Women’s Hair Loss Treatment
Androgenetic alopecia in women, more commonly known as female pattern baldness can be particularly frustrating because physicians are often reluctant to use forms of systemic treatments. These entail a pill or any kind of internal treatment that affects the entire system.
These concerns within the medical community are centered on androgen levels in the body. Excessive amounts of androgen in the system or a sensitized “over response” to what is considered normal are invariably the causes of hair loss.
Because systemic treatments can lower the body’s androgen levels, physicians often choose to prescribe topical remedies instead, involving direct applications to the scalp.
Treatment produces the best results if a regiment is started as soon as the first signs of hair loss are discovered. Prolonging androgenetic alopecia can lead to the destruction of many hair follicles. If considerable hair loss has already been experienced the use of anti-androgen drugs will at least prevent further progression. Hair regrowth will also be encouraged from dormant follicles that are still viable.
The best chance of success, using treatments are as always more effective if they are accurately matched to the underlying causes of the hair loss in order to trigger hair growth.
The information below contains types of treatments that are currently being used to treat hair loss in women. Some of these drugs have not been approved by the FDA and are used off label for other conditions.
Our Recommendation: Hair Restoration Surgery
Before you dig into the medicine side of treatment, we want to take a moment to tell you what we truly recommend in the end. With so many medicine’s being discovered through “side effect” based results, our ultimate recommendation is an effective hair loss restoration surgery.
While the different procedures vary based on each individual, most patients see results far superior to anything that can be achieved with prescriptions. In the hands of the right doctor, the results can certainly be astounding.
The best way to get the ball rolling is to apply for a free educational DVD, as well as book an initial consultation. This will give you a good idea of what to expect, and the most common surgery techniques that may be involved. Don’t wait any longer to take care of your hair loss, take action now.
Minoxidil 2% Topical Treatment
Minoxidil has proved to be more effective in women compared to men. At this point the FDA has only approved a 2% minoxidil concentration. However, many dermatologists actually prescribe 5% minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia. This stronger concentrate appears to be significantly more effective in both regrowing and retaining hair.
Because the makers of minoxidil have not received approval for the 5% strength, it should only be used under the supervision of a dermatologist.
Originally, minoxidil was used as an antihypertensive for the treatment of high blood pressure. Excessive hair growth, (hypertrichosis) surfaced as a side effect. This curious development promoted further research discovering the application of a solution of minoxidil directly onto the scalp stimulated hair growth. The minimal amount of minoxidil absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream was considered too low to cause any internal side effects.
Clinical studies of mainly white women between the ages of 18-45 with mild to moderate degrees of hair loss, revealed the following results after using minoxidil: moderate hair growth after using minoxidil for 8 months was reported in 19% of women. (19% experienced moderate regrowth; 40% had minimal regrowth).
When a placebo was used (the liquid minus the active ingredient) 7% of women reported moderate hair regrowth after using it for 8 months (7% had moderate regrowth, 33% had minimal regrowth).
Most reputable hair loss organizations acknowledge the limitations of topical minoxidil treatment in the fight against female androgenenic alopecia. Consequently, seeking out advice from an informed hair loss specialist is recommended to discuss the potential treatments referred to on this website.
Androgen Receptor Inhibitors
Spironolactone is an antiandrogen with dual functions. Primarily, the production of androgens in the ovaries and adrenal glands are slowed down. Secondly, the action of these androgens, are in part blocked by preventing dihydrotestosterone from binding to its androgenetic receptor.
The more popular brand name of spironolactone is Aldactone and is in a class of drugs called potassium-sparing diuretics (water pill) used to reduce fluid in the body without causing any potassium loss. It is also used to treat potassium deficiency and hyperaldosteronism, a hormonal disorder.
Cimetidine has been used to treat excess facial hair growth in women, also known as hirsuitism. Studies in women with androgenic alopecia have shown promising results. Men should not take cimetidine to treat their hair loss, because the high doses can cause feminizing and adverse sexual side effects.
Sold under the brand name Tagamet, cimetidine belongs to a class of histamine blockers normally used to treat gastrointestinal ulcers. The blocking action of these histamines prevents the stomach from producing excess acid, thereby allowing the ulcer to heal. The powerful anti-androgenic effect of cimetidine has also shown to block dehydrotestosterone from binding the follicle receptor sites.
Cyproterone Acetate
Cyproterone acetate is not available in the U.S. and is considered one of the last resorts for treating female pattern hair loss because of its potential toxicity and long- term side effects. A physician should be contacted in the event that any non – listed side effects occur.
Cyproterone acetate is prescribed in the treatment of severe hirsuitism in women of childbearing age and also sufferers of androgenetic alopecia. Cyproterone acetate blocks the binding of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) to its receptors. It is also used to reduce sexual aggression and excessive sex drive in men.
Estrogen / Progesterone
Estrogen and progesterone pills and creams, also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are commonly prescribed at menopause. They are also a systemic form of treatment for androgenetic alopecia for women during menopause when estrogen and progesterone levels tend to be lacking.
Oral Contraceptives
Only low androgen index birth control pills should be used to treat hair loss. High androgen index birth control pills can cause a chain reaction that actually triggers hair loss. Contraceptive pills are available with a variety of hormonal formulations.
Only a doctor can determine the specific type and dose for individual needs. It is important to find a pill that provides both physical and emotional comfort levels. Lifestyle and medical history should be discussed with a physician before taking “the pill,” particularly women over the thirty-five who smoke as this creates a higher risk for blood clots.
The production of ovarian androgens is decreased by using birth control pills, so the same caution should be followed regardless of whether the pill is taken solely for birth control purposes or to treat female pattern baldness.
Cyproterone Acetate (with Ethinyloestradiol)
This contraceptive tablet is sold in Europe for women’s androgenetic alopecia under the brand name Diane 35 and Diane 50. It is a combination of cyproterone and estradiol, an estrogen. Both Diane 35 and Diane 50 contain 2mg. of cyproterone.
Diane 35 contains 0.035 mg. of estradiol and Diane 50 contains 0.050 mg. Currently this drug is not available in the U.S. although it is considered more effective than spironolactone.
It works by blocking some of the male hormone activity commonly present in women. Although this drug can halt hair loss and encourage regrowth within a year or so, it is necessary that it used on an ongoing basis for optimum efficacy. Breast tenderness, headaches and decreased libido are some of the side effects, however it does prevent osteoporosis.
Nizoral / Ketoconazole
Ketoconazole is currently used in the treatment of fungal infections in a topical prescription form. Nizoral shampoo contains 2 percent Ketoconazole and is prescribed not just for scalp conditions but also in combination with other treatments for androgenetic alopecia.
Although possibly not as effective as the 2 percent prescription strength, a 1 percent version is now available over the counter with no apparent side effects. Its anti-androgenic effects are able to reduce testosterone production and other androgens by the adrenal glands and the male and female reproductive organs ( in women the ovaries ).
Propecia / Proscar
Pregnant women must not take propecia due to the risk of birth defects in the male fetus. Transient sexual side effects including erectile and libido difficulties are experienced by less than 2% of men with no side effects at all in women.
Initially developed as the drug finasteride it was not until 1998, a 1mg. version entered the market under the brand name Propecia. It became the first pill approved by the FDA for men’s hair loss and as an aid in triggering hair regrowth. The inhibiting effect on the enzyme 5- alpha reductase affects the production of prostate-harming, follicle killing DHT.