Finasteride Alternative for Women

It works well for guys, but what is an effective Finasteride alternative for women? This popular hair loss treatment stops testosterone from converting to DHT, the main culprit behind hair loss for many. But since your body doesn’t produce testosterone and DHT, you need something else.

We’ve put together this list of Finasteride alternatives to help you stop hair loss and encourage new growth quickly. From minoxidil to low-level laser therapy, platelet-rich therapy, hair transplants, hair growth supplements, and natural hair growth serums, you’ve got many options.

Rennora Beauty’s lineup is made specifically for women with types 3 and 4 hair who are struggling with excessive shedding around their edges or at the crown. Some ladies have seen progress in just a few weeks, and your order is backed by our 120-day satisfaction guarantee!

But let’s take a step back - what is Finasteride, exactly?

Finasteride Alternatives For Women (Comparison Chart)

Alternative	What It Is	Best For	Typical Timeline	Key Consideration
Natural Hair Growth Serums	Topical oils/botanicals applied to the scalp to support follicles and reduce breakage	Edges, hairline, crown thinning; tension/heat/chemical stress	Weeks for less shedding; months for visible fill-in	Needs consistent nightly use; can cause buildup if over-applied
Minoxidil (Topical)	OTC scalp treatment that stimulates follicles and extends the growth phase	Diffuse thinning on the top/crown; androgen-related thinning	3–6 months	Initial shedding is common; must keep using to maintain results
Minoxidil (Oral, Prescription)	Low-dose pill that supports regrowth systemically	People who can’t tolerate topical or want a simpler routine	3–6+ months	May cause swelling, dizziness, unwanted hair growth; requires clinician oversight
Dutasteride (Prescription, Off-Label)	DHT-lowering medication sometimes used in severe cases	Hormone-driven thinning under specialist care	3–6+ months	Not approved for women; pregnancy risk; medical monitoring required
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)	Laser cap/comb/helmet used multiple times per week	Mild-to-moderate thinning; people who want a drug-free device option	4–6 months	Upfront cost is high; results vary by device and consistency
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)	In-office injections using your own concentrated platelets	Thinning hair when you want a clinician-led option	2–6 months (often multiple sessions)	Expensive, uncomfortable; results vary widely
Hair Transplant	Surgery that moves follicles from donor areas to thinning areas	Localized loss with a strong donor area	6–12+ months	Invasive and costly; not ideal for diffuse thinning
Ketoconazole Shampoo	Anti-fungal/anti-inflammatory shampoo used 2–3x weekly	Flaking, itch, scalp inflammation that may worsen shedding	Weeks for scalp improvement	Not a regrowth treatment on its own; can be drying
Hair Growth Supplements	Oral vitamins/botanicals to support follicles internally	Shedding tied to stress, nutrient gaps, or inflammation	2–4+ months	Depends on the cause; won’t fix tension damage alone

What is Finasteride?

This prescription medication was originally developed to treat enlarged prostates. But it became evident really quickly that it could also slow certain types of hair loss.

Finasteride reduces DHT levels, that pesky hormone responsible for causing hair follicles to shrink over time. This lets hair follicles stay in a growth phase longer instead of thinning out and producing weaker strands.

You’ll see this drug prescribed mostly for male pattern baldness, and it’s easy to see why. It works well for guys who want to not only stop hair loss but also encourage new growth. But that’s the thing - it isn’t prescribed to women very often.

Why Women Look for Finasteride Alternatives

We know so many women who contacted their doctor for Finasteride, only to be turned away. The reason is safety. Finasteride carries clear warnings for women who are pregnant or could become pregnant, which immediately rules it out for a large group of people.

But even those who aren’t worried about that probably don’t love the idea of altering hormone levels long term, which is exactly what you’re doing when hopping on Finasteride. Other side effects that could steer you towards a Finasteride alternative for women include changes in:

• Mood
• Libido
• Fatigue

The truth is, though, most prescribers won’t let you waste your time with the treatment. It simply doesn’t work for women the same way it does for men. Female hair thinning is more commonly tied to stress, nutritional gaps, postpartum changes, perimenopause, tight styles, heat damage, or inflammation at the scalp.

In other words, blocking DHT isn’t going to move the needle on your hair loss issue. Plus, even if it did work - you’d have to commit to taking it for the long haul. Most men (and the women who do take it) encounter a “rebound” effect, where all the hair they gained falls out after stopping treatment.

The good news? There’s a smarter Finasteride alternative for you. You don’t have to deal with prescriptions, bloodwork, or ongoing medical monitoring, either. 

What is an Alternative to Finasteride for Women?

We’ve compiled a list of the best over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription-based Finasteride alternatives for women who want to avoid hormone-altering medications. 

In our own experience, the best alternative to Finasteride for women is going to address hair loss from multiple angles: scalp health, circulation, inflammation, and follicle support. The best Finasteride alternative for women is a click away at Rennora Beauty. 

Natural Hair Growth Serums

Rennora Beauty’s Hair Growth Serum has earned over 3,000 reviews and works wonders for women with types 3 and 4 hair specifically. It’s a blend of ancient herbs and vitamins with tons of potential to stop hair loss and even encourage fresh growth. Just a few ingredients include:

• Argan oil: Adds deep moisture and softness to dry, fragile strands
• Castor oil: Supports thicker-looking growth and strengthens weak areas
• Rosemary: Encourages scalp circulation where thinning shows up
• Peppermint: Creates a fresh, stimulating feel that supports follicle activity
• Amla: Helps improve strand strength and reduce breakage
• Bhringraj: Traditionally used to support fuller, healthier-looking hair
• Fenugreek: Adds slip and supports stronger regrowth at the root
• Stinging nettle: Helps calm scalp irritation and shedding
• Horsetail: Supports hair structure with natural silica content
• Ginger root: Boosts circulation and scalp comfort
• Saw palmetto: Helps counter factors linked to thinning
• Hibiscus: Supports elasticity and softness
• Aloe: Soothes dryness and scalp sensitivity
• Neem: Helps keep the scalp balanced and clean
• Calendula: Calms irritation and dryness
• Chamomile: Supports a comfortable, less reactive scalp
• Black tea: Adds antioxidant support at the scalp level
• Garlic seed: Supports circulation and follicle health
• Onion seed: Traditionally used to support regrowth
• Lavender: Helps keep the scalp calm and balanced

There are many more, too. Each has been handpicked for a very specific reason. The serum works best for women with textured hair or those struggling with black women hairline. It’s meant to be applied to the scalp every night and massaged in. 

You may see progress in as little as a few weeks, but your order is backed by a 120-day money-back guarantee, so you can commit to 4 full months. Just see what others had to say:

“I have seen some improvement after two weeks.” - Vater

“My hairline sides are growing back. These are my stress spots and the product is helping to reduce inflammation and tenderness.” - Kelly

“I can see the difference between the time i started using the oil.” - Adresta

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is the other prescription hair loss treatment you’ll see recommended in addition to or instead of Finasteride. This one actually works for women too, though. 

It extends the hair cycle’s growth phase and increases blood flow to the follicles. This lets strands grow longer and thicker over time. Many women use it as a topical foam or solution applied once or twice daily, while some are prescribed a low-dose oral version.

Just be aware Minoxidil, like Finasteride, requires ongoing use. Any new growth will shed once you stop using it. Some women stay away from Minoxidil because of the early shedding phase, too, which can be quite disheartening.

It’s still an option. But we think that given the side effects and the rebound effect, a natural hair growth serum like Rennora Beauty is not just a better Finasteride alternative for women - it’s also a smarter minoxidil alternative for women.

Dutasteride

Dutasteride is a prescription medication that reduces DHT more aggressively than Finasteride. We’re only including it in this conversation to say this is similar to Finasteride in that it is NOT a good option for women, even though other sources are saying it can be.

You can probably tell why - it is basically just a stronger version of Finasteride, which you know carries significant risks for women. You’re better off with a Finasteride alternative for women that won’t mess with your hormones. 

Low-Level Laser Therapy

Low-level laser therapy uses red light to stimulate hair follicles and improve cellular activity at the scalp. There are a few ways you can go about it. Devices range from laser caps to combs and helmets used several times a week.

Whatever the case, some women see thicker-looking hair with consistent use, especially when dealing with mild to moderate thinning. But the jury is still out on just how effective it is. The tools are expensive, too, so it’s a big commitment without much assurance on results.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy

Another Finasteride alternative for women who are interested in exploring more professional treatments is platelet-rich plasma therapy, or PRP. 

The way it works is by drawing your blood, processing it to concentrate platelets, and injecting it into the scalp. The growth factors in platelets may support follicle activity and improve hair density over time. It’s usually done in a series of treatments spaced weeks apart.

It’s a little intense, but the results are nothing short of impressive. Just know PRP can get really expensive depending on how many sessions you need, and it’s extremely uncomfortable. There’s no guarantee of noticeable regrowth for every patient, either. 

Hair Transplants

One of the worst alternatives to Finasteride for women, but one we see recommended all the time, are hair transplants. It sounds great in theory, but rarely does it pan out the way you’d hope.

Hair transplants involve moving follicles from one part of the scalp to thinning areas. Don’t book your flight to Turkey just yet, though. Hair transplants are invasive, expensive, and hit or miss. So many women get a hair transplant but fail to address the underlying cause of hair loss, so they end up back at square one faster than they’d imagined they would. 

Ketoconazole Shampoo

This unique type of shampoo is commonly used to manage follicles from one part of the scalp to thinning areas. It’s not a magic hair loss bullet, but it can certainly help if your shedding is linked to poor scalp conditions, which is actually pretty common.

Set your expectations, though, as no shampoo is going to reverse hair loss on its own. This is just one piece of the puzzle. We actually think Rennora Beauty’s Regrowth Shampoo and Conditioner could be a better fit. It has:

• Shea Butter
• Argan Oil
• Chamomile
• Green Tea
• Henna
• Irish Moss

With hundreds of five-star reviews, it’s just another tool in your arsenal as you fight hair loss from multiple angles. That’s really the key takeaway from this comparison of alternatives to Finasteride - you don’t have to just rely on one thing! 

Hair Growth Supplements

One more Finasteride alternative for women to explore is the easiest to incorporate into a routine: natural hair growth supplements. These are like a multi-vitamin, so they’re very low stress and super convenient. We recommend Rennora Beauty’s Good Growth Capsules.

The formula consists of clinically studied ingredients such as turmeric, ashwagandha, camu camu, niacin, Japanese knotweed, and BioPerine®.

The goal is to support a healthier inflammatory response (especially at the scalp, where imbalance can lead to hair loss), support blood flow, and help the body manage stress. Each of these factors plays a role in female hair thinning.

The capsules work best with the Rennora Beauty topical serum for a one-two punch against hair loss. You can explore other options while you’re at it, such as Weem vs Nutrafol. But Rennora Beauty’s Good Growth Capsules are backed by a 120-day money-back guarantee and the results speak for themselves:

“In love with the Good Growth Capsules it appears to make my hair so much manageable, soft, thick, and longer.My sides are growing in a little more so happy with the progress so far, very impressive.” -Jenise

“Today has been 2 months since I started taking it and I can see improvement on my edges already. This product is working for me so far, and I will continue to use it.” - Missy

“My hair is coming back slowly. No more bald spot in just a few months. I hope to continue to see progress over the next year. Maybe get back to normal!” - Veronica

Final Words on Finasteride Alternative for Women

Finding the right finasteride alternative for women comes down to comfort, safety, and what actually fits your life. Many women want progress without hormone disruption, prescriptions, or long-term side effects. There are plenty of great options at Rennora Beauty. 

Our blog has resources on the ingredients our products rely on, such as argan oil for black hair, rosemary oil for black hair, or the dandelion benefits for hair. Everything we make is rooted in ancient botanical wisdom and modern hair science. 

Start your routine with Rennora Beauty and get consistent, practical hair support today.