Elsevier

Dermatologic Clinics

Volume 28, Issue 3, July 2010, Pages 611-618
Dermatologic Clinics

Innovative Use of Spironolactone as an Antiandrogen in the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.det.2010.03.011Get rights and content

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Etiology of FPHL

The hair loss progresses in a highly reproducible pattern. Exposure of genetically susceptible hair follicles to androgen leads to several changes including hair follicle miniaturization and changes in hair cycle dynamics with shortening of anagen duration and prolongation of telogen duration.

Summary

Women find patterned hair loss distressing. The inconvenience of topical therapy and the slow response and the potential for adverse effects with systemic therapy deter many women from pursuing treatment, as does the need for life-long therapy. Nevertheless, most women who do embark on treatment tolerate the medications well and satisfactorily arrest further hair loss. Many also achieve a moderate degree of hair regrowth that is sustained for the duration of the treatment. Women with FPHL who

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