Minoxidil for Women: A Game-Changer

Minoxidil for Women: A Game-Changer

Table of Contents

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I. How Does Minoxidil Regrow Hair?

II. Minoxidil Formulations

III. Minoxidil During Pregnancy

IV. Minoxidil vs. Finasteride for Women

V. Conclusion

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Hair loss is a common concern among many women, with statistics showing that around one-third of women will experience hair loss at some point in their lives. For postmenopausal women, this issue becomes even more prevalent, with up to two-thirds facing the challenges of hair thinning. ¹

If you're a woman grappling with hair loss, you may have realized that the options available are somewhat limited. While both minoxidil and finasteride are recognized as effective treatments for hair loss, it's important to note that only minoxidil is FDA-approved for use in women. Fortunately, minoxidil has shown great effectiveness in treating female hair loss.

In this article, we’ll explore how minoxidil works to restore thinning hair, the different formulations available, whether it’s safe to use during pregnancy, and why finasteride is not FDA-approved for women.

How Does Minoxidil Regrow Hair?

You may be surprised to learn that minoxidil wasn’t originally intended for regrowing hair. Minoxidil started out as an oral tablet for treating high blood pressure. However, as patients were taking this medication, they noticed an unexpected side effect: hair growth. ²

Researchers began investigating this and found that minoxidil stimulated new hair growth in 60 to 80% of the patients taking it for hypertension. This discovery prompted the development of topical minoxidil solutions specifically for treating hair loss. ³

In 1988, topical minoxidil received FDA approval for treating hair loss in men. Just a few years later in 1991, it was also approved for women. ² Although the exact mechanisms behind minoxidil’s hair regrowing abilities aren’t fully understood, researchers have found that it:

• Increases blood circulation around hair follicles
• Triggers hair follicles to enter the growth phase
• Prolongs the time follicles spend in the growth phase ⁴

Minoxidil does not produce overnight results. For the best chance of success, you must use it consistently for at least two months. The peak effects are usually seen around four months, though a six- to twelve-month trial period is recommended to determine if minoxidil works for you. ¹

Minoxidil Formulations

Minoxidil is available in two different formulations: an oral tablet and a topical solution. Each formulation is FDA-approved for different conditions:

• Oral minoxidil comes in tablet form and is FDA-approved to treat high blood pressure. ⁵

• Topical minoxidil comes as a solution and is FDA-approved to stimulate hair growth in men and women with hair loss. ⁶

While oral minoxidil is only approved to lower blood pressure, in recent years doctors have increasingly prescribed low doses of it off-label to combat hair loss. ⁷ For some, oral minoxidil can be more convenient than applying a topical solution and does not leave any residue on the scalp. ⁸

A 24-week study comparing the two formulations for treating hair loss in women found that 1 mg of daily oral minoxidil and 5% topical minoxidil solution both increased hair density and reduced shedding, with oral minoxidil having a slight edge. Overall, the choice between the two comes down to patient preference, as they appear to have comparable effectiveness for hair loss. ⁹

Minoxidil During Pregnancy

It is important to note that the use of minoxidil is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Although there is no conclusive evidence that minoxidil is a teratogenic agent, there have been occasional reports of birth defects associated with its use during pregnancy. ¹⁰

Fetal minoxidil syndrome refers to a collection of symptoms that may present in newborns whose mothers used minoxidil during pregnancy. There are a few published cases where newborns experienced hypertrichosis, or excessive hair growth, which gradually resolved over the first six months of life. ¹¹ Other symptoms reported include:

• Congenital heart defects
• Neurodevelopment abnormalities
• Gastrointestinal system issues
• Kidney issues
• Limb malformations ¹¹

More research is still needed to conclusively determine the potential risks to a fetus when minoxidil is used during pregnancy.

Minoxidil vs. Finasteride for Women

Unlike minoxidil, finasteride is not FDA-approved for use in women. This is due to the potential for severe birth defects if taken by women of childbearing age. ¹²

Finasteride inhibits an enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). While lowering DHT helps treat hair loss in men, DHT also plays an essential role in the development of male genitalia before birth. ¹³ Animal studies have found that male fetuses exposed to finasteride in utero can develop abnormal external genitalia. ¹²

According to the FDA, even handling broken finasteride tablets can be risky for pregnant women or women who may become pregnant. There is also a potential for exposure through a male partner's semen if he is taking finasteride. ¹²

In contrast, minoxidil does not affect DHT levels. Instead, it optimizes the microenvironment of hair follicles and the hair growth cycle. Because minoxidil does not pose the same risks as finasteride, the FDA has approved it for use in women. ⁶

Conclusion

Minoxidil can be an effective treatment option for women experiencing hair loss. By optimizing the hair growth cycle and improving blood flow to hair follicles, minoxidil creates a good environment for hair growth.

If you are struggling with thinning hair or bald patches, consult with a doctor to see if a minoxidil regimen may be right for you.