How Effective is Spironolactone for Female Hair Loss?

Spironolactone has worked very well for my patients with androgenetic alopecia with Ludwig pattern where there is preservation of hairline along anterior scalp but with significant thinning on the crown. I typically start spironolactone 25mg 2x/day though sometimes dose may have to be increased to 100mg 2x/day. Finasteride is also a good alternative but should be prescribed by board-certified dermatologist. Concurrent use of Rogaine 5% foam also is quite helpful. For women and men who seek relatively quicker and consistent clinical results, NeoGraft hair restoration should be considered where there is no linear scarring, sutures with less downtime compared to traditional hair transplant.

Hello,There are multiple solutions to hair loss for women that are nonsurgical including:
Rogaine- There is a specific formulation for women
Supplements- This includes but not limited to Viviscal and Nutrafol which contain marine extract and anti-inflammatory substances to promote hair growth
PRP- Platelet rich plasma can promote hair growth and is a nonsurgical procedure in the office
Low level laser- Can promote hair growth in some patients
Regenerative medicine- There are additional growth factors which can be injected to promote hair growth
Seek advice from an expert or team of experts. 
Best,
Dr. Anil Shah

Thanks for asking this question. Female hair loss is a hot topic. There are roughly 40% of women who are concerned their hair has lost density. Female hair loss involves thinning without a full loss of the hairline.. For females, spironolactone can be very helpful - though there are concerns. As a potassium-sparing diuretic, so you should have labs checked periodically to ensure that your electrolytes are balanced. The medicine takes 2-4 months to influence hair growth. There is a rule of 1/3s with spironolactone: 1/3 improve, 1/3 stay the same and 1/3 progress with their hair loss. Ultimately, your doctor should guide you.  When it comes to minoxidil, you can stage use to see if you need it. Best of luck.