Oral minoxidil ‘awesome’ hair growth option for gender-affirming treatment

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Oral minoxidil and other medications are on the rise as effective and helpful treatments for gender-affirming patients, according to a presenter at South Beach Symposium.

“Hair growth and removal is core to gender-related patient care,” Ronda S. Farah, MD, FAAD, associate professor in the department of dermatology at the University of Minnesota and cosmetic lead at M Health Fairview, said during her presentation.

According to Farah, 88% of 444 transgender men/transmasculine patients report that body hair was an important factor in contributing to positive self-image. Treatment options for hair growth and removal include hormones and nonhormonal options, anti-androgens and specific mediations.

Finasteride, a hair growth treatment for transgender men, is approved by the FDA and used in many clinical settings. Bicalutamide, a nonsteroidal antiandrogen, may be the next medication coming to the United States for gender-affirming treatment.

However, Farah said that the trending medication for hair treatment in gender-affirming care is oral minoxidil. Although not currently approved by the FDA for hair growth, Farah states it is “awesome” and “we have tons of patients on it.”

During her presentation, Farah discussed a case study of an individual who was assigned male at birth and is now legally female. This patient underwent facial hair removal treatment and was also being treated for hair growth on the scalp with 2.5 mg of minoxidil administered orally, once daily. The patient additionally received minoxidil 5% foam twice daily, lower-level laser therapy, dutasteride and transplantation. According to the presentation, the patient achieved positive results in regard to hair growth on the scalp in response to minoxidil.

“There is room for perceived aesthetic and medical care in this area,” Farah concluded. “Inclusivity is important and should be considered with topical lines.”