January 17 2006, 8:39 am PT | Posted in: Drugs + Female Hair Loss
I have been prescribed propecia, but have not filled the prescription. I am balding on the crown of my head tremedously and have always had my hair chemically permed for the past 15 years. What can you tell me about females using propecia and would rogaine for females would be something I should consider? What type of doctor can I see for my baldness?
Propecia is not prescribed or recommended for women. If you get pregnant on the drug, there is known side effects that will impact your baby’s sex organ formation. Propecia is not shown safe and effective in women, especially those with tendencies for cancer of the breast, ovary or uterus. Rogaine, on the other hand, is approved for women as it is safe and it may be effective in women for hair loss (the response is variable). I would not take the risk of taking the Propecia, whatever that risk is, especially important to note if pregnancy is possible.
It is true that Propecia is prescribed for men and is not recommended for women who may be pregnant, nursing or planning on becoming pregnant. Understanding that the causes of hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) are quite similar in both men and women, many dermatologists and primary care physicians have prescribed Propecia to post-menopausal women as well as to women who are unable to become pregnant. There is no hard data (yet) as to the success rate for women using Propecia… but that should soon change.
Merck is currently performing clinical trials on post-menopausal women taking daily Propecia. The results should be available by early 2007, and the preliminary results are looking good.