Systemic cyproterone acetate and 5% minoxidil topical in the treatment of female pattern hair loss
Keywords:
Female pattern hair loss, cyproterone acetate, 5% minoxidilAbstract
Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of systemic cyproterone acetate and 5%topical minoxidil solution in female pattern hair loss (FPHL). Patients and methods This was a six month open trial of 2mg cyproterone acetate and 35µg ethinyl estradiol (Diane35®) for 21 days of each cycle and 50 mg cyproterone acetate for 10 days along with diane35 and 5%topical minoxidil,1ml twice daily for all days of treatment. Study was conducted on out patients at Abassi Shaheed Hospital/ Aga Khan Hospital, Karachi. 26 females with FPHL were included in the study. Results At six months, compared with base line there was a statistically significant improvement in hair growth/decrease or no loss of hair reported. Both treatment regimens were well tolerated. There was no progression of FPHL in all patients. Conclusion Systemic cyproterone acetate and 5%topical minoxidil are effective and safe in FPHL.ÂReferences
Oslen EA, Weiners MS, Delong ER, Pinnel SR. Topical minoxidil in early male pattern baldness. J Am Accad Dermatol 1985; 13: 185-92.
Devillez RL, Jaccob JP, Szpunam CA, Warner ML. Androgenetic alopecia in females: treatment with 2% minoxidil solution. Arch Dermatol 1994; 130: 303-7.
Oslen EA, Duntap FE, Fumicella T et al. A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil vs 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men. J Am Accad Dermatol 2002; 47: 377-85.
Scheinfeld N. A review of hormonal therapy for female pattern (androgenic) alopecia. Dermatol Online J 2008; 14: 1.
Lee WS, Ro BI, Hong SP et al. A new classification of pattern of hair loss that is universal for men and women: Basic and Specific classification. J Am Accad Dermatol 2007; 57: 37-46.
Sinclair R, Wewerike M, Jolley D. Treatment of female pattern hair loss with oral antiandrogens. Br J Dermatol 2005; 152: 466-73.
Peereboom-Wynia JD, van der Willigen AH, van Joost T, Stolz E. The effect of cyproterone acetate on hair roots and hair shaft diameter in androgenetic alopecia in females. Acta Derm Venereol 1989; 69: 395-8.
Ellis JA, Stebbing M, Harrap SB. Polymorphism of the androgen receptor is associated with male pattern baldness. J Invest Dermatol 2001; 116: 452-5.
Harrison S, Ellis J, Sinclair R, Harrap S. The genetics of female androgenetic alopecia. Australas J Dermatol 2003; 44: A11.