About one-third of women experience hair loss (alopecia) at some time in their lives; among postmenopausal women, as many as two-thirds suffer hair thinning or bald spots. Hair loss in women often has a greater impact than hair loss does on men, because it's less socially acceptable for them. Alopecia can severely affect a woman's emotional well-being and quality of life.
The main type of hair loss in women is the same as it is men. It's called androgenic alopecia, or female (or male) pattern hair loss. In women, androgenic alopecia generally begins with gradual thinning at the part line, followed by increasing diffuse hair loss radiating from the top of the head. A woman's hairline rarely recedes, and women rarely become bald.
Can you take spironolactone for hair loss?
Spironolactone is a diuretic medication (these are sometimes called water pills because they help your body get rid of excess salt and water). As such, spironolactone is usually prescribed to help treat conditions associated with the body holding onto fluid (like high blood pressure and heart failure). However, it’s also often prescribed "off label" to treat female pattern hair loss.
This means that while spironolactone wasn’t developed or FDA-approved to treat hair loss, it’s still considered safe, and clinical trials have shown that it also happens to help treat hair loss. Your healthcare provider or dermatologist has the ability to prescribe it off-label if they think it’s appropriate for you.
Spironolactone is only approved in women because of undesirable side effects that it can have in men (like gynecomastia, or enlarging of breast tissue).
How does spironolactone work for hair loss?
Overall, spironolactone works by competing with certain hormones and affecting the balance of your hormones.
It works for hair loss by blocking the action of androgen hormones (making it an anti-androgen drug). Androgens are a type of hormone that play a key role in regulating hair growth, hair follicle health, and sebum production.
How does minoxidil work for hair loss?
Minoxidil (generic Rogaine) works for women the same way it does for men— by dilating your blood vessels, which encourages more blood and nutrient flow to your hair follicles, leading to fuller hair. Scientists don’t know the exact mechanism by which minoxidil prevents hair thinning, but it seems to keep hair in the active growing phase (anaphase) for longer.
Can you take minoxidil and spironolactone together?
Yes! spironolactone and minoxidil work through different mechanisms, so you can use both products at the same time. In fact, taking them in tandem may even be the most effective means of tackling hair loss.
Easy Health makes that simple by combining the ingredients in a single capsule. Our compounding pharmacy prepares it in a low but effective dose, so you see all the benefits while avoiding side effects.
Ultimately, combatting hair loss is a commitment—in order for the treatments to work, you need to take spironolactone and minoxidil daily.
It can take six months or more to see results
Most clinical trials showing that spironolactone can help with hair loss took place over the course of 6–20 months. It’s important to be patient and to have realistic expectations of when you can hope to see improvement.
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.
