You should not use this drug if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart failure, low blood pressure, or if you are unable to urinate. Stay away from this medication if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor before using this drug.
If you have any of the conditions mentioned above and need to control your excess body hair for cosmetic reasons, then look no further than spironolactone and its potential as an alternative treatment option. Keep reading to learn more about this medication and how it may help in combating unwanted hair growth.
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What is Spironolactone?
Spironolactone is a synthetic drug that is generally used to treat heart failure, high blood pressure, and a certain type of hormonal condition called hyperaldosteronism. Due to its antiandrogenic properties, it is also used for the treatment of excess body hair in women, known as hirsutism. It is the active ingredient in drugs such as Aldactone, Spiractin, and Carfine.
This drug works by blocking the receptors in the body that are responsible for the production of testosterone in women. The level of testosterone in women is important as it can cause increased body hair growth and hair loss in some women. When spironolactone is taken, it blocks the receptors in the body that produce testosterone and as a result, this lowers the amount of hair growth and hair loss in affected women.
How does Spironolactone Help with Hair Growth?
As discussed above, spironolactone is an antiandrogen that has a number of benefits related to its ability to block the production of testosterone in the body. One of these benefits is that it can be used to treat hirsutism in women.
Hirsutism is a condition that causes abnormal hair growth, such as facial hair growth in women. Androgenic hormones are responsible for the excess production of hair in women.
Spironolactone helps treat hirsutism by blocking androgen receptors in the body. This in turn helps in reducing the amount of the androgen hormone that is present in the body and therefore helps reduce hair growth.
Side Effects of Taking Spironolactone
There are certain side effects that you may experience due to taking spironolactone, including feeling sick/nauseous, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite.
You may also experience headache, dizziness, constipation, and dry mouth.
You may also experience a drop in your libido, mood swings, and difficulty sleeping. If you are pregnant, you should avoid taking spironolactone. If you are breastfeeding, you should avoid taking spironolactone.
How to Use Spironolactone for Hair Growth
There are a few ways to use spironolactone for hair growth. You can take it orally, as a cream/gel, or in the form of a topical solution. Ensure that you talk to your doctor before taking this medication. They will let you know the correct dosage and how often you should take it.
If you are planning to take this medication orally, take it with a meal to avoid stomach cramps and nausea. Ensure that you take it at the same time every day to avoid the risk of developing a dependency to the medication. You can find spironolactone in most drug stores, including Target, Walmart, and Amazon.
Conclusion
If you have been experiencing unwanted hair growth as a result of an increase in your testosterone levels, then spironolactone is an excellent choice for fighting it off. It is known to be effective in controlling excessive body hair growth and is generally a safe medication.
You can use this medication either orally or topically, depending on your preference and whether you are breastfeeding/pregnant.
If you are experiencing unwanted hair growth, you can use spironolactone as an effective treatment option. Stay away from spironolactone if you have an allergy to spironolactone, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have kidney disease or liver disease.
