Spironolactone for Female Pattern Hair Loss

Spironolactone (Aldactone) for Treating Genetic Hair loss in Women

Genetic hair loss in women affects the frontal scalp and may cause diffuse loss in some women. Treatments include FDA approved minoxidil (Rogaine) Spironolactone (Aldactone), low level laser and platelet rich plasma (PRP).

How well does Spironolactone work?

Previous studies examining the benefits of spironolactone are small in size, but suggested that 40 % of women experience a halting of hair loss with spironolactone and 40 % experience and increase in hair density. 

A new study from University of California Los Angeles examined the benefits of spironolactone in 19 women with genetic hair loss. A survey was given to 20 women. Follow up period was 7 to 20 months. Overall, 30 % of women experienced an improvement, deemed as either a 'mild improvement' or 'increased thickness'. Another proportion achieved stabilization (no further loss) but it's not clear in the study how many of the women in the study had follow up long enough to evaluate stabiliity. 

Conclusion

Overall, these data are similar to previous studies suggesting that 30-40 % of females with genetic hair loss will achieve a benefit using spironolactone pills for genetic hair loss

REFERENCE

Famenini S, Slaught C, Duan L, Goh C. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015 Oct;73(4):705-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2015.06.063. 

Sinclair R, et al. Br J Dermatol. 2005. Treatment of female pattern hair loss with oral anti androgens. Br J Dermatol. 2005 Mar;152(3):466-73. -