Hi Doctor,

Is there a relationship between Aminexil and ovarian cysts? I had an ovarian cystectomy last year and I started using aminexil recently which greatly improved my hair loss situation. However, lately, I’ve been feeling that the cyst may have returned.

I didn’t get it checked yet but I need to know whether to stop Aminexil or not.

I can’t blindly recommend taking or stopping a medication to someone other than my own patients. While many women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) use this drug, it is the condition that tends to produce ovarian cysts, not the aminexil. You’re already under the care of a doctor, so I’d ask him/her what you should do next.

What is the best form of DHT blocking for post menopausal women. Is it safe to use propecia in my case?

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) does not usually cause hair loss in women. As mentioned before (Female Genetic Hair Loss Is Different From Male Genetic Hair Loss), the common causes of women’s hair loss are different than typical causes of men’s hair loss.

Although the DHT blocker Propecia (finasteride 1mg) is not approved by the FDA for use in women, there are doctors that will sometimes prescribe it for women, but these are highly individualized cases that require patient education and informed consent. First, the woman should make sure that they are not carrying the breast cancer genes. If they are not, then there is little downside that I know of. Many, many doctors are prescribing Propecia for post menopausal women because the protective effect of estrogen is reduced. The reports, however, are anecdotal and not trustworthy.

I recently bought Rogaine Foam for men, because I wanted foam. When I got it home and thouroughly read it, it said not for women. I can’t find foam for women. My question is, is there any health side effects from the active ingred.and can women use the foam for men. My beautician told me she heard about good results with the foam.

Thank you.

If you are a woman losing hair, you can use Rogaine Foam (even though it says “for men”). In fact, I generally inform my female patients that they can use the “for men” brand. The only difference I have found is the “blue” vs “pink” color in the packaging and the concentration of the minoxidil. The “for men” stuff is usually 5% and the “for women” is 2%, though women can use the 5%.

The higher the concentration, the more of a potential for unwanted facial hair growth in some women. That being said, if you are a women that wants to use Rogaine Foam, that doesn’t mean the foam will guarantee you wake up with a moustache and beard. Just something you should watch for.