Hair Loss Drugs OTC
Finasteride
Propecia is a pill used for the treatment of male pattern hair loss on the vertex (top of head) and anterior mid-scalp area (middle front of head).
Minoxidil
Rogaine is used for encouraging hair regrowth in patients who are experiencing gradually thinning hair or gradual hair loss on the top of the head.
Women and baldness
Hair loss and baldness is not that common among women as that in men. Hair loss or baldness is not that noticeable in women as in men as the pattern of hair loss is different.
Hair loss and baldness in women can be due to many reasons. Just like the male pattern baldness, there is the female pattern baldness. The female pattern baldness comes around the top of the head unlike the male pattern baldness that comes in the temple, crown and sides of the scalp.
Hormonal imbalance is considered to be a cause of hair loss and baldness in women. A woman can come across hormonal imbalances even after her menopause. The drop in estrogen levels is one of the causes that lead to female pattern baldness.
Another reason for hair loss and baldness in women is the development of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
Women who are taking medicines like birth control pills, blood thinners, chemotherapy drugs and anti-cholesterol medicines are likely to experience hair loss and baldness. Some of the medicines may act like androgens, which increases the level of testosterone which in turn increases dihydrotestosterone or DHT that causes female pattern baldness.
Women having certain illness like thyroid under or over activity and diabetes can lead to hair loss and baldness. Those who have undergone major surgeries are liable to come across hair loss.
Some other reasons that could lead to baldness in women include anorxia, anemia, excess Vitamin A, bulimia and deficiency of fatty acids or Zinc.
