Can You Use Minoxidil While Breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding can be a wonderful experience — but it undoubtedly comes with its own set obstacles and challenges. One challenge is that the medications you take can potentially affect your baby. For example, you might be curious about the safety of taking minoxidil while breastfeeding. 

So far, the evidence suggests that there aren’t any major risks of using minoxidil while breastfeeding. But there’s a lack of research on minoxidil breastfeeding, which may be a sign for extra caution. 

Also sold under the brand name Rogaine®, topical minoxidil is an over-the-counter, FDA-approved hair loss treatment. Low-dose oral minoxidil is also used to treat hair loss, including female pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia).  

But can you use Rogaine while breastfeeding? Will your baby experience any adverse effects?

Let’s cover some of the important things you should keep in mind if you’re considering using minoxidil while nursing. We’ll go over the risks of minoxidil treatment for breastfeeding mothers, and we’ll also discuss a few safe alternatives.

Minoxidil comes in different concentrations — usually 2% and 5% — in the form of a topical solution and a foam. You can also use low-dose oral minoxidil to treat hair loss.   

Minoxidil is a vasodilator. This means it relaxes your blood vessels, boosting circulation. It was initially used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), but it also seems to improve hair regrowth by increasing blood flow in the scalp.  

There’s a lack of information about the risks of using minoxidil — both oral and topical — while breastfeeding. Not many studies have been conducted, and most of the information we have is based on case reports.

It’s difficult to study the effects of different medications on breastfeeding, partly because of the ethics around testing medicine on breastfeeding mothers. 

For this reason,  if you’re considering breastfeeding while on minoxidil, you should talk to a healthcare professional. They can give you personalized medical advice and guide you on the risks and benefits of using this treatment. 

That said, here’s what we know at the moment.

Hypertrichosis (Excessive Hair Growth)

First, it’s possible that minoxidil can cause hypertrichosis, or excessive hair growth, to occur in some infants.

For instance, one mother who used topical minoxidil saw her infant develop facial hypertrichosis during the first months after birth. The hair was reported at two months of age, but after the mother discontinued use, the facial hair had disappeared by the time the baby was six months old. 

That infant was born four weeks prematurely, and there were some missing details about the progression of the hair growth that left unanswered questions about the circumstances in which hypertrichosis happened here.

So, while it’s possible that hypertrichosis in this case was caused by the presence of minoxidil in breastmilk, there wasn’t adequate evidence collected to prove it.

Another mother, meanwhile, used oral minoxidil during pregnancy, and her breastfed infant experienced no noted side effects. 

Lactation Risks 

There isn’t much research about how minoxidil affects lactation and milk supply. For this reason, there’s next to no information about whether minoxidil can affect milk production. 

If you’ve struggled with producing enough milk in the past, it’s worth discussing with a healthcare professional.

Birth Defects

What about the safety of minoxidil during pregnancy?

While studies are few and far between, there is at least one instance where a woman using minoxidil has given birth to a baby with birth defects. 

The baby of a 28-year-old woman who used a 2% topical minoxidil solution was found to have vascular, heart, and brain abnormalities, which was reason enough to recommend that women not use minoxidil topical products during pregnancy.

Of course, birth defects are not related to lactation and breastfeeding, but this is an important reminder that minoxidil before birth isn’t a good idea. 

Because of the lack of information on minoxidil and breastfeeding, it might be best to avoid using minoxidil altogether.  

If you’re using minoxidil to treat hair loss, you should know that there are many treatments out there.

 Giving birth can cause excessive hair shedding, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. This is a form of temporary hair loss called telogen effluvium. Fortunately, postpartum hair loss resolves itself over time. 

So, while minoxidil can speed up the hair regrowth process, you’ll also be fine if you just wait it out. 

Some breastfeeding-friendly hair loss remedies include:

• Eat a healthy diet. Remember that you may need to take in more calories while breastfeeding. Certain nutritional deficiencies cause hair loss. Eating a balanced, varied diet is great for your baby, your milk supply, and your hairline. 

• Using hair growth supplements. Certain supplements, like biotin gummies or prenatal vitamins, can improve hair regrowth in people with nutritional deficiencies. Always seek advice from a healthcare practitioner before using supplements while pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Quality hair products. A clean scalp means healthy hair. Use quality hair care products to keep your hair healthy and lush. A volumizing shampoo and conditioner can improve the appearance of limp, thin hair.

• Gentle hair care techniques. Rough hair styling techniques can cause hair breakage and, in some cases, hair loss. To avoid this, get into the habit of styling your hair gently — avoid excessive heat styling, rough towel drying, and harsh chemical treatments.

• Stress management. New parents are no stranger to stress, and stress-related hair loss is a thing. Managing stress well, asking for help, and speaking with a mental health professional can make this new chapter in your life easier to transition into. 

If you experienced hair loss before pregnancy, you might be experiencing a different type of hair loss — like female pattern baldness or alopecia areata. You may want to consult with a dermatologist or another expert to discuss your options.

Hair loss may be distressing, but a newborn’s health is incredibly fragile. So, while there are few known risks of using minoxidil while breastfeeding, you might want to err on the side of caution. 

Here’s a summary of what you need to know about minoxidil and breastfeeding:

• There aren’t enough studies on minoxidil and breastfeeding. While there aren’t any well-established risks, there isn’t enough research to say that it’s safe. 

• Postpartum hair loss is common. It’s usually temporary, though, and there are many other hair loss treatments and techniques you use to promote hair regrowth. 

• Ask an expert. It’s worth speaking to a knowledgeable healthcare provider about your treatment options. They can help you weigh up the risks and benefits of using minoxidil while breastfeeding.

If you’re looking for the answers you need, we can help. Our hair health resources are a great place to start your learning process, and we can help you book an online consultation with a healthcare professional.