Is fenasteride safe for women as a hair loss treatment?

The safety of finasteride for women as a hair loss treatment is nuanced. Dr. Kyle Gillette discusses that while women can experience androgenetic alopecia (similar to male pattern baldness), treatment options need to be carefully considered. One promising method is finasteride mesotherapy, which involves localized injections in the scalp. This method targets androgen receptors locally, potentially minimizing systemic side effects that could affect other tissues sensitive to DHT 1.

However, systemic DHT inhibition in women can result in adverse effects, given that DHT is active in the central nervous system and binds to androgen receptors, influencing motivation and other physiological functions. Thus, systemic use of finasteride might not be ideal due to these broader impacts 1.

Therefore, finasteride localized treatments may be a safer alternative, but systemic use should be approached with caution and under the guidance of a healthcare provider.