subject: Minoxidil Use - Understanding the Pros and Cons [print this page] Minoxidil Use - Understanding the Pros and Cons
Minoxidil use has become increasingly common over the last fifteen years and has achieved mixed reviews. Obviously, there are many satisfied consumers who have sprouted hair where it was meant to be and they, for the most part, reported few side effects and fairly rapid and sustainable results.Since not every drug works for every patient, there are certainly the detractors out there who tend to complain that the product did nothing for them and even complained about some horrendous side effects they experience while hoping to see the hoped for results - new hair growth.As with any type of medication from over the counter drugs to prescription medications, you can experience failure, success and everything in between including severe side effects while seeing results - a difficult conundrum to deal with, indeed.When it comes to minoxidil, however, many people are willing to withstand the occasional bouts of nausea, slight headaches, or even superfluous hair growth in areas that weren't intended to have hair! Some women reported an increase in "mustaches" but refused to stop using the drug because along with their new mustaches, they were also experiencing hair growth where they wanted it - on their heads.Because this "hypertrichosis" occurs more frequently in women, doctors are urged to disclose this side effect in great detail to all female patients interested in undergoing this therapy. Hair growth can and does appear in a multitude of places in addition to the lip area - the entire face, chest, back, and even feet. Increased hair growth can occur on the arms and legs as well.Many women, however, quickly realize that this superfluous hair can be easily removed by shaving, waxing or a stronger depilatory used on a regular basis. And once the drug is stopped, this extra hair is reduced to slight fuzz or it falls out completely on its own when minoxidil use has stopped.Men most often experienced what appeared to be slight allergies that included rashes - sometimes all over, other times in certain areas such as the scalp or even the hands - or occasional itching which would occur fairly quickly after taking a dose, and would subside just as quickly.More serious, but rare, side effects include bloating and weight gain. Although the weight gain averaged about ten pounds for the duration of the therapy, this didn't seem to dissuade many people from continuing on the prescribed regime. Once the drug is stopped the weight naturally comes back off again.
