CYPROTERONE ACETATE AS A HAIR LOSS TREATMENT FOR FEMALE PATTERN BALDNESS

Cyproterone acetate is a drug classified as an anti – androgen. It is frequently used on female patients with hirsutism. Women with hirsutism have increased production of testosterone or have over sensitive hair follicles to androgen. Since cyproterone competes with androgen receptors like testosterone, androgenic hair is drastically reduced. In men, this drug used to treat overly aggressive sex drive.

Also, cyproterone inhibits dihydrotesterone or DHT, making it a good hair loss treatment. DHT is the cause of female pattern hair loss. Dihydrotestosterone causes the hair follicles to shrink and become weak, making them unable to create terminal hair. Again, this drug competes with DHT receptors therefore reducing hair fall and stimulate hair growth. It is amazing how this drug stops androgen related hair growth and stimulated hair at the same time by suppressing DHT, which in fact is a potent androgen, much more potent than testosterone.

Though cyproterone is effective in treating female pattern hair loss, it should be used only as a last resort due to its unfavorable side effects like liver toxicity.