Hairloss Admin...I have a question for you....

[Rozzy252]

I was wondering if you knew anything about the drug cyperatone acetate. This is a drug that my derm (I'm in Canada) would like to put me on after I'm done having a baby and after breastfeeding. I'm very much willing... although one of the things he mentioned to me is that this drug is used to deal with men with their prostate problems. But this drug is apparently effective in anti-androgenic therapy for women...moreso than spironolactone according to my derm. I was wondering if you had any feedback on this drug.... thanks...

 

[Rozzy252]

correction... I apologize.... the actual spelling is CYPROTERONE ACETATE. I should have double checked before my initial post... I apologize

 

[mayalopecia]

Funny you should ask about that today Rozzy, I was just researching it. I've come across several small studies that demonstrate the efficacy of CPA in treating female Androgenetic Alopecia. The side effects are similar to spironolactone, with regards to menstrual cycle irregularities and impaired libido.

Here's some links that further describe CPA treatment:

http://www.keratin.com/ac/baldnesst...cetate/002cyproteroneacetatebaldnessuse.shtml

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...ve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12923971&dopt=Abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...ve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12266391&dopt=Abstract

There are plenty more studies pertaining to CPA on http://www.pubmed.org if you care to investigate further. The upshot of what I read is that CPA is fairly effective in stopping hair loss in women with hyperandrogenism. One study I read noted that it is more effective than simple minoxidil therapy in women with high androgens, but did not help women with idiopathic Androgenetic Alopecia any more than 2% minoxidil.

If I recall correctly, you've got slightly elevated androgens, so I would think CPA could only help!

Cheers,
-maya
(jealous of all you non-US people who can get cyproterone acetate!)

 

[Humpty Dumpty]

Speaking from my own experience, Dianette (which to the best of my knowledge, contains the ingredient cyproterone acetate) made my own balding exponentially worse. It was moderately bad prior to taking CP, after which I began to bald on the crown, and the balding on the entire scalp (particularly the frontal region) is now so bad that there is simply no area of scalp which isn't visible. Needless to say, I'm not taking Dianette any more.

I must emphasise however, that I do NOT have elevated androgen levels, so perhaps this is a factor in why I reacted so badly to CP. Like Mayalopecia, I have heard good things about the use of CP in women with disorded androgen levels.

 

[Rozzy252]

Hi Maya and Humpty.
Well Maya... I apologize for the late response. I find here in Canada the spironolactone is more commonly prescribed. My dermatologist firmly believes in cypro though as the route to go with my hairloss. Interestingly enough, my serum androgens are not elevated although a] my hair is falling out and b] I've sprouted some hairs underneath my chin the past few years.... so its hard to say.... thank you for the weblinks by the way... they have been useful. I can't help but think about how weird the drug laws are here in Canada and there in the States. I can't get 5% Minoxidil here in Canada but hey, I can get the cypro.... and vise versa for you guys.... this is not convienent....