Minoxidil for Women Side Effects: What to Know

Ladies, if you’re on a quest for fuller, thicker hair, you may have come across minoxidil — sold under the brand name Rogaine® — a common (and effective) hair loss treatment. But minoxidil for women side effects should be considered before using it.

At the moment, topical minoxidil is the only FDA-approved treatment for female pattern hair loss, aka androgenetic alopecia. (It’s also approved to treat male pattern baldness.)

Before you imagine yourself twirling Rapunzel-like locks, let’s take a moment to chat about the “fine print” — those pesky (potential) side effects that should weigh into the decision about which hair loss treatment you choose.

So, what are the side effects of minoxidil in females? We’ll discuss the various types of minoxidil for women, side effects you might experience, and how to use this medication safely.

About 40 percent of women experience some degree of female pattern hair loss before they turn 50. Many are turning to interventions like minoxidil for thinning hair.

But minoxidil wasn’t always a renowned hair loss drug. It was actually first developed to manage hypertension (high blood pressure). So how did we get from blood pressure to hair loss?

During clinical trials for its use in hypertension, researchers observed an unexpected side effect: increased hair growth. This discovery led to further research and, eventually, minoxidil’s approval as a treatment for hair loss.

How Does Minoxidil Treat Women’s Hair Loss?

Minoxidil acts as a vasodilator, meaning it widens blood vessels and improves blood flow. This brings more oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles to help kick dormant (resting) hair into the anagen (growth) phase. Researchers believe this is one of the ways it works to promote hair growth in people with pattern hair loss.

Minoxidil can potentially benefit other types of hair loss, including prolonged telogen effluvium — a temporary form of hair shedding usually caused by stress, shock, or illness.

How Long Does It Take Minoxidil to Work on Women?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, many users notice hair regrowth after six to 12 months of using minoxidil. Consistency is key.

Minoxidil is a great choice for women experiencing hair loss, as it’s generally considered safe and effective. But, as with all medications, it does carry a risk of certain side effects.

Keep reading for a rundown of potential minoxidil for women side effects to look out for.

If you’re interested in trying minoxidil or are concerned about the minoxidil side effects women might experience, the first step is to understand the different forms of the medication and how they’re used.

Topical Minoxidil

The FDA-approved topical version of minoxidil is applied directly to the scalp. It comes in the form of:

• Minoxidil solution 2% (liquid drops)

• Minoxidil foam 5%

One of the biggest selling points of topical minoxidil is that it can be purchased over the counter without a prescription. You can get Hers minoxidil in the form of drops, foam, or as part of a complete Hair Loss Kit.

For best results, up to 1 milliliter (mL) of the liquid solution should be applied to the affected area twice daily for at least 12 months. With minoxidil foam, you’d use about half a capful once a day.

Minoxidil solution for women is available as a 2% liquid. The percentage tells you how much of the active ingredient (minoxidil) is in the formula. Whether minoxidil 2% versus 5% is better depends on the person, but both can be effective for hair loss in women.

Oral Minoxidil

The tablet form of minoxidil was FDA-approved in the ’70s to treat high blood pressure.

While oral minoxidil isn’t approved by the FDA to treat hair loss, some healthcare professionals prescribe low doses off-label for this purpose.

Good to know: “Off-label” doesn’t mean it’s illegal or dodgy. It just means a drug has been approved by the FDA for one specific use, but a provider has determined it medically appropriate for another purpose.

Healthcare providers may prescribe medications off-label when:

• No FDA-approved drug is available for a specific condition

• Approved treatments (or an approved form of a medication) have proven ineffective

• They believe an off-label use may be more effective or appropriate for a patient’s specific situation

The adult dosage of oral minoxidil to treat hypertension is 5 to 40 milligrams (mg) per day. However, for hair loss, significantly lower doses are used, typically between 0.5 to 5 milligrams daily. This minimizes potential side effects while promoting hair growth.

Topical Minoxidil & Finasteride Spray

Oral finasteride is an FDA-approved treatment for male pattern hair loss only (not female pattern hair loss). But it’s sometimes prescribed to women off-label.

In topical spray form, women — postmenopausal women, particularly — might see benefits for hair loss.

Finasteride negates the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a testosterone-derived hormone that can weaken hair follicles and lead to androgenetic alopecia.

Our two-in-one minoxidil & finasteride spray is a mess-free option designed for postmenopausal women who don’t want to take a pill. It combines two types of hair loss treatments to promote healthier, thicker hair. Finasteride prevents further hair loss, while minoxidil promotes new hair growth.

A 2020 study of 119 women found that a topical combination of finasteride 0.5% and minoxidil 2% was a promising treatment option for postmenopausal female pattern hair loss. The combination was more effective than a mixture of minoxidil 2% with the steroid 17α-estradiol, even at a one-year follow-up.

Hers minoxidil & finasteride spray is meant for daily use. Just prime the sprayer by holding it upright and pumping it five times. Then apply the prescribed amount to areas of the scalp affected by hair loss. 

Like all medications, topical minoxidil has a few potential adverse effects. While these side effects are generally uncommon and mild, you should be aware of them before starting treatment.

Topical minoxidil goes directly on your scalp, so any reactions will most likely be localized to where it’s applied.

Based on clinical trials of topical minoxidil, some of the more common side effects include:

• Scalp irritation and itchiness

• Slight burning sensation

• Changes in hair color or texture

• Allergic reactions

Minoxidil foams and liquids may contain ingredients like alcohol and propylene glycol to help dissolve minoxidil for better absorption. So even if you’re not sensitive to minoxidil, you could experience a skin reaction if you’re sensitive to these other substances.

You might be antsy to get minoxidil out of the bottle and onto your head. But just as you’re supposed to test a stain stick on an old shirt before making it your go-to coffee remover, it’s smart to do a minoxidil patch test first.

For most women, skin reactions triggered by topical minoxidil are mild and usually go away on their own. And serious reactions are rare with this medication. 

Still, it’s always best to talk to your healthcare provider if you experience anything strange — and seek immediate medical attention if you notice symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, including rash, itching, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness, or trouble breathing.

Less Common Topical Minoxidil for Women Side Effects

Though less common, other potential topical minoxidil for women side effects may include:

• Unwanted hair growth on the face or body, called hypertrichosis

• Acne-like breakouts on the scalp

• Facial swelling

• Systemic reactions (like fast heartbeat)

• Headaches

Of course, some of these could be triggered by other things, like stress, hormones, or personal care products. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any new symptoms.

After starting minoxidil, you might also experience a bit of hair shedding before your hair starts growing again. Don’t worry — this is temporary, and it’s a sign your hair follicles are about to kick into the growth phase.

As with all prescription medications, oral minoxidil should be used only as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Although low-dose oral minoxidil is generally considered safe for both men and women, there can be side effects — especially if it’s not used as prescribed.

If you’re taking minoxidil tablets for female hair loss, side effects can include:

• Hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth on areas other than the scalp), affecting around one-fifth of people who use oral minoxidil

• Lightheadedness

• Heart palpitations or fast heart rate

• Excessive sweating

• Headache

• Difficulty falling or staying asleep

• Fluid retention (which can show up as leg swelling or unexpected weight gain)

• Chest pain

• Allergic reactions

These effects are more concerning, so let your healthcare provider know if you’re experiencing any of them.

Like topical minoxidil, oral minoxidil may lead to an increase in hair shedding when you first start it. This is a temporary side effect that’ll ultimately set off new hair regrowth.

Here are some of the potential side effects of minoxidil that women (or anyone) might experience. The adverse effects depend on whether you use FDA-approved topical minoxidil or are prescribed oral minoxidil off-label as a female hair loss treatment.

Certain medical conditions can worsen with minoxidil use. The medication may not be safe to take if you have a history of:

• Heart attack, stroke, or heart failure

• Angina (chest pain)

• Heart or blood vessel disease

• Kidney disease

• Pheochromocytoma (a rare adrenal gland tumor)

If you have any of these health conditions, let your healthcare provider know before using or requesting a prescription for minoxidil.

Is Minoxidil Safe for Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women?

Side effects could potentially affect your baby if you’re breastfeeding. While the risks of breastfeeding on minoxidil aren’t well-known, it’s generally not recommended.

It’s also not a good idea to use it during pregnancy. Speak with a medical provider if you’re considering using minoxidil while pregnant or breastfeeding.

If your healthcare provider prescribes oral minoxidil, they’ll probably ask about other medications you’re taking.

It’s crucial to be 100 percent honest about this, as certain medications and supplements can lead to drug interactions with minoxidil, meaning it could trigger serious side effects. 

A 2022 review of 32 articles evaluated whether topical finasteride is safe and effective for hair loss. In a study comparing topical 0.25% finasteride spray to 1-milligram oral finasteride, the treatments were found to be equally effective after 24 weeks of use. 

The authors concluded that using finasteride topically, like in a combination spray, is generally safe. Compared to taking finasteride orally, this form of treatment also reduces the risk of whole-body side effects like sexual dysfunction.

The most common side effects of two-in-one topical minoxidil and finasteride products appear to be related to where it’s applied, such as:

• Itchy scalp

• Skin irritation

• Skin redness

• A burning sensation

• Contact dermatitis — non-contagious skin inflammation showing up as itchiness, rash, bumps, swelling, or small blisters  

Additionally, finasteride is classified as a pregnancy category X drug. This means it shouldn’t be used by pregnant women or those planning to become pregnant. 

Animal studies have found that finasteride can lead to abnormally developed genitals in male fetuses. Breastfeeding women should also avoid it, as the medication could be transferred through breast milk.

Finally, follow your provider’s dosing instructions. Using more topical finasteride or minoxidil than directed won’t result in more hair growth or less hair loss.

A quick PSA: Your hair doesn’t define you as a woman. Just as blonde or brunette strands turn gray, it’s okay to embrace changes in your hair and rewrite the narrative around beauty standards.

But if you want to pursue treatment for hair loss, that’s okay too. 

While many women look great rocking a shaved head, unintentional or unexpected hair loss can be concerning. If you want to treat hair loss and hair thinning, minoxidil treatment can be a good choice.

If you don’t have an underlying medical condition behind your hair loss and are considering minoxidil, remember this:

• Topical minoxidil is the gold standard. Minoxidil has been extensively studied and used with success by women struggling with hair loss for many years.

• Consistency is key. Minoxidil requires consistent, long-term use to be effective. Hair loss usually resumes if you stop treatment.

• There are some potential side effects of minoxidil in females. Topical minoxidil for women is generally safe, but like any medication, there’s a risk of side effects. Adverse effects are usually mild and temporary, though.

• There are alternatives to minoxidil for women. If you’re unable to use minoxidil, there are other hair loss treatments to consider — like supplements, hair growth shampoos, and gentle styling techniques. 

Your healthcare provider or a dermatologist can help. Even if you’re not looking for a prescription, it’s helpful to talk to your provider about new hair loss. They can offer medical advice and treatment recommendations.

Ready to take a step toward healthier, happier hair? Take our free hair quiz to see what options may work for your needs.