Spironolactone for Alopecia User Reviews (Page 2)

• She...
• August 27, 2010

"Have been taking generic spironolactone 100mg 2x a day (morning and night) for acne and hormonal hair loss (female pattern, testosterone related). It has greatly reduced hair loss and skin has been clearer as well. Libido has been affected somewhat, not sure how much though. No significant side effects yet. Much better than birth control pills that I stuck with for years, as I knew hair loss would intensify when I stopped them and boy did they ever."

• Tee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 2, 2020

Spironolactone "Worst decision taking Aldactone for alopecia. Took for 10 months and it left my hair worse, it is brittle, dehydrated. I have severe mood swings. Thought it worked initially, but then stopped. I would really make sure you are willing to take risks with this before starting. Dread shed occurs in the beginning and when you stop. Exhaust other measures like vitamin C, iron, L-lysine, B12, selenium. Get your ferritin checked."

• Che...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 16, 2019

Spironolactone "I started taking spiractin 50 mg 10 months ago for alopecia and saw instant results. In 2 weeks, my hair stopped shedding, and I grew back all the hair I had lost in the past 2 years. However, it just stopped working 4 months ago, and now I’m shedding over 200 hairs a day. My dermatologist doubled the dose to 100 mg 2 months ago, but unfortunately it’s made zero impact :("

• Ms ...
• February 7, 2018

"I was put on this for HS. I was also diagnosed with alopecia 10 years ago and have always had issues with thinning hair. Hair is curly and has volume, so I never really did anything about it, it was easy to hide. I stopped the spironolactone because it didn't help my HS, having no idea about its other benefits. Stressful times arose, hair suffered, started to see that bald shine, and it was/is VERY noticeable. I researched, learned about spironolactone, called my derm, and he put me back on, 75 mg a day. I kid you not, people, my hair is showing regrowth already, a few cm. Of course, having alopecia, a lot are the thin white hairs that hopefully turn into thicker, darker shafts, but most are my natural color, brown. It's only been 2 months. I also use cold-pressed castor oil and onion juice on the weekends. Started Nov. 22nd, and today is Feb. 6, 2018. No side effects."

• wil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 8, 2019

"I have always had thick hair. I noticed at around age 47, I was shedding more. And even more alarming, my hairstylist commented on the shedding when she washed my hair. Mostly through the temples, but also a widening part. I've been on spironolactone for a little over a year at 100 mg. I feel like I have lots of baby hairs through the temple, and my part looks more normal (sometimes I wonder if I see what I want to see...) BUT because my hair was so thick before, I was less worried about regrowing and more concerned about stopping or slowing down the shedding. I do think I am back to shedding normal amounts of hair. I take one 100 mg pill at night and sleep through any side effects I'd have, but usually have to get up once to use the loo. I've read other comments about decreased libido. I do think I have a little of this, but feeling attractive has its own upside. I do regularly have my potassium levels checked."

• led...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2018

"My dermatologist suggested I start this medication as I was seeing a lot of hair shedding. I'm taking 50 mg a day. I've been taking it for 2 weeks, and I cannot believe how much it's stopped the shedding. Where I lost a sizable amount (80+) of hair a day, I'm only shedding ~30 hairs. The only side effect I've been having is slight heartburn. Looking forward to continuing to use this medicine!"

• pco...
• August 10, 2015

"I have been taking 25 mg for 3 months due to the effects of PCOS. I have been suffering an initial shed that seems to be slowing down, but at this point, my hair looks quite a bit worse than before. Hopefully, this will just take my body some time to get used to, and it will help eventually. I have continued taking it because it has cleared up my cystic acne 100%. For acne, I would give this a 10/10, but for hair, I'm not sure..."

• Yel...
• October 17, 2019

"Been on spironolactone 100 mg and a year ago increased to 200 mg. Since then I notice little skin lesions, they're not itchy, just red. I've seen a few doctors and my dermatologist, who say it's eczema and gave me a steroid cream. Start of this year I reduced my dose of spironolactone from 200 mg to 100 mg, then 50 mg, and my hair thinned, unfortunately, but I noticed my lesions fading. I increased my dose back to 200 mg, and lesions are back, I feel the spironolactone is the cause. If I reduce spironolactone, my hair thins, if I don't, I'm getting a rash. Recently I've started the autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet, as I've heard it can help with autoimmune diseases, so no dairy, wheat, sugar, and nightshades, then I'll go onto the Paleo diet. If anyone else has had the issue with spironolactone and rashes, please comment. If you have gone onto a diet that has improved symptoms, did you stop spironolactone as soon as you started the diet or continue to take it until improvements were seen from the diet, then stop?"

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2019

"I have been using a low dose of 25 mg for 3 months now. Originally, I noticed less shedding, but currently, my hair is thinner than before. Having moderate shedding now with diffuse hair loss. Has not improved the condition of my hair at all."

• Pos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2022

"I wanted to read the reviews before posting to see if other people's reactions were the same as mine, and they are. I had post-COVID hair shedding. Spironolactone seriously slowed the shedding (though I am still shedding a little more than naturally after about three months). I was warned that I would have to stay on it for life, and I really don’t care. I too get a little dizzy upon standing up, but I also have low blood pressure, so I’m not sure what is responsible for that. All in all, I would highly recommend taking it, just know that you’ll take it for life. There is simply no alternative."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2022

"I have been taking 100 mg of spironolactone and 5 mg of oral minoxidil daily for approximately 4 months to treat significant hair loss/thinning, which was causing me a great deal of anxiety. After approximately 2 months, my hair loss significantly reduced from large clumps in the shower drain to approximately 20 or so strands of hair. Now I am noticing regrowth in my crown, covering patches that had become quite bare from the initial hair loss. I understand that I will most likely be on this medication for life, and at 45 years old, I have already had my children, so I was not concerned about possible pregnancy implications. I have found that I have started to get a small amount of facial hair. But this is easily removed, and when weighed against the stress I had from losing my hair, I am not concerned about this very much at all. I haven't noticed any fluctuations in my weight."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 1, 2022

"Have been on Spironolactone (now 200 mg/day) for 1 1/2 months; at first no shedding, but now for two weeks terrible shedding :(. Burning in many parts of the scalp. Also on HRT since four months. Anybody else had terrible shedding and scalp burning sensations? No PCOS. Normal hormone levels."

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2021

"Hair started thinning dramatically about three years ago. Tried PRP, DHT-blocking shampoos, and even had to use a hair fiber to leave my house because my part was so wide. While some of those things helped, I still needed to use the hair fibers to fill in my part to feel comfortable going out. I decided to try spiro about three months ago after my dermatologist suggested it. My hair is almost completely restored. My part looks normal, my bangs aren’t perfect but look considerably better, and I don’t have to wear the hair fibers anymore. I think after a few more months it will be completely back to the way it was a few years ago. It’s pretty amazing how well it worked. It did take a month to get used to it. I felt a bit anxious after starting it, but I feel fine now. I’m on 50 mg. Would definitely recommend for hair loss. For acne, I still break out, so not sure it’s helped with that just yet."

• In...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 20, 2017

"The hairdresser kept noticing each time I went for a trim that my hair was getting thinner. That's when I decided to go see my GP for a referral to a dermatologist who put me on minoxidil, which did absolutely nothing except cause me inconvenience. So I went back to my GP and told them I wanted a referral to an endocrinologist who prescribed spironolactone 200 mg daily. I have been taking 2 tablets daily since April 2016. I didn't see an immediate difference at first, but then one day I noticed new hair growth on my forehead. It was growing back grey! Then, out of the blue, for some unknown reason, my hair started falling out again, especially while shampooing in the shower. It is a constant battle picking up loose hair off the bathroom floor."

• No...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 27, 2021

"I have been on spironolactone for 7 months now after a few years of significant hair loss. During the second month of taking it, I developed uncontrollable itch all over that was constant and unbearable. This is a rare side effect. I had to use every lotion available at all times, and I was able to get through several weeks of misery until my body adjusted. Before I started Spiro, I had suddenly developed extremely greasy hair that was very dry on the ends. The medication has helped stop that, and there has been a noticeable reduction in the hair loss."

• Joj...
• December 12, 2017

"I have excessive hair loss, and it’s been like that for months, maybe a year now. Anyway, I first wanted to try natural stuff, but it never stopped the hair loss. After months of hair loss, I decided to ask my doctor what medicine would reduce the hair loss caused by high testosterone, and she gave me spironolactone 50 mg. I have been Googling about it before she gave it to me for months, and based on people's experience and the comments here, I was excited, like finally something would stop it. I only took it for 5 days, and OMG the hair shedding I had every day was crazy, clumps and clumps. I stopped it, and the crazy shedding was still there for two weeks. Plus, I hardly get acne, and I got like 5 spots on each cheek. Obviously, people are different, but it didn’t work for me."

• chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2023

"My PCP prescribed this for me. I had researched it online and had read that most people took from 50 mg to 200 mg. When I suggested this, my PCP looked aghast, and now I'm glad that he did. He put me on 1/4 of a 25 mg tab a day. I took that for about 6 months. I had to pee a lot, my private areas that are normally really sensitive went numb, and my boobs got bigger. I did not notice any weight gain. I did recently try to go up, and for only a few days, I tried 25 and 50. I was hungry all the time, and I knew this pill was going to cause weight gain, so I got off it. When I read the reviews of people who gained weight but could never lose it, I believed them. That was why I got off it. I didn't know this before starting it, or I wouldn't have started it. I have been off for a few days, and my private areas still feel numb, I'm not peeing anymore like crazy. I have 20 lbs. to lose, but they are the same 20 lbs. I had to lose prior to starting. I would not recommend it as changes may be permanent. Scary!"

• Cry...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2021

"I only started taking spironolactone a week ago. After going to this doctor and that doctor, I was starting to feel a bit crazy, like what I was feeling and my symptoms were all in my head. It took a dermatologist to put everything together and diagnose me with PCOS. From the start, this medication has been a game changer!! I think I feel normal, I think this is actually what normal is like!! I feel so much relief in so many ways!! I’m not angry anymore, I’m not anxious, normal period, lower blood pressure, no more chronic dehydration, no more feeling like I have a fiery pit in the depths of my stomach that requires carbs and sugar 24/7, and I can only hope that my thinning hair will dissipate. I’m just amazed at the positive changes!! I’m so thankful to have an amazing dermatologist, and to finally have found one pill that solves so many issues!!!"

• Zub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2021

"I have been on spironolactone for 3 months, and I still continue taking it. My hair loss has become much less, but there is still fall on some days. I don't see a result by filling in the blanks. Is there hope after 6 months? When does spironolactone start working for hair loss? Please give me hope. Is there anyone who used it for 6 months and got results?"

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2021

"I've been on spiro for about 6 months. The reason I got on was because of my genetic alopecia, and so far, I’ve had a lot of new hairs grow, but not many where I need them to grow (a specific spot). However, my acne (I’m 15) has almost completely gone away. I used to have bad back acne and a little on my cheeks, but now I get a pimple every once in a while. The only thing that scares me would be that I don’t know if my teen acne will come back if I get off of spiro in a couple of years. Nonetheless, I definitely recommend spironolactone, but you need to have patience."

• Kit...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 11, 2021

"DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE! I swear to God, taking this medicine was a huge mistake. I've been on 50 mg Spiro for 2 years for alopecia, and yes, it did help for that, but I also gained a whopping 30 lbs! My whole body shape/fat distribution changed, I have stubborn fat on my thighs, arms, and belly, and I am not able to get rid of it. My arm fat jiggles when I move my arms, I am so mortified. I read a ton of other experiences from women with the same issue, none of them were able to get their old body back even years after going off Spiro. I've been exercising religiously and eating clean, but I can't seem to drop a single pound. Apart from that, I also started having severe anxiety and panic attacks, as well as heart palpitations and fatigue. It did not clear up my skin, and honestly, I would rather keep searching for an alternative alopecia treatment than being this heavy."

• Hai...
• September 4, 2021

"My doctor put me on 25 mg for 2 weeks and 50 mg from the third week on. Did not have any side effect until the end of week 4. All side effects broke loose on week 5, next 2 days started experiencing on and off hives here and there. It wasn’t a big deal. Day 3 hives broke out in large number, very itchy. End of day 3 started spotting and my derm stopped my medication right there. From the 4 weeks' usage of spironolactone, I saw no positive result, not even a 1% improvement. Anyways, each body is different. For all the people for whom the medication helped arrest your hair fall, you are really lucky!"

• Nsj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2021

"I started spiro (100 mg) and Tactu pump about a month and a half ago. I PROMISED myself if it worked or I saw any improvement, that I’d write a review. I've had those annoying skin-colored bumps all over my face since I was 10 (now 19). High school was particularly the worst, and when I say no face product helped, no diet helped. I had even been refined sugar-free and dairy-free for years. I FINALLY gave up and made an online appointment with a derm. He suggested spiro and Tactu pump, so I started. I was terrified of purging with either one and was praying I wouldn’t. I maybe got slightly more little tiny bumps, but absolutely nothing I wasn’t used to. The only side effect I really saw with spiro was a slight increase in peeing more. I’m now almost on my 7th week of spiro, and at the current moment, my skin feels flat, no clogged pores or little bumps. It honestly feels surreal because I haven’t had clear skin like this in 9 years. I’m PRAYING it only gets better.:)"

• Ang...
• November 3, 2017

"So I have been taking this medication for a little over a month for various reasons. I have very thin hair and recently got worse...and also my acne. I tend to break out here and there with small pimples in my chin, but because I was stressing, I got cystic acne. It got so bad I wanted to see a doctor as soon as possible. Within a week of taking the medication, I noticed my skin clearing up...my cystic acne got smaller. However, I am noticing that I have lost significant weight...almost 8 pounds already. I am already thin, so I didn't want to lose any more. I also had chills one day and even puked when I was on this medication... This only occurred once, so I figure it was fine. So far it's been okay, for hair, I haven't noticed much difference yet."

• Jes...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 25, 2022

"I don't know if spironolactone has caused my thinning hair to grow back, but it definitely stopped the shedding. I don't get my period since I started this med, 200 mg. I'm scared that my hair will start falling out again if I stop taking it."