Spironolactone Hair Growth
Spironolactone is a prescription medication that can improve conditions of both hair loss and male-pattern body hair (hirsutism) in some women. Available under the brand name Aldactone, spironolactone commonly is used to treat heart failure; treatment of hair loss and body hair is an off-label use but a commonly accepted one.
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Why it Works
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Spironolactone is an anti-androgen, meaning that it inhibits the biological effects of androgens (male sex hormones) and can be helpful for women who are suffering from hair loss or hirsutism as a result of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Spironolactone helps correct the hormone imbalances from PCOS and, in doing so, improves hair problems caused by that imbalance.
How to Get It
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Talk to your doctor to determine if spironolactone is right for you Spironolactone is available by prescription only. If your doctor determines that your hair loss or excess body hair are a result of a hormone imbalance, she may prescribe spironolactone to you. Dosage is usually between 50mg and 200mg.
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Side Effects
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Spironolactone's common side effects include irregular menstrual periods, frequent urination, increased sensitivity to the sun, breast tenderness, hair loss, digestive upsets or headaches. Consult your doctor for more information.
Potassium
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You may need to avoid foods rich in potassium. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, so your doctor may instruct you to limit your potassium intake and monitor your potassium levels. You may not be eligible to take this medication if you have kidney problems or if you are taking medication for heart failure or high blood pressure.
Spironolactone and Birth Control
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Sexually active women should not use spironolactone without reliable birth control, as the drug can cause birth defects in a male fetus. According to Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, spironolactone is more effective when taken with low-dose hormonal birth control. Some birth control pills that are combined with ethinyl estradiol (such as Yaz and Yasmin) contain an analog of spironolactone.
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References
- Photo Credit hair image by Pavel Vlasov from Fotolia.com pills and bottle image by Paul Hill from Fotolia.com bananas image by Kalani from Fotolia.com
