As baldness goes on to be the top cosmetic headache in the nation, there are various remedies hitting the marketplace. Rogaine, a topical ointment is sanctioned by the Food and Drug Administration for men and women, along with Propecia, utilized in a daily pill form is widely prescribed for men as a finasteride hair loss treatment.

Proscar, in the first place developed with five milligrams average dosage of finasteride, has been used since 1992 as a treatment for prostate enlargement in men. In higher dosages with is used for the treatment of prostate cancer and more recently in low dosages, of about one milligram, finasteride hair loss treatment is showing some success. However, the drug is also known to cause birth defects if taken by women, even in low doses and shouldn’t even be handled by pregnant women or those who believe they may be pregnant.

With the price of Propecia higher than Proscar, some obtain the less expensive pills and cut them into sizes approximating the proper daily dosage to use as a finasteride hair loss treatment. Yet the small amount possibly available to come into contact with a female, can induce birth defects and cutting the pills is not suggested. Studies have demonstrated finasteride hair loss treatment to be ineffectual in women, but many debate the study was done with post-menopausal women and the hair loss could be related to lack of estrogen and not an step-up in testosterone.

DHT Reduction Found In Propecia Users

The common notion that male pattern baldness is induced by an enzyme that changes testosterone into Dihydrotestosterone, which causes hair follicle to stop growing hair, can be decreased with finasteride hair loss treatment. Studies have shown no increase in DHT in the hair once a finasteride hair loss treatment has begun. Commonly, a person using finasteride for hair loss, is notified they will need to carry on its use forever but the manufacturer indicates other hair loss cures available or that are expected to be available, should allow for discontinuance in the future.

There are a few side effects for men when applying finasteride hair loss treatment such as one percent suffering erectile dysfunction, and less than one percent experience swelling or soreness in the breasts. Side effects are said to disappear once drug use has stopped. Another side effect that some consider positive, is that in users of finasteride for hair loss also have experienced a reduced number with enlarged prostate and prostate cancer.

Hair loss treatment for women is not vitally important to the companies that provide solutions to this problem because there are not many women who suffer hair loss. Fifty percent of men over the age of fifty suffer from hair loss, but only a very small percentage of women suffer from hair loss.

Many women who do suffer hair loss also suffer from serious diseases which cause the hair loss. Often the focus is on the underlying cause rather than the hair loss so once the underlying condition is cured, the hair begins to grow again. Some of these women suffer hair loss because of cancer treatments. Once these treatments are completed, the hair loss problem disappears with the disease.

Women who suffer from hair loss do not have the same problem as men so the hair loss treatment for women differs substantially. Most men who suffer hair loss do not regain their hair without some kind of treatment. Women who suffer from hair loss often naturally reverse the problem over time. Men who suffer often lose much of the hair on their head while women tend to keep a fair amount of hair over their heads. Women usually suffer thinning of the hair rather than totally losing the hair.

Hair Loss Treatment For Women Focuses On Specific Problems

Some information points to the loss of the hormone estrogen as the reason for hair loss in women. There is a school of thought that estrogen can be replaced, and the hair loss will stop. Estrogen in the form of birth control pills can be an effective hair loss treatment for women. This can have some harmful side effects so all women would be wise to check their progress carefully after they start this program. Women sometimes suffer from small round bald patches in their scalp. Sometimes these small bald patches appear, but they disappear quickly without further treatment.

There is at least one cream provided by a drug manufacturer that will help all women who suffer temporary or potentially long term hair loss. These creams do promote the growth of hair in spots damaged by hair loss. Women can also buy and wear a wig to cover up the signs of hair loss. The wigs available on the market are expensive and uncomfortable, but often they look more realistic than similar hairpieces for men. These can be a temporary substitute for a hair loss treatment for women.