Female pattern hair loss is a common condition that can affect women at any age. It is most common in women who are entering menopause but may start occurring anytime after puberty. Hair loss can result in issues with self esteem and body image, causing women to remove themselves from social activities, lose sleep, and have impaired daily functioning. Several topical solutions are often prescribed for treating hair loss as well as once-daily capsules with one active ingredient. Recently, a compounded alternative has been studied and proven to be successful that contains both minoxidil and spironolactone in one capsule. This provides a broader spectrum of activity for reducing hair loss in women.

Ingredients in Hair Loss Capsules for Women

There are two main categories of medication used for treating female pattern hair loss based on how they interact with androgen hormones. Minoxidil is androgen independent and is the only FDA approved drug (found in Rogaine and generic versions) for treating female hair loss. Spironolactone is androgen dependent and has been approved for treating high blood pressure, but is not commercially available for hair loss. Both minoxidil and spironolactone were actually first utilized to treat hypertension. It was discovered that patients taking these drugs were also seeing an improvement in their hair loss.

Genetics, aging, and levels of certain hormones (androgens) can all affect hair growth in women. On their own, both minoxidil and spironolactone have been proven to be effective at treating hair loss in different ways. When combined, they can target the multiple possible causes of female pattern hair loss. It can take at least 6 months to notice results from any hair loss treatment, including these capsules. Most women should expect to use hair loss capsules for up to one year to be able to accurately determine whether the treatment is effective.

Benefits of Hair Loss Capsules for Women

The benefits of using a combination capsule include the ability to use two effective hair loss drugs at once. This combination has been shown to reduce hair loss by 1.3 points on a 5 point scale within 12 months, for women who started with a mean baseline score of 2.7. That means hair loss was cut almost in half after a year of treatment. Another benefit of hair loss capsules for women is avoiding the messiness of applying a topical preparation. Taking a capsule is less time consuming, is more discrete, and makes compliance with a treatment regimen easier. This can result in improved treatment outcomes for women.

Side Effects and Precautions

The side effects of treatment with hair loss capsules for women are usually mild. The most common side effects include urticaria (itching) and an increase in body hair in other areas of the body like the upper lip. These side effects will cease within a few months of discontinuing the medication. Other side effects may include menstrual irregularities, fatigue, and postural hypotension. Scalp irritation from topical application of minoxidil is related to the vehicle used and not the active ingredient. Contact dermatitis can be avoided by using an orally administered hair loss capsule.

Because spironolactone competitively blocks androgen receptors, it is only recommended for use in women as it can cause gynecomastia and loss of libido in men. These capsules should never be taken if you are pregnant or trying to conceive. For pre-menopausal women, a negative pregnancy test should be confirmed before starting treatment.

Research

• Female pattern hair loss: a pilot study investigating combination therapy with low‐dose oral minoxidil and spironolactone – International Journal of Dermatology
• Treating female pattern hair loss – Harvard Women’s Health Watch
• Antiandrogen Therapy in Dermatology – International Journal of Dermatology
• Treatment of chronic telogen effluvium with oral minoxidil: A retrospective study. – Sinclair Dermatology (PubMed)