The most common form of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, according to the American Hair Loss Association. Often referred to as male- or female-pattern baldness, it's characterized by an excessive amount of hair loss. Regardless of whether it develops in a man or a woman, the most effective form of treatment is early detection. This is largely due to the fact that most medications that treat hair loss work best at the onset of the condition.
Finasteride
The American Hair Loss Association lists finasteride as the first line of defense against male-pattern baldness. It's an oral medication only available by prescription. It works by inhibiting the production of DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, a derivative of testosterone responsible for hair loss. When the follicles of the scalp are exposed to this androgen, they suffer a miniaturization, which causes a cessation of hair growth. When a man takes finasteride, DHT levels decline, slowing the progression of hair loss and stimulating hair regrowth.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is another medication proven to stop hair loss and stimulate the growth of new hair, according to the Mayo Clinic. Instead of a pill, minoxidil is administered in a topical solution. Both genders can benefit from its use, but the American Hair Loss Association claims that women respond better to this medication than men. It's applied directly to the scalp twice a day to provide results.
Hormone Therapy
When hair loss is caused by hormonal changes, many women respond favorably to hormone replacement. As estrogen and progesterone levels decline, as is often seen in menopause, testosterone can become the prevalent hormone in the body, according to the American Hair Loss Association. This can lead to an increased production of DHT, triggering hair loss. By supplementing the production of these female hormones, DHT levels can decline, ceasing hair loss and causing hair regrowth.
Oral Contraceptives
The American Hair Loss Association also suggests oral contraceptives to treat hair loss as a result of hormonal changes in women. Oral contraceptives decrease the production of androgens in the female body. As androgen levels decline, so does the level of DHT in the body. With lowered DHT, follicles no longer shrink in size, ceasing hair loss and encouraging hair growth.
Spironolactone
Another medication that can treat early hair loss in women is spironolactone. This prescription medication slows the production of androgens as well as keeps DHT from interacting with the hair follicles, according to the American Hair Loss Association. This not only reduces the amount of DHT in the body, but also keeps follicles from shrinking, which stops hair loss and encourages hair growth.
Cimetidine
Cimetidine works similarly to spironolactone, in that it keeps DHT from shrinking the hair follicles in women. This slows the progression of hair loss and can encourage the regrowth of lost hair.
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