Rogaine for Female Hair Loss: Effectiveness and Side Effects

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
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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Bill

Bill successfully restored his hair with three hair transplantation procedures. He is now the Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network.com and the Hair Loss Learning Center.org

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View Comments

David (TakingThePlunge) says:

November 29, 2011 at 3:07 am

k wilson,

Unwanted facial hair growth from Rogaine (minoxidil) is typically seen in women who opt to apply the Men's 5% formula. However, it is a known side effect of both the 2% and 5% concentrations and in both men and women.

David (TakingThePlunge)
k wilson says:

November 26, 2011 at 2:51 pm

Very interesting about hair growth on other parts of your face. I have a similar issue and I am very careful about washing my hands, etc. after application. Chin hair has become a major issue. Anybody else have the same problem?
DB says:

September 14, 2009 at 11:24 am

I've been using Rogaine for 5 months now and fortunately for me it works incredibly well. My hair loss involved a tremendous amount of shedding which has completely ceased since beginning treatment.

I've noticed that my hair line has become thicker in fact the fine vellous hairs are now so thick and long I can style them as well.. if that makes any sense.

I must however state that the treatment is not without issue. The itching is intense, so much so that I am now experimenting with an "every two day" application.

The dandruff is uncontrollable, and having dark hair makes it very noticeable.

And, the increased hair growth has spread from my head to my face likely due to the fact that I often touch my head and then my face inadvertently.

My once sparse eyebrows are now full and my eyelashes have grown considerably. I no longer require mascara. I am not advocating using the product for these areas I am stating that this is one of the more positive side effects. However, the hair growing on other parts of my face is not so pleasant. Lots of plucking and even some shaving... yikes.

All in all I am still shocked that rogaine works so well for me. I put off trying it for years despite my dermatologists recommendation because I figured it was just another ploy to get desperate folks to spend their money. But again, it does work but please be prepared for the side effects. It is worth a try despite these issues.