Your GoodRx Guide to Propecia (Finasteride) For Women

​Hair loss can be a frustrating experience for women — especially when it doesn’t improve with the use of Rogaine (minoxidil) or other over-the-counter (OTC) treatments.

Propecia (finasteride) is a prescription medication that treats male pattern baldness. But what about Propecia for women? Is it effective, and more importantly, is it safe? Here, we’ll take a closer look at finasteride for women, including how it works and its effectiveness as well as possible side effects.

Does Propecia work for female pattern hair loss?

Yes. Propecia may help with female pattern hair loss. But there are some things to consider before taking it:

• Finasteride (the active ingredient in Propecia) can cause serious harm to an unborn fetus. So it isn’t safe to take finasteride if you’re pregnant or trying to become pregnant.

• Finasteride works well for male pattern hair loss. But there’s mixed evidence as to how effective Propecia is for female pattern hair loss compared with other treatment options (more on this later).

• Propecia isn’t FDA-approved for women. So its use is considered off-label for female pattern hair loss, which can affect insurance coverage and cost.

How effective is finasteride for hair loss in women?

As mentioned, the results of studies on finasteride treatment for female pattern hair loss are mixed. Some studies showed no improvement after taking finasteride 1 mg (the typical Propecia dosage for males). Other studies showed improvement with higher finasteride doses, but most of these studies included less than 100 people, so their results aren’t as reliable.

That being said, case reports and real-life results seem to indicate that finasteride may be more effective for females than what’s been shown in clinical studies.

Finasteride seems to have better results in females with high levels of androgens, such as testosterone. This is common with hair loss caused by conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).

Promotion disclosure

Finasteride

Avg retail price

$68.24(Save 85.48%)

GoodRx discount

$9.91

See all discounts

How it works

Use GoodRx to find medications, pharmacies, and discounts.

GoodRx discounts can help you pay less for your prescription.

Bring your free coupon or savings card to the pharmacy.

But finasteride may not work as well if high androgen levels aren’t present. In this case, finasteride is often only prescribed if other treatments aren’t effective.

What dosage of finasteride works for hair loss in women?

Since finasteride isn’t FDA-approved for women, there isn’t a set dosage that’s been proved to be safe and effective. Finasteride doses ranging from 1.25 mg to 5 mg daily were used in successful clinical studies.

Higher finasteride dosages may be more effective, but they’re also more likely to cause side effects (more on that next). So your prescriber may decide you’ll start with a low dose and increase it as needed based on how you respond.

What are the finasteride side effects in women?

Common finasteride side effects reported by females in clinical studies include:

• Headache

• Growth of excess body hair

• Low libido

• Dizziness

• Irregular menstrual periods

• Breast tenderness

• Dry skin

• Mild acne

Most side effects were considered mild and faded over time. Side effects also seemed more likely in those taking finasteride prior to menopause. Let your prescriber know if you’re experiencing bothersome side effects while taking finasteride for hair loss. They may reduce your dose or change your medication to help manage these effects.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• What causes hair loss in women? Learn about common causes of hair loss in women, as well as their treatments.

• Postpartum hair loss: It’s normal to lose hair after pregnancy. Here’s why.

• Supplements and procedures for hair loss: Learn which supplements and procedures may help with hair loss in women.

Are there alternatives to finasteride for female pattern hair loss?

Yes. There are several other treatment options that may help with female pattern hair loss. These include prescription medications, supplements, and procedures, such as:

• Oral or topical minoxidil

• Flutamide (Eulexin)

• Spironolactone (Aldactone)

• Platelet-rich plasma injections

• Low-level laser therapy

• Microneedling

• Vitamin D

• Pumpkin seed oil

• Nutrafol

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts