatment of Hair Loss in Women

May 2010 in “ Annals of Pharmacotherapy ”

Stephen C. Stout, Janice L. Stumpf

finasteride hair loss topical minoxidil spironolactone flutamide topical estradiol decreased libido breast swelling breast tenderness Propecia Rogaine

From the encyclopedia

Finasteride →

Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

Spironolactone →

powerful topical and oral anti-androgen used mostly by women

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Studysummary This review discusses the limited objective evidence for using finasteride in women with alopecia, suggesting that it could be considered for those who don't benefit from minoxidil, but reports no new clinical results.

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

This document reviews the use of finasteride for treating hair loss in women. While some studies have shown positive results, larger controlled trials have not demonstrated significant improvement in hair loss. Finasteride may be considered as a second-line option for women who do not respond to or tolerate topical minoxidil, but other potential second-line options include spironolactone, flutamide, and topical estradiol. Few adverse reactions have been reported in women receiving finasteride, but decreased libido and breast swelling and tenderness are possible side effects. Prior to initiating any drug therapy for hair loss, other potential causes of hair loss should be excluded.

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Research cited in this study

22 / 22 results

research Hair Loss in Women

129 citations , October 2007 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

This article discusses the evaluation and management of a 45-year-old woman with diffuse scalp-hair loss and reports no new clinical findings.

research A Woman With Iatrogenic Androgenetic Alopecia Responding To Finasteride

13 citations , February 2007 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

EF and PXE not closely related.

research Effect of Finasteride 5 mg (Proscar) on Acne and Alopecia in Female Patients with Normal Serum Levels of Free Testosterone

43 citations , January 2007 in “Gynecological Endocrinology”

This study found that 9 out of 12 women with acne or alopecia showed subjective improvement with finasteride treatment despite having normal free testosterone levels, suggesting a potential role of 5alpha-reductase activity.

research Finasteride Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss

108 citations , March 2006 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This study observed that 62% of premenopausal women with female pattern hair loss reported improvement when treated with oral finasteride and an oral contraceptive containing drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol.

research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: A Survey in 16 Patients

123 citations , August 2005 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

In this study, the researchers observed that treatment with intralesional and topical corticosteroids, finasteride, and minoxidil may stop the progression of frontal fibrosing alopecia in postmenopausal and premenopausal women.

research Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss With Oral Antiandrogens

179 citations , March 2005 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that 88% of women with female pattern hair loss who received oral antiandrogens saw no progression or improvement in their condition.

research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia in Postmenopausal Women

179 citations , December 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study observed that frontal fibrosing alopecia in postmenopausal women involves selective follicular inflammation, and finasteride treatment may slow disease progression, suggesting a potential androgen-related component.

research Evaluation and Treatment of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss

203 citations , December 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This article reviews the historical developments in understanding and treating male pattern hair loss, emphasizing the role of dihydrotestosterone and 5α-reductase inhibitors, but reports no new clinical findings.

research A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of 5% and 2% Topical Minoxidil Solutions in the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss

219 citations , March 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this 48-week trial, 5% topical minoxidil was more effective than both 2% minoxidil and placebo in promoting hair growth in women with female pattern hair loss, with notable improvements in nonvellus hair count and hair growth assessments.

research Topical Estrogen Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia in Menopausal Females

22 citations , January 2004 in “Dermatology”

This article discusses the use of topical estrogen therapy for androgenetic alopecia in menopausal females and reports no new clinical results.

research Finasteride Treatment of Patterned Hair Loss in Normoandrogenic Postmenopausal Women

72 citations , January 2004 in “Dermatology”

This study found that oral finasteride, at a dosage of 2.5 mg/day or more, may improve hair growth and appearance in postmenopausal women with pattern hair loss, without adverse effects.

research Treatment of Hyperandrogenic Alopecia in Women

108 citations , January 2003 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This study found that flutamide at 250 mg daily modestly improved hair thinning in premenopausal women with hyperandrogenic alopecia over one year, while cyproterone acetate and finasteride were not effective.

research Hair Loss in Women with Hyperandrogenism: Four Cases Responding to Finasteride

92 citations , October 2002 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study reports that oral finasteride improved or stabilized hair loss in women with hyperandrogenism but not in postmenopausal women with female pattern hair loss.

research Finasteride for Female Androgenetic Alopecia

51 citations , October 2002 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Finasteride increases hair density in female androgenetic alopecia, but individual results may vary.

research Effects of Minoxidil 2% vs. Cyproterone Acetate Treatment on Female Androgenetic Alopecia: A Controlled, 12-Month Randomized Trial

149 citations , June 2002 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil works better for female hair loss, but cyproterone reduces scalp oiliness and causes menstrual issues.

research Effects of Finasteride on Apoptosis and Regulation of the Human Hair Cycle

21 citations , January 2002 in “Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery”

This study reports that finasteride treatment in men with androgenetic alopecia appears to restore caspase and XIAP expression in hair follicles to levels similar to those in individuals without the condition.

research Hair Density, Hair Diameter, and the Prevalence of Female Pattern Hair Loss

234 citations , February 2001 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

FPHL affects hair density and diameter, causing visible hair loss in older women.

research Lack of Efficacy of Finasteride in Postmenopausal Women with Androgenetic Alopecia

239 citations , November 2000 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, finasteride 1 mg/day for 12 months did not improve hair growth or slow hair thinning in postmenopausal women with androgenetic alopecia compared to placebo.

Different Levels of 5α-Reductase Type I and II, Aromatase, and Androgen Receptor in Hair Follicles of Women and Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

research Different Levels of 5α-Reductase Type I and II, Aromatase, and Androgen Receptor in Hair Follicles of Women and Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

416 citations , September 1997 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

People with hair loss have more androgen receptors and enzymes in certain follicles, with men and women showing different patterns.

The Importance of Adequate Serum Ferritin Levels During Oral Cyproterone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Treatment of Diffuse Androgen-Dependent Alopecia in Women

research The Importance of Adequate Serum Ferritin Levels During Oral Cyproterone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Treatment of Diffuse Androgen-Dependent Alopecia in Women

83 citations , April 1992 in “Clinical Endocrinology”

This study found that treatment with cyproterone acetate and ethinyl oestradiol increased hair density in women with diffuse androgen-dependent alopecia, particularly when serum ferritin levels were above 40 μg/l.

research Effective Medical Treatment for Common Baldness in Women

43 citations , July 1984 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

This study found that women with common baldness treated with cyclical antiandrogen therapy for 52 weeks experienced increased hair density and a higher percentage of hairs in the anagen growth phase.

research Classification of the Types of Androgenetic Alopecia (Common Baldness) Occurring in the Female Sex

666 citations , September 1977 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This article presents a classification system for stages of female-pattern androgenetic alopecia to aid early diagnosis and mentions existing systems for rare male-pattern cases, but reports no new clinical results.