| What is Spironolactone? |
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Spironolactone does many things to our bodies. First, it is a "potassium sparing" diuretic
(water pill) commonly used to remove surplus fluid from the body's bloodstream or tissues.
It also acts as an aldosterone inhibitor (prevents salt retention) and can be used to treat
high blood pressure, hypertension and in some cases advanced heart failure. As for its
indications in hair, Spironolactone is known to be a well tolerated and effective antiandrogen.
It is sometimes used to treat female pattern baldness and excessive facial hair (hirsutism) in
women and men use it as an antiandrogen.
Hirsutism is most often caused by increased production of male sex hormones also known as androgens.
It is also affected by increased sensitivity to androgens in the hair follicles, and the secretory
glands around the hair follicles, called sebaceous glands.
Recently there are studies (Berardesca E, Gabba P, Ucci G, Borroni G, Rabbiosi G.) which suggest that topical spironolactone can act as an antiandrogen in human sebaceous glands, competing with DHT receptors and producing a decrease of labeled DHT. This means that topical spironolactone may slow down or stop hairloss by working as a DHT receptors blocker. Some have been experimenting with low dose Spironolactone with success. |