I am suffering from female hair loss and have heard about Rogaine for women.  How effective is this hair loss treatment and would you recommend it?

Rogaine which contains active ingredient minoxodil is available for women in the form of 2% minoxodil.  To date, this is the only FDA approved hair loss medication for women and I would highly recommend considering it for the treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia (hereditary hair loss).  In order to determine that you are suffering from genetic hair loss rather than other types of Alopecia, it is best to consult with a dermatologist or a hair restoration specialist.

Rogaine works by stimulating the hair follicles, revitalizing them, which may stimulate new hair growth of miniaturized hairs.  Rogaine is typically more effective the earlier you start treatment however, because there is no hair loss cure to date – realistic expectations must be set.

Reported side effects of Rogaine for women include chest pain, rapid heartbeat, faintness, dizziness, sudden and unexplained weight gain, swelling of the hands and feet, scalp irritation, and unwanted facial hair growth.  Experiencing any of these potential side effects should result in stopping this hair loss medication.  Additionally Rogaine’s website states that if this treatment for hair loss doesn’t help start to regrow hair in 4 months, then stopping the medication is best. 

I encourage you also to participate and ask your questions to our veteran members of our Hair Restoration Discussion Forum.  Though the majority of our forum members are men, there are a few women who participate regularly as well.

Best wishes,

Bill Seemiller – aka Falceros
Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network and the Hair Loss Learning Center
View my Hair Loss Weblog
To share ideas with other hair loss sufferers visit our Hair Restoration Discussion Forum.

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