Hair loss treatment

Finasteride, an inhibitor of type 2 5α-reductase, inhibits conversion of testosterone to DHT, resulting in decrease in serum and scalp DHT levels believed to be pathogenic in AGA. 1 mg oral finasteride daily has been shown to be effective in prevention and treatment of hair loss in men, and has also shown some effect in aging males.

Traditionally, pattern hair loss in women has is treated with topical minoxidil, and with systemic antiandrogens, such as cyproterone acetate or spironolactone (Sinclair et al 2005), though the efficacy of the latter has also been challenged, at least in premenopausal women with normal androgen levels (Vexiau et al 2002). While oral finasteride has unanimously been shown to be effective in treatment of hair loss in men, its efficacy in women has remained controversial. Due to inconsistent data with respect to efficacy of finasteride in women, it has been suggested that not all types of female hair loss have the same pathophysiology, ie, a distinction should be made between alopecia with early or late (postmenopausal) onset, and with or without hyperandrogenemia. Due to teratogenicity for the male fetus, finasteride is contraindicated for use in premenopausal women.