Treatment of hair loss in women

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When it comes to drug treatment for hair loss, it takes longer and harder for women than it is for men. Currently, there is no specific drug that can prevent and treat excessive hair loss that leads to male pattern baldness in women. The following article will show some common methods used to treat hair loss in women.

The effectiveness of hair loss treatments varies from person to person, but many women have found that using these treatments has improved a lot of hair loss. Treatments work best if the cause of hair loss is identified and hair growth is stimulated.
To treat hair loss, your doctor will first check if your hair loss is caused by an excess of androgens (another name for male hormones) in the system or a "overreaction" sensitization. with normal androgen levels. At that time, doctors often opted for a topical treatment by applying it directly to the scalp.
Starting treatment as soon as possible after the onset of hair loss will give the best results, if prolonged hormonal hair loss can destroy many hair follicles. The use of an anti-androgen after prolonged hair loss will help prevent further damage and stimulate some hair to regrow from dormant but still viable follicles. Discontinuation of treatment will result in a return of hair loss if androgens are not controlled in some other way. Maintaining vitamin and mineral levels will also help treat hair loss while taking anti-androgen medications.

1. Minoxidil

Minoxidil is made in tablet form as a medicine to treat high blood pressure (a medicine that lowers blood pressure). It has been found that patients treated with minoxidil develop an overgrowth of hair as a side effect (hirsutism). Further research shows that applying minoxidil solution directly to the scalp can also stimulate hair growth.
When applied to a site, the amount of minoxidil absorbed through the skin into the blood is usually very small, so it is difficult to cause internal side effects. According to research, minoxidil seems to be more effective for women with hereditary hair loss than for men.
Results from clinical studies in mostly Caucasian women 18 to 45 years of age with mild to moderate hair loss showed that after using minoxidil for 8 months, 19% of users experienced hair regrowth. moderate and 40% of hair regrowth was mild. Of those who used the liquid without active minoxidil for the same time period, 7% reported moderate hair regrowth while 33% had only minimal regrowth.

2. Spironolactone

Spironolactone is in a group of medicines called diuretics. Spironolactone is commonly used to reduce fluid in the body without depleting potassium. It is also used to treat conditions such as potassium deficiency, high blood pressure (hypertension), swelling (edema), and a hormonal disorder called hyperaldosteronism.
Spironolactone acts as an anti-androgen in two ways. First, it slows down the production of androgens in the adrenal glands and ovaries. Second, it blocks androgenic activity in part by preventing dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from binding to its androgenetic receptor.

3. Cimetidine (Tagamet)

Cimetidine, brand name Tagamet, belongs to the group of antihistamines used mainly to treat peptic ulcers. Histamine blocking action prevents the stomach from producing excess acid, allowing the body to heal the ulcer. Cimetidine also has fairly strong anti-androgen effects and has been shown to block dihydrotestosterone binding to follicular receptor sites. Cimetidine has been used to treat facial overgrowth (hirsutism) in women and has shown promising results in studies of women with androgenic alopecia. High doses are required to achieve results, so cimetidine is not recommended for men because of the potential for sexual problems.

4. Estrogen and Progesterone

Estrogen and progesterone pills and creams can be an effective treatment for women who experience hair loss during menopause or lack estrogen or progesterone for other reasons.
Because birth control pills reduce the production of androgens by the ovaries, they can be used to treat women's hair loss. However, it is important to follow your doctor's instructions whether to take birth control pills to prevent pregnancy or to treat hair loss. Birth control pills come in many different hormonal formulations, so it's important to consult with your doctor so he can determine which is right for your specific needs, and change pills if necessary.
Only low-androgen birth control pills should be used to treat hair loss. Birth control pills with high androgens can cause more hair loss.

5. Ketoconazole (Nizoral)

Ketoconazole is a medicine used to treat fungal infections. It limits the production of testosterone and other androgens by the adrenal glands and reproductive organs (in women, the ovaries).

6. Finasteride

Finasteride inhibits the 5-alpha reductase enzyme in hair follicles, thereby inhibiting the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is harmful to hair follicles. Dihydrotestosterone shrinks the hair follicles and this is the reason why hair loss is high in women.
Finasteride is quite effective to prevent hair loss and stimulate hair regrowth in women. However, it should not be used by pregnant women because of the risk of birth defects in male infants.

7. Cyproterone Acetate

Cyproterone Acetate is sold under the brand names Diane 35 and Diane 50. This is a birth control pill that also works to treat hair loss in women.
The drug is a combination of cyproterone and estradiol, an estrogen. They work by blocking certain hormonal actions normally found in women. While medication can stop further hair loss and trigger hair regrowth within about a year, it needs to be used continuously to maintain hair regrowth and eliminate hair loss.
Cyproterone Acetate can cause side effects including breast tenderness, headaches, and decreased sex drive.

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Reference source: webmd.com