Rogaine For Women Side Effects: Do Rogaine Solutions Have A Dirty Secret?

How harmful are the side effects of Rogaine? With any kind of medication, there is always a set of side effects, while some of them are okay to put up with, some need to be analyzed and taken more seriously. So which category does Rogaine fall into, the category where the side effects are tolerable or should you stay as far away from it as you can, this article will analyze in depth the various Rogaine for women side effects, things you can do about it, and things you cannot do.

Understanding medication, in general, is like navigating through a labyrinth, especially for people who don’t know much about medicine. Most of the time this lack of understanding is misused by the brands to propagate products based on false claims. When a new product or medication is launched, we hear only about the benefits, nobody talks about the side effects, especially not the serious ones. Side effects should always be an important consideration no matter what medication you take, even if your doctor doesn’t tell you, it’s important to know the facts. Keep reading to know more about the Rogaine for women side effects that need to be given more thought before starting on the medication.

Rogaine For Women Side Effects: What Is Rogaine?

Rogaine also known as minoxidil is not a new medication as the ingredient has been around since 1986.  This medication is approved by the FDA to treat baldness in both men and women.  Rogaine has properties like anti-inflammatory, anti-androgenic as well as vasodilating properties which play a key role in aiding hair growth. The medicine is recommended to be used only under the guidance of a doctor. 

How Does Rogaine Work?

The vasodilator properties of  Rogaine work by helping in enlarging hair follicles and extending lengthening the hair growth period. When the phase of the hair growth period is extended naturally there will be more visible hair coverage on the scalp. Rogaine needs to be used consistently to maintain the results even after hair growth as the results are not permanent. Though Rogaine is effective it might not work on all kinds of baldness, but the medication is most effective on hereditary hair loss that occurs in men and women. The medication works best when used during the initial stages as not only will it help the hair grow back but also aid in maintaining the existing hair

Rogaine For Women

Pereferblely a 2% or 5% solution of Rogaine is shown to be effective in treating hair loss in women. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding must avoid the medication at all costs. Men and women both alike need to consult with a doctor before using Rogaine medication. The treatment might not be effective in cases that involve sudden cases of hair loss without any underlying issues, post-pregnancy hair loss, hair loss from chemical-based hair treatments, hair loss from health issues like thyroid, nutritional deficiency, chemotherapy, injuries, etc.

Rogaine For Women Side Effects

Though Rogaine is considered to be safe, there are certain side effects that women should be aware of before starting the treatment. Rogaine is best recommended for female pattern hair loss(1) (FPHL) treatment, which initially starts with the hair losing its thickness. Women see their hair parting getting wider and wider as time passes. This type of hair loss is genetic but is widely seen in women past menopause. Though the treatment of hair fall from FPHL is effective with Rogaine, it is it’s important to also understand the potential side effects most of which your doctor might not tell you.

Headache

Women have also reported headaches from using Rogaine, the exact cause is unknown.

Nausea And Vomiting

Rogaine can cause low blood pressure which could lead to dizziness especially if you are on medications for blood pressure. Experts recommend one stay at the hospital for analysis during the initial use of Rogaine to monitor the patient’s condition.

Rogaine For Women Side Effects: Skin Allergy

Rogaine has been shown to cause allergy in certain circumstances, some of the most commonly reported allergies include, itchiness, hives, rashes, redness, and swelling. The person might be allergic to Rogaine or an ingredient in Rogaine known as propylene glycol.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is the most common side effect of using Rogaine and the symptoms start within just minutes of application of the product on the scalp. Some of the common symptoms include redness, flakiness of the skin, itchiness, and a burning sensation. It’s always advised to do a patch test if you are someone using the medication on your scalp for the first time. Apply the product on a small area of the scalp and wait for 24 hours before using it on the entire scalp.

Rogaine For Women Side Effects: Impaired Fetal Development

Rogaine has been banned to be used during pregnancy as it has shown dangerous side effects during its testing phase. Using the medication post-pregnancy while breastfeeding is also considered dangerous as the medication tends to enter the bloodstream.

Hair Shedding

During the initial stage of starting on the medication, people have reported noticing an increase in hair fall, which is temporary.

Rogaine For Women Side Effects: Blood Pressure Variation

In certain cases, people could experience low blood pressure, especially among those using a stronger version of rogaine(2). 

Cause Unwanted Hair Growth

The medication has been claimed to lead to unwanted hair growth, especially in women. Any area on the body that has come in contact with the Rogaine solution has been claimed to show around 20% to 50% hair growth. In certain rare cases, increased hair growth has also been reported on unexposed areas, the exact reason for this is still unknown.

Palpitations 

If you are someone with heart problems then it’s very important to talk to your doctor before using Rogaine as it can cause rapid heart rate.

Visit your doctor immediately if you feel any kind of issues from Rogaine like itching, burns, and redness immediately after using the treatment

Alternative Treatments For Hairfall In Women

Apart from Rogaine other effective treatments for female pattern hair loss (FPHL) include:

• Finasteride is an oral medication. This medication can be only used by women who are menopausal and not by younger women. Just like Rogaine, finasteride too is considered to be fetal unsafe.
• If hair fall in women is caused by other health conditions like thyroid, lack of biotin, etc, getting the right treatment for your condition will usually help in growing back your hair
• Making changes in one’s diet like including the right nutrients such as proteins, fiber, iron, and vitamins A, B, and C can also improve hair growth.
• You can also try no medicinal alternatives like hair transplants, wigs, etc.

Rogaine is available over the counter. Even so, if you’re dealing with hair loss, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor before starting treatment. Your doctor can help you rule out other causes of hair loss that may be treatable with other medications.

How Much Does Rogaine Cost?

The price of the Rogaine medication will vary with its the concentration you are recommended to use. It could cost anywhere from $40 to $60, depending on the brand and type of product you pick.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Rogaine For Women Side Effects: Our Final Thoughts

Rogaine for women side effects need to be considered seriously before starting the treatment. Though the medication is FDA-approved to treat baldness in both men and women, it might not be effective for all types of hair loss. Always seek your doctor before using Rogaine for hair loss and make sure you immediately connect with your doctor if you notice any side effects. Also, visit your doctor if you observe no results even with prolonged usage. In this article on Rogaine for women’s side effects, we have observed that the medication could be dangerous, especially in pregnant women and also in post-pregnant women i.e. feeding moms. The medication can cause serious side effects on the fetus which is why one must be cautious.

If one experiences hair loss the first step should be to visit a doctor, we don’t recommend using Rogaine as an over-the-counter treatment without a doctor’s recommendation. Avoid getting the product in your eyes at all costs, if you do rinse off immediately and seek doctors’ help. Common and serious side effects like weight gain, dizziness, swelling in the hands and feet, nausea, and chest pain should not be ignored while taking the medication. Hope this article on Rogaine for women side effects helped you understand the medication better. 

Even though most commercials do not mention the adverse side effects of medications it’s always better to be aware and take the necessary precautions.