The Use of 5mg Finasteride Versus 200mg Spironolactone and Topical 5% Minoxidil in Treating Postmenopausal Female Androgenetic Alopecia

The Use of 5mg Finasteride Versus 200mg Spironolactone and Topical 5% Minoxidil in Treating Postmenopausal Female Androgenetic Alopecia

The investigators propose to conduct a head-to-head, randomized clinical trial to compare the effectiveness of Minoxidil with Spironolactone and Finasteride in treating postmenopausal females with Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA).

Participants diagnosed with AGA will be randomized into one of the two treatment arms outlined below, and will take the assigned treatment for a total duration of 12 months. Medications will be dispensed by a nurse who is blinded to the participants within each treatment group. Global photograph assessment and participant questionnaires at 0, 4, 8 and 12 months will be the primary means to determine improvement in hair loss.

Compare the following interventions in treating postmenopausal female AGA:

A) Combination 5% Minoxidil and 200mg Spironolactone (Combination Group) B) 5mg Finasteride with placebo topical preparation (Single Group)

Inclusion Criteria:

• female
• postmenopausal (>60 years old or with total hysterectomy)
• diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia
• no chemical processing or changes in hair products throughout the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• men
• premenopausal women (<60 or without hysterectomy)
• participants allergic to any of the study medications (minoxidil, finasteride, spironolactone)
• participants with other co-existing forms of alopecia (traction, alopecia areata, or scarring alopecias)
• participants with obstructive uropathy or advanced liver disease
• prior hair loss treatment within the last 6 months
• hair loss from the chemotherapy or other medication-induced alopecia
• Hair loss for greater than 5 years, as medical therapy is unlikely to have much effect at restoring hair follicles inactive for that long of a period.