Hair Restoration for Women: The Treatment for Women Hair Thinning

Hair loss does not show favouritism with the sexes. Just when the world thought men only were the only ones distressing about baldness; women make up 40% of hair loss sufferers in the United States. Medically known as alopecia, hair loss poses a serious threat to how a woman sees herself—physically and emotionally.

Treatment:

Hair restoration for women is more common now than before. However, physicians are reluctant to prescribe systematic treatment or oral drugs unless they are sure that hair thinning is due to androgen overflow in the body. As an alternative, doctors recommend topical treatments over pills or any other forms of oral treatment.

• Minoxidil 2% Topical Treatment: Minoxidil was previously used to treat hypertension when it was noticed that some of the patients suffer excessive hair growth. It soon became a treatment for thinning hair which is more effective to women than men.
• Spironolactone: Commonly known by its brand name Aldactone, it helps inhibit androgen to bind with dihydrotestosterone which causes then thinning of the hair.
• Cimetidine: Commonly known as Tagamet, it also acts as an anti-androgen thus promoting hair growth. It cannot be taken by men due to possible side effects.
• Cyproterone Acetate: It is often the last resort of women in helping minimize hair loss due to long term side effects.
• Estrogen/Progesterone: Primarily prescribed at menopause, this method is the most common treatment for hair loss.
• Oral Contraceptives: Oral contraceptives help inhibit the production of ovarian androgens which in turn helps minimize hair loss. There are low and high androgen index birth control pills out in the market; choose low androgen index pills because they help treat hair loss.
• Nizoral/Ketoconazole: Treating hair loss with Nizoral is more effective if combined with other topical drugs since Nizoral only contains 2% Ketoconazole.
• Propecia/Proscar: Propecia is the first FDA-approved drug to treat hair loss for men. Some women who take this drug find it useful to lessen hair fall.

Though the products mentioned above provide the most convenient way of hair restoration, a long talk with your physician should be considered first before buying any over the counter drugs.