For years men have had several options for treating their hair loss but women not so much. The problem of male pattern baldness has had millions of dollars of research funding directed to it by both governmental agencies and private practice physicians. Females, on the other hand, who have experienced hair loss in the past have had to choose from one of two options neither of which is very satisfactory. First, they could cover the problem over with a scarf or bandana, or, they could cover up the hair thinning with a wig made from either natural hairs or man made fibers. None of these options really addressed the actual problem, they just tried to hide it.
Women hair restoration treatments took a large step forward when it was found that a drug originally developed to treat high blood pressure actually seemed to alleviate hair loss caused by both male and female pattern hair loss. This drug, Minoxidil, was originally formulated to cause the tiny blood vessels in the body to increase in cross section. It was thought this would decrease blood pressure since the blood could pass through the capillaries much easier. This actually was the case but another interesting effect was noted. The men in the original human trials found that not only did their blood pressure go down but their male pattern baldness symptoms also were alleviated. In some cases, hair actually started to re-grow in bald areas.
This drug has been sold for men under the brand name Rogaine for years. Now there is a Rogaine for Women that is formulated especially to treat female pattern hair loss. This is a dramatic development because most treatments that have worked well for men have not transferred to females. For example, another drug, Finasteride, works well for treating hair loss in men but women are not even allowed to touch the tablets with their fingers. Apparently there is a high possibility of birth defects in childbearing women who ingest the active ingredient in this drug.
It is high time one of the therapies for men hair restoration was also found to be acceptable for women.
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