What Is the Best Hair Loss Treatment for Women?

Hair loss affects 60 percent of men; however, only 10 percent of women are affected by this genetic condition. Hair loss treatment for women is similar to men's hair loss treatments, but women require special attention. If you are suffering from hair loss, it is important to understand why your hair is falling out and what can be done to replace the hair that you have lost. There are several hair loss treatments that are ideal for women who have thinning hair.

Types

• Internal medications, such as pills, are rarely prescribed to women unless their physician can officially note their hair loss is due to excessive androgens within their bodies. According to the American Hair Loss Association, topical treatments, such as Minoxidil 2 percent, applied directly to the scalp, resulted with 19 percent of women showing signs of moderate regrowth while 40 percent showed minimal signs of growth.
  Cimetidine, or Tagamet, is normally used for gastrointestinal ulcers, but this medication is also used as an antiandrogenic, which promotes hair regrowth within women. This medication blocks DHT (dehydrotestosterone), which is the chemical that prevents hair growth and causes balding.
  Cyproterone Acetate, also known as Diane 50 and Diane 35, is a contraceptive pill that is also used to treat androgenetic alopecia within women. This treatment requires ongoing use to stimulate hair regrowth, and results are seen within 12 months of active use.

Time Frame

• Treatment for hair loss can show results as early as 2 months. For most topical treatments, lotions or shampoos, results can take up to 8 months before any positive signs show. Internal medications, such as Propecia or other treatments, show positive signs of hair regrowth within 4 months. On average, hair loss will be slowed after 6 months of active treatment in women.

Benefits

• Many hair loss treatments for women are medications that treat other symptoms as well. Aldactone is mainly used to treat high blood pressure as well as decrease the amount of fluid in the body. This treatment also utilizes its ability to stop the binding of DHT onto the hair follicles, which causes hair loss.

Prevention/Solution

• Starting treatment as soon as possible is vital to keep your hair dense and to prevent permanent hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia is the main cause of hair loss in women, and the longer treatment is avoided, damage to your hair follicles will become more severe. Continuing treatment will prevent androgens from reappearing in your scalp; however, androgens may form on your follicles in periods without treatment, which will begin the hair loss cycle again.

Warning

• Obtaining a proper diagnosis before starting any hair loss treatment will prevent negative side effects from occurring during treatment. Women require special attention concerning hair loss, so over-the-counter treatments should first be discussed with your doctor. Maintaining the proper amounts of minerals and vitamins in your body is essential to your health if your doctor prescribes antiandrogen treatments.