Minoxidil 5 why not for women

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Reuters Health - Women may end up paying more than men at their local store for the same hair loss medicine, suggests a new study. Minoxidil - known by the popular brand name Rogaine - was 40 percent more expensive when it was marketed as a foam to women than when it was advertised to men, researchers found.

A study found that about 3. People with cardiovascular problems may want to talk to their doctor before taking Rogaine. As an oral medication, minoxidil is used to lower blood pressure. Usually, topically applied minoxidil has an insignificant effect on your blood pressure. Rogaine and other brands of minoxidil are the only FDA-approved medications for treating hair loss in women. The oral medication finasteride is FDA-approved for men over the age of 18 to treat hair loss.

Finasteride should always be taken under the direction of a physician. Finasteride is particularly dangerous for women who are pregnant, since it may harm male fetuses. Rogaine is available over the counter. Your doctor can help you rule out other causes of hair loss that may be treatable, such as low thyroid hormone levels or a nutrient deficiency. Rogaine can help women treat genetic hair loss. In women, genetic hair loss usually manifests as a gradual thinning along the part in the hair.

Rogaine is generally considered safe, but in some cases it can cause side effects, such as scalp irritation, unwanted hair growth, or temporary shedding. Birth control can cause mild or severe side effects.

Some women experience hair loss while taking the pill. Massage the minoxidil into the scalp with your fingers, and make sure to wash your hands immediately afterward. Ideally, apply the treatment at least two hours before bedtime to allow it dry completely—this may help prevent the minoxidil from inadvertently spreading to other parts of the body while you sleep UpToDate, Minoxidil can also stain clothing or bed linen if your scalp is not fully dry after using the medicine.

Continue using minoxidil daily because after stopping treatment, your hair loss will return within three months. If you have not noticed an increase in the amount of hair regrowth after a few months of use, talk to your healthcare provider. Another possible side effect is increased hair growth on the forehead or face. This may be due to accidentally applying the minoxidil to your face or forehead instead of limiting it to your scalp Fabbrocini, You should stop use and talk to your healthcare provider if you notice any of the above side effects or if you develop chest pain, rapid heartbeat, faintness, dizziness, weight gain sudden, unexplained , or swelling of the hands or feet UpToDate, Lastly, if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, you should avoid minoxidil.

Some animal studies have shown that minoxidil can be harmful to a developing baby AAD, n. Traces of minoxidil can pass into breast milk, so women who are breastfeeding should also avoid minoxidil AAD, n. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about the side effects or safety considerations of minoxidil. While minoxidil is usually the first treatment used in female pattern hair loss, other options are available. These include prescription pills, light therapy, microneedling, platelet-rich plasma, and hair transplants.

Oral prescription medications that affect hormone levels may work for women who have a hormonal component to their hair loss. Examples of these treatments include finasteride FDA-approved for treating hair loss in men, but not women , spironolactone, flutamide, or dutasteride AAD, n.

Laser therapy, also known as low-level light therapy LLLT , is a treatment for female pattern hair loss that you can do at home. There are no standard dosing regimens, but a few studies have shown that LLLT may be effective in treating hair loss and stimulating hair regrowth Fabbrocini, The FDA has approved low-level light therapy devices combs, helmets, and other devices for the treatment of both male and female hair loss, but more research is needed in this area AAD, n.

Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that is under investigation as another potential option for women with female pattern hair loss. Fine needles are rolled over the skin of the scalp to puncture the upper layers of scalp skin. The small punctures trigger a wound healing response that releases growth factors and may help stimulate hair growth Fabbrocini, Also, the wounds can improve the penetration of topical medications, like minoxidil.