Topical anti-androgens can be very beneficial to hair loss. Anti-androgens are drugs that reduce or block testosterone – and therefore DHT/5a-reductase - from reaching your hair follicles. Taken orally, the amount of anti-androgens needed to help with hair loss can cause side effects – loss of libido, a lower sperm count and, in women, tender breasts. And sometimes even large doses do not sufficiently reach the scalp.
Applied topically to your scalp and in the right mixture, anti-androgens can be very effective. With men, a dilute solution containing cyproperone acetate (a strong anti-androgen) and medroxy progesterone acetate can have great results. Minoxidil can also be added. While minoxidil on its own usually isn’t helpful, it dilates capillaries on your scalp. This makes absorption of anti-androgens into your scalp easier. The use of topical anti-androgens is long-term, but there is no doubt about their therapeutic effect. Hair loss is at least slowed, often stopped and sometimes improved in thickness.
Many men want to try a combination of all treatments: Propecia, minoxidil and topical anti-androgens. This can be good, but not because of their combined effect. Knowing you are doing everything possible can be satisfying and reassuring.
