Can Women Use Finasteride?

 

Finasteride is a FDA approved drug to treat hair loss. And it has been formally recommended for men only but usage of Finasteride in women has been going since two decades. When Finasteride is prescribed to a woman by any physician it is done in an “off label” manner. But the question of why women cannot use Finasteride has been hovering in the mind of most individuals and hence which is answered by the best hair transplant clinic in Kolkata.

 

Perspectives on the usage of Finasteride:

The recommendation of Finasteride to women varies from physician to physician. There some physicians who will never recommend Finasteride. There are some who will recommend to post-menopausal women. There are some physician who will recommend to pre-menopausal women. But whoever prescribes Finasteride to any women, does it with considering every kind of risks.

The usage of Finasteride by any woman during the time of pregnancy can seriously affect the foetus. The risk is quite serious and might lead to some fatal consequences. Hence Finasteride is considered in the category of highest risk if used during pregnancy. So it should never be taken during pregnancy.

The other concern about the usage of Finasteridein women is cancer. Though there aren’t enough studies or researches that shows that usage of Finasteride can lead to breast cancer. In fact, reasonably well conducted studies in men would suggest that breast cancer risk is not increased. However women with history with breast, ovarian or any kind of gynaecological cancer should discuss thoroughly with the doctor before taking Finasteride.

 

Does Finasteride help women with genetic hair loss?

Two decades ago, in the year of 2000, a study showed that two post-menopausal women having androgenic alopecia were treated with a dosage of 1mg Finasteride but there was no improvements. Hence it was considered that Finasteride doesn’t work on women. Then 2 years later, 4 women (2 pre-menopausal and 2 post-menopausal) were treated with a higher dosage of Finasteride which was 2.5mg, showed significant results. This again changed the perspective on usage of Finasteridein women.

In 2006, an Italian physician published a report on which again increased the interest on usage of Finasteride in women. He diagnosed 37 women with female pattern baldness and prescribed Finasteride to them. 12 months later 24 out of 37 patients showed significant result with increased hair density, 13 patients’ hairless was stabilize and the remaining one lost hair density.

 

What could be the side effects of using Finasteride in woman?

Side effects of Finasteride in women include, but are not limited to: harm to a foetus (Finasteride cannot be used in pregnancy), fatigue, weight gain, depression, anxiety, decreased libido, sexual dysfunction, hair shedding, breast tenderness, breast enlargement.  Other side effects can occur but are less common. These include changes in platelet counts and muscle injury (myopathy).

 

Conclusion:

From the above there are various things that need to be considered such as the risks that are associated with the usage of Finasteride in women could be fatal especially for women who are pregnant or planning to be. Also the fact that there is no approval from any of the agencies in the world regarding it.

 

FDA has approved the usage of Finasteride to treat hair loss but that too only for men. So considering everything it is better not to use Finasteride for women. But if there is a special case and the physician recommends it considering every possible risks then it can be used.