Interventions for female pattern hair loss
May 2016
in “Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews”

TLDR
Minoxidil effectively treats female pattern hair loss.
The document is a review of interventions for female pattern hair loss (FPHL) and includes information from several studies. The review found that minoxidil is effective in treating FPHL, but there is not enough evidence to support the effectiveness or safety of other interventions. The document recommends investigating other potential causes of hair loss and considering telogen effluvium as a possible diagnosis for FPHL. The document emphasizes the need for standardized scales to assess treatment efficacy and quality of life in future trials for FPHL interventions. The review concludes that minoxidil is the only effective intervention for FPHL.
View this study on cochranelibrary.com →
Cited in this study
research Clinical severity does not reliably predict quality of life in women with alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, or androgenic alopecia

research A randomized, single-blind trial of 5% minoxidil foam once daily versus 2% minoxidil solution twice daily in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in women
5% minoxidil foam once daily works as well as 2% minoxidil solution twice daily for female hair growth and is more convenient.

research Role of genetics and sex steroid hormones in male androgenetic alopecia and female pattern hair loss: An update of what we now know
Genetics and hormones play a role in male and female hair loss, but more research is needed to fully understand it.

research Treatment of female pattern hair loss with the androgen receptor antagonist flutamide
Flutamide improves female hair loss when other treatments fail, but may cause liver toxicity.

research S1 guideline for diagnostic evaluation in androgenetic alopecia in men, women and adolescents
Guidelines for diagnosing common hair loss include detailed history, clinical examination, and various diagnostic techniques.

research Iron deficiency in female pattern hair loss, chronic telogen effluvium, and control groups
Iron deficiency common in women, not always linked to hair loss; more research needed.
research Quality of Life in Australian Women with Female Pattern Hair Loss~!2010-04-19~!2010-07-06~!2010-08-06~!
Australian women with female pattern hair loss have a poorer quality of life, and starting treatment doesn't immediately improve it.

research Evaluation of androgen receptor gene as a candidate gene in female androgenetic alopecia
AR gene not major factor in female hair loss; different from male hair loss.

research Adenosine increases anagen hair growth and thick hairs in Japanese women with female pattern hair loss: A pilot, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Adenosine lotion improves hair growth and thickness in women with hair loss.

research Medical treatments for male and female pattern hair loss
Minoxidil and finasteride treat hair loss in men, while minoxidil treats hair loss in women.

research Female Pattern Hair Loss
Over 50% of women over 50 experience hair loss, with minoxidil being the only proven effective treatment.

research Human hair follicles contain two forms of ATP‐ sensitive potassium channels, only one of which is sensitive to minoxidil
One minoxidil-sensitive potassium channel exists in human hair follicles.

research Comparison of the efficacy and safety of topical minoxidil and topical alfatradiol in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in women
Minoxidil works better for female hair loss than alfatradiol, both safe.

research Effect of finasteride 5 mg (Proscar) on acne and alopecia in female patients with normal serum levels of free testosterone
Finasteride improves acne and hair loss in women with normal testosterone.

research Reversal of androgenetic alopecia by topical ketoconzole: Relevance of anti-androgenic activity
Ketoconazole lotion can improve hair regrowth for some people with androgenetic alopecia.

research Follicular miniaturization in female pattern hair loss: clinicopathological correlations
Hair loss severity relates to increased miniaturization in female pattern hair loss.

research Prevalence of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss in Maryborough
Hair loss common in Australia; men affected earlier, more often than Asians; women less concerned.

research Treatment of female pattern hair loss with oral antiandrogens
Oral antiandrogens effectively treat female hair loss, with better results in higher hair loss grades.

research Evaluation and treatment of male and female pattern hair loss
Early diagnosis and treatment, using finasteride, minoxidil, or hair transplantation, improves hair loss outcomes.

research Burden of Hair Loss: Stress and the Underestimated Psychosocial Impact of Telogen Effluvium and Androgenetic Alopecia
Hair loss causes stress and affects mental health; treatment and support needed.

research Women who present with female pattern hair loss tend to underestimate the severity of their hair loss
Women with female pattern hair loss often underestimate how severe it is.

research A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 5% and 2% topical minoxidil solutions in the treatment of female pattern hair loss
5% and 2% minoxidil solutions effectively promote hair growth and reduce hair loss, with 5% being slightly more effective but having more side effects.

research Topical Estrogen Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia in Menopausal Females
Topical estrogen helps hair growth in menopausal women with no major side effects.

research Melatonin increases anagen hair rate in women with androgenetic alopecia or diffuse alopecia: results of a pilot randomized controlled trial
Melatonin helps hair growth in women with hair loss.

research Androgenetic Alopecia in Women
Androgenetic alopecia in women needs more research and better management strategies.
research Treatment of hyperandrogenic alopecia in women

research Androgenetic alopecia: pathogenesis and potential for therapy
Hair loss needs more research for better treatments.

research Molecular mechanisms of androgenetic alopecia
AGA causes hair loss by shrinking hair follicles due to DHT binding, and can be treated with finasteride and minoxidil.

research Female pattern hair loss
FPHL is a common, age-related, genetic hair loss with unclear causes and limited treatment options.

research Effects of minoxidil 2% vs. cyproterone acetate treatment on female androgenetic alopecia: a controlled, 12-month randomized trial
Minoxidil works better for female hair loss, but cyproterone reduces scalp oiliness and causes menstrual issues.

research A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Determine the Effectiveness of Botanically Derived Inhibitors of 5-α-Reductase in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia
Natural 5AR inhibitors effectively improve mild to moderate hair loss in men.

research Female pattern hair loss
Hair loss in women is genetic, diagnosed by examination and biopsy, and treated with minoxidil, finasteride, or transplantation.
research Efficacy and Tolerability of Hairgain® in Individuals with Hair Loss: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study

research Lack of efficacy of finasteride in postmenopausal women with androgenetic alopecia
Finasteride doesn't effectively treat hair loss in postmenopausal women.

research Development of a health-related quality of life questionnaire for women with androgenetic alopecia
WAA-QOL measures impact of hair loss on women's well-being.
research Ketoconazole Shampoo: Effect of Long-Term Use in Androgenic Alopecia

research Topical finasteride in the treatment of androgenic alopecia. Preliminary evaluations after a 16-month therapy course
Topical finasteride helps regrow hair and reduce balding without side effects.

research Classification scale for male and female androgenetic alopecia.
Scale created to measure hair loss in men and women; MK-386 reduces acne; Niaspan treats dyslipidemia; minoxidil increases heart rate.

research Improvement in the inflammatory aspect of androgenetic alopecia. A pilot study with an antimicrobial lotion
Antimicrobial lotion reduces inflammation and increases hair density in hair loss patients.

research Androgenetic Alopecia in the Female
2% topical minoxidil effectively treats female hair loss with minimal side effects.

research USE OF TOPICAL MINOXIDIL THERAPY FOR ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA IN WOMEN
Minoxidil helps hair growth and reduces shedding in women.

research TREATMENT OF FEMALE ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA WITH MINOXIDIL 2%
Minoxidil 2% effectively treats female hair loss, promoting growth and density.

research Psychological characteristics of women with androgenetic alopecia: a controlled study
Women with AGA often face anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem; psychological support is important.

research Quantitative Estimation of Hair Growth I. Androgenetic Alopecia in Women: Effect of Minoxidil
Minoxidil promotes hair growth in women with early-stage alopecia.

research Androgenetic alopecia: Treatment results with topical minoxidil
Topical minoxidil is a safe and effective treatment for hair loss caused by androgenetic alopecia.

research Safety and efficacy of topical minoxidil in the management of androgenetic alopecia
Minoxidil helps hair growth and prevents hair loss in androgenetic alopecia. It's safe and effective.

research Classification of the types of androgenetic alopecia (common baldness) occurring in the female sex
Common baldness, also known as Androgenetic Alopecia, is caused by a combination of genetic factors and hormones called androgens.
Related

research Evidence-based treatments for female pattern hair loss: a summary of a Cochrane systematic review
Minoxidil helps regrow hair in female pattern hair loss, but more research needed for other treatments.

research Treatments for Androgenetic Alopecia and Alopecia Areata
Minoxidil and finasteride treat hair loss; more research needed for other options.

research Topical Minoxidil in Androgenetic Alopecia Scandinavian and Middle East Experience
The study found that using 2% minoxidil solution can help grow hair and is safe.