According to the American Hair Loss Council, the most common form of hair loss in women is androgenetic alopecia. Often referred to as female-pattern baldness, it's caused by dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, a derivative of testosterone that harms the follicles along the scalp. This affects the growth cycle of the follicle until it no longer can produce hair. However, there are other reasons why a woman experiences hair loss, such as hormonal changes, infection, trauma and medications, so it's often necessary to consult with a doctor or dermatologist to determine the best course of treatment.
Minoxidil
One of the more effective and affordable hair loss treatments for women is minoxidil. It's a topical medication that both stops hair loss and encourages new hair growth. It's available over-the-counter (OTC) in a 2 percent concentration for women. The prescription strength is actually more effective in treating female-pattern baldness, but it isn't currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for women.
Sold under various brand names, including Rogaine for Women, Provillus for Women, Michael diCesare 2% Minoxidil Hair Regrowth for Women and Minoxidil for Women, a 3-month supply retails between $35.00 and $45.00 as of 2010.
Hormones
The American Hair Loss Council explains that women can experience hair loss due to pregnancy and the cessation of birth control. They can also suffer some thinning during menopause, so there can be a hormonal component to female hair loss. It's possible for women to experience hair growth by taking estrogen, progesterone or even oral contraceptives, advises the American Hair Loss Association.
Prices vary depending on the type of prescription given to you by your doctor or dermatologist. Some of the more common are Desogen, Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho-Cept, Nor-Q D, Micronor, Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Ovcon-35. Your insurance may cover a portion of the cost, especially if your doctor prescribes it for something other than treating hair loss. Otherwise, these medications can run around $58.00 for a month's supply.
Cimetidine
Another affordable hair loss treatment for women is cimetidine, a histamine blocker that can actually affect dihydrotestosterone. A study printed in the "International Journal of Dermatology" showed that 300mg. of cimetidine taken five times a day showed "good to excellent regrowth of hair" in women suffering from moderate to severe androgenetic alopecia. However, this same abstract stated that cimetidine should be used only in select cases.
As of 2010, cimetidine retails for $3.00 to $11.00, depending on the dosage and tablet count. However, before picking up an OTC version of cimetidine, talk to your dermatologist.
Spironolactone
Spironolactone may also help to treat female pattern baldness, according to the American Hair Loss Association. The medication can act as anti-androgen, meaning it can decrease the production of testosterone in women. With the decrease in testosterone, the levels of DHT in the body should also decrease, which helps to combat female-pattern baldness. Women using this medication may experience a slowing in hair loss, but most likely won't see regrowth of hair.
Sold under the brand name of Aldactone, spironolactone retails for around $35.00 for 100 tablet of 100mg. The generic version is less, coming in at around $30.00, as of 2010.
Ketoconazole
Much like spironolactone, ketoconazole can also affect the levels of testosterone in a woman's body, and thereby lower DHT levels. But instead of an oral medication, ketoconazole is administered topically through a shampoo. It's most effective in a prescription strength, asserts the American Hair Loss Association.
Ketoconazole shampoos are sold under the brand name of Nizoral and retail for around $33.00 a bottle, as of 2010.
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