Does Minoxidil Work for Women?

Minoxidil, the active ingredient in Rogaine®, is probably one of the most popular hair loss treatments out there. Although it’s often marketed toward men, minoxidil does work for women as well. In fact, topical minoxidil is actually the most commonly recommended hair loss treatment for women.

Let’s talk about the research backing up this answer to the question, ‘does minoxidil work for women?’ We’ll also discuss minoxidil for women side effects and safety, and offer up a few alternatives to minoxidil.

Long story short, yes — minoxidil is an effective hair loss treatment for women.

Minoxidil moves hair follicles from the telogen phase into the anagen phase, meaning your strands start growing instead of remaining in the rest portion of the hair growth cycle. It also extends the duration of the growth phase, meaning your hair follicles spend more time growing before each hair sheds from your scalp. Minoxidil can even help regrow hair in previously dormant follicles.

And unlike many over-the-counter hair loss treatments, minoxidil is backed by a large amount of scientific research — including studies that involve female participants.

For example, a 48-week placebo-controlled study looked at the effects of 5% topical minoxidil and 2% topical minoxidil in 381 women with female pattern hair loss. The women in the study applied minoxidil twice a day.

At the end of the 48 weeks, researchers found that hair regrowth and scalp coverage increased in both treatment groups.

However, the prescription strength mattered. The 5% group experienced the best results, while the 2% group experienced superior results to the placebo group.

Further research — like this 2020 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology — has similarly confirmed that minoxidil works for women. The study, which involved 52 participants, found that both topical and oral minoxidil increased hair density in women with female pattern baldness.

What does that mean for you? While results can vary from person to person, women can generally expect to see some improvement after using minoxidil for about two to four months. We recommend taking monthly check-in photos so you can compare your own progress with before-and-after shots.

Minoxidil comes in a few different forms. There’s an FDA-approved topical as well as oral minoxidil, which is emerging but not yet FDA-approved for the treatment of hair loss. There’s also a new option that combines minoxidil with finasteride.

Topical Minoxidil

If you prefer a topical solution to pills, you can usually opt for a minoxidil foam or minoxidil drops.

Applying it is as easy as one, two, three:

1. The jury is still out on whether it's best to apply minoxidil to a dry or damp scalp, but make sure you at least towel dry your hair, so you aren't applying minoxidil to soaking wet hair.

2. Apply the minoxidil solution to the affected areas of your scalp. The dosage should be listed on the packaging, but typically, you’ll use one dropper of minoxidil solution or half a capful of minoxidil foam.

3. If necessary, you can spread the minoxidil solution over the target area using your fingers. Just make sure to wash your hands immediately if you apply minoxidil with your fingers.

For best absorption, allow the minoxidil to dry naturally, and do not use a hairdryer to dry the liquid solution.

It’s best to avoid wearing hats or other garments that cover your scalp for two to four hours after using minoxidil. You should also avoid shampooing your hair for those four hours after using minoxidil to get the most bang for your buck.

Oral Minoxidil

Recent studies have shown that low-dose oral minoxidil can be an effective treatment for numerous hair disorders, including female-patterned hair loss.  While many healthcare providers will prescribe it off-label, we do need to note that oral minoxidil isn’t actually approved by the FDA to treat hair loss in women.

This once-daily pill is as easy as throwing back a glass of water. Oral minoxidil might be especially great for women who don't like to wash hair often (no judgment here) or dry shampoo devotees, since oral minoxidil won’t alter your styling options.

Additionally, if you’ve tried topical minoxidil in the past and it didn't work for you, you may find you have better luck with the oral form. Minoxidil requires the presence of an enzyme called follicular sulfotransferase, and oral minoxidil seems to require less enzymatic activity to become activated. So while a topical treatment wouldn’t work in this case, an oral form may help.

Minoxidil and Finasteride Hair Growth Spray

A combination of 6% minoxidil and 0.3% finasteride meet in this prescription-strength hair growth spray.

While minoxidil has been the gold standard for treating women's hair loss,  finasteride also shows promise in the treatment of female pattern hair loss, particularly in postmenopausal women.

Currently, oral finasteride is only FDA-approved to treat androgenetic alopecia in men (that is, male pattern baldness). But more recently, topical finasteride has been used-label as a hair loss treatment for women, especially when combined with minoxidil.

If you’re wondering, ‘is minoxidil safe?,’ rest assured — there’s plenty of research that verifies that it’s safe for women to use. That said, minoxidil for women side effects can and do occur.

Depending on the formulation, the most common topical minoxidil side effects are:

• Dermatitis (scalp irritation or rash)

• Scalp itchiness or flaking

• Slight burning sensation

• Headache

• Allergic reactions

For oral minoxidil, possible side effects can include:

• Hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth)

• Inflammation or swelling (edema)

• An increased heart rate (tachycardia)

• Hypotension (high blood pressure)

• Heart issues, like pericarditis and tamponade

• Allergic reactions

These side effects are rare, but serious.

If you’re on oral minoxidil and experience chest pains, go straight to the emergency room.

It’s also worth noting that there’s no research to verify whether minoxidil is safe to use during pregnancy or when breastfeeding. Hers only prescribes oral minoxidil to females who report they are not pregnant, planning to get pregnant within the next year, or breastfeeding.

While side effects of minoxidil are rare, it’s always best to check with your dermatologist or healthcare provider for the most appropriate medical advice.

If these minoxidil is a no-go for you, you might have other options. Other hair loss treatments for women include:

• Prescription DHT-blockers like spironolactone, which helps treat hair loss at a hormonal level

• Hair regrowth supplements like biotin gummies, which address nutrient deficiencies that can cause hair loss

• In-office hair loss treatments, like platelet-rich plasma treatment or laser therapy, which stimulate new hair growth

• Hair transplants, which can be an option for women who have experienced significant hair shedding

The treatment you choose depends on the type of hair loss you’re experiencing, so it’s important to seek a professional opinion.

If you’re concerned about your hair thinning, know that you do have treatment options. One of those options is minoxidil — which, as it turns out, does work for women and is safe for them to use.

Let’s sum it up:

• Women can use minoxidil. Research shows that minoxidil is a both safe and effective treatment for women who are dealing with hair loss.

• There are a few different forms of minoxidil. We offer topical minoxidil (in both 2% drops and 5% foam formulations), oral minoxidil, and a combo of minoxidil and finasteride spray.

• Side effects aren’t common, but they are possible. The more common side effects of minoxidil include skin irritation and itchiness. Serious side effects can happen, but they’re rare.

If you’ve already made the decision that you’re ready for hair loss treatment, meet with one of our medical providers online right from your own home.