Finasteride in The Treatment of Female Androgenic Alopecia

Hair loss in women is twice more distressing in women when compared to men. The most common cause of hair loss in women is Female Androgenic Alopecia (FAGA) which shows Ludwig, Christmas tree, Hamilton pattern. Androgenic alopecia is due to the increased activity of 5α-reductase in the hair follicles which results in the gradual transformation of large, terminal follicles to small, miniaturized follicles. Finasteride is a 5α-reductase II enzyme which inhibits the conversion of testosterone to dihydro testosterone and is effectively used in the management of the male pattern androgenic alopecia with a dose of 1mg/day but this article mainly reviews the use of Finasteride in the female androgenic alopecia. Studies so far reported increased scalp hair counts, hair density, hair regrowth both by the patient assessment and photographs by the blinded expert panel. Relevant literatures were chosen to determine the efficacy of Finasteride in the treatment of female Androgenic Alopecia.