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The Effects of Woman Using Rogaine for Men

Although commonly thought of as a male problem, approximately 40 percent of hair loss sufferers are female, according to the American Hair Loss Association. If left untreated, hair loss can be emotionally devastating to a woman, resulting in psychological damage that can affect physical health. Women who are anxious to regrow hair may be tempted to use Rogaine for men since its' concentration of the active ingredient minoxidil is more than two times that of Rogaine for women. However, the shouldn't because of the adverse side effects from the stronger solution.

  1. Skin Reactions

    • Women who use men's Rogaine to treat their hair loss may experience a variety of uncomfortable skin reactions due to the ingredient propylene glycol, which is only included in the men's formula. A dry, itchy scalp is a common side effect that may be effectively treated with anti-dandruff shampoo. More severe skin reactions can include inflammation, rash, scalp tenderness, swelling or skin lesions that may become infected. The skin may become so irritated or dry that it breaks open, leading to bleeding and painful scarring of scalp tissue.

    Low Blood Pressure

    • Women who use men's Rogaine are sensitive to developing low blood pressure (hypotension). This occurs as a side effect of minoxidil being absorbed through the skin and entering the bloodstream. Hypotension occurs when blood flow is not sufficient through the veins and arteries in the body. It's a serious condition that can cause permanent damage to the brain, heart, kidneys, liver and lungs if undiagnosed. Symptoms of low blood pressure include pain in the chest or dizziness. One may also feel light-headed.

    Facial Hair Growth

    • Minoxidil was initially introduced in pill form, as a medication called Loniten. It was used to treat high blood pressure until researchers noticed the side effect of increased body hair on their patients. It was then that a topical solution was created and applied to the head to regrow hair. Women who use Rogaine for men are even more likely to develop facial hair than users of the women's formula because of the increased amount of minoxidil that it contains. Keeping the medication from dripping down the face may help to reduce the amount of hair that grows on the face, but it cannot be completely avoided.

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