Can Female Patients Take Propecia (finasteride) for Hair Loss?

This question comes from a member of our Hair Loss Social Community and Discussion Forums:

I’m in my twenties and recently noticed my hair started thinning. After doing some personal research, it seems like Propecia (finasteride) is a proven hair restoration medication used frequently by hair loss sufferers. However, I’m wondering if female patients can use Propecia (finasteride) to fight hair loss?

Propecia (finasteride) is NOT for female use.

I think you should make an appointment with a hair restoration expert and see what they recommend for your female hair loss. There are some good female hair restoration products available, such as Rogaine for Women, but because it may present unknown carcinogenic risks in females and is damaging to fetuses in pregnant women, Propecia should not be utilized by female patients.

Here is Merck Pharmaceutical’s official statement:

PROPECIA is for the treatment of male pattern hair loss in  MEN ONLY and  should NOT be used by women or children.

Women who are or may potentially be pregnant must not use PROPECIA and should not handle crushed or broken PROPECIA tablets because the active ingredient may cause abnormalities of a male baby’s sex organs. If a woman who is pregnant comes into contact with the active ingredient in PROPECIA, a doctor should be consulted.  PROPECIA tablets are coated and will prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling, provided that the tablets are not broken or crushed.
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Blake Bloxham – formerly “Future_HT_Doc”

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