Medical Therapy for Female Pattern Hair Loss

May 2014 in “ Hair transplant forum international ”

Nicole E. Rogers

minoxidil spironolactone finasteride dutasteride birth control pills low level light therapy ketoconazole shampoo platelet-rich plasma Rogaine LLLT PRP

From the encyclopedia

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Spironolactone →

powerful topical and oral anti-androgen used mostly by women

Finasteride →

Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

Studysummary This commentary explores the challenges and considerations in treating female pattern hair loss, with no new clinical findings reported.

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

In 2014, Dr. Nicole E. Rogers discussed various treatments for Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL). She stated that while only topical minoxidil (Rogaine®) was FDA-approved for hair loss in women, other off-label options such as oral spironolactone, oral finasteride, certain birth control pills, and low level light therapy (LLLT) could also be effective. Minoxidil was found to halt hair loss in 60% of cases with the 2% solution, and better results were seen with the 5% solution. Spironolactone, finasteride, dutasteride, certain birth control pills, and ketoconazole shampoo were also potential treatments. The document also mentioned the use of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in hair loss treatment, but noted that scientific studies were few. The author emphasized patient satisfaction and understanding of the treatment process as crucial for successful outcomes.

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Research cited in this study

14 / 14 results

research Quality of Life in Women with Female Pattern Hair Loss and the Impact of Topical Minoxidil Treatment

22 citations , May 2013 in “Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine”

This study found that topical minoxidil improved the quality of life in female patients with pattern hair loss.

research Male Breast Cancer and 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Finasteride and Dutasteride

32 citations , May 2013 in “The Journal of Urology”

This study found no statistically significant association between the use of 5α-reductase inhibitors and male breast cancer incidence.

research Association of Androgenetic Alopecia With Mortality From Diabetes Mellitus and Heart Disease

49 citations , May 2013 in “JAMA Dermatology”

This study found that moderate to severe androgenetic alopecia is an independent predictor of increased mortality risk from diabetes mellitus and heart disease in both sexes.

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

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

100 citations , June 2011 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that a once-daily 5% minoxidil topical foam is as effective as a twice-daily 2% minoxidil topical solution for hair growth in women with androgenetic alopecia, with fewer side effects and greater styling convenience.

research Finasteride Treatment of Hair Loss in Women

29 citations , May 2010 in “Annals of Pharmacotherapy”

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.

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 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 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.

Topical Estrogen Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia in Menopausal Females

research Androgenetic Alopecia in the Female

82 citations , March 1994 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This study found that a 2% topical minoxidil solution significantly increased hair regrowth compared to placebo in women with androgenetic alopecia over 32 weeks.

Medical Therapy for Female Pattern Hair Loss

Research cited in this study

research Quality of Life in Women with Female Pattern Hair Loss and the Impact of Topical Minoxidil Treatment

research Male Breast Cancer and 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Finasteride and Dutasteride

research Association of Androgenetic Alopecia With Mortality From Diabetes Mellitus and Heart Disease

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

research Finasteride Treatment of Hair Loss in Women

research Finasteride Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss

research Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss With Oral Antiandrogens

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

research Topical Estrogen Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia in Menopausal Females

research Finasteride Treatment of Patterned Hair Loss in Normoandrogenic Postmenopausal Women

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

research Ketoconazole Shampoo: Effect of Long-Term Use in Androgenic Alopecia

research Diffuse Hypertrichosis During Treatment with 5% Topical Minoxidil

research Androgenetic Alopecia in the Female