Hair loss, decoded.
Independent, evidence-first guide to hair loss. What's causing it, how to identify it, and what actually works to fix it. Every claim cited to the research.
Today on Regrowth Index · May 20, 2026
Spironolactone is a common second-line treatment for female pattern hair loss.
Spironolactone is a common second-line treatment for female pattern hair loss. Anti-androgen, oral, prescribed off-label. Not for men. Not safe in pregnancy.
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Browse by topic
Conditions
Conditions & causes
Every major form of hair loss: pattern, telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, postpartum, scarring alopecias.
- Pattern hair loss
- Telogen effluvium
- Alopecia areata
- Postpartum
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Diagnosis
Diagnosis
How to work out what you have. Pattern, speed, scalp. When to see a dermatologist. What bloods to ask for.
- Diagnostic flow
- Blood tests
- When to see a dermatologist
See all →
Treatments
Treatments
What each treatment actually does, who it works for, and what the evidence supports.
- Minoxidil
- Finasteride vs. dutasteride
- Hair transplants
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Why we built this
The internet is full of hair-loss content. Almost none of it cites the research.
Most of what shows up when you search "is my hair falling out" is either an undisclosed product ad or a vague summary. Regrowth Index is the alternative: every meaningful claim on the site is cited to a primary source: randomised trials, FDA documentation, dermatology society guidelines.
We don't accept payment to feature, rank, or recommend any product. We don't have affiliate relationships. We just read the studies and write what they actually say.
Featured
What's Causing My Hair Loss? A Diagnostic Guide
A step-by-step guide to working out why your hair is falling out: from pattern recognition to triggers, blood tests, and when you actually need a dermatologist.
Recently updated
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Hair Loss From Medications: Which Drugs Cause Shedding (and What to Do About It)
A practical guide to medication-induced hair loss: which drug classes are common culprits (beta blockers, anticoagulants, isotretinoin, antidepressants, hormonal therapies), how to tell if your prescription is the cause, when to consult the prescriber, and why most cases reverse.
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Minoxidil vs. Finasteride: Which Should You Take for Hair Loss?
Minoxidil and finasteride are the two first-line treatments for pattern hair loss. Different mechanisms, different efficacy, different side-effect profiles. The honest comparison, and why most men take both.
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Finasteride vs. Dutasteride: Which Should You Take for Hair Loss?
Finasteride and dutasteride are both 5α-reductase inhibitors used for male pattern hair loss. They're not interchangeable: efficacy, side effects, and FDA status differ. The honest comparison.
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Microneedling for Hair Loss: Does It Actually Work?
Microneedling for androgenetic alopecia: what the trials actually show, why it works as an adjunct to minoxidil, the at-home vs. in-office difference, and what the risks are.
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PRP for Hair Loss: Does It Work, and Is It Worth the Cost?
Platelet-rich plasma for androgenetic alopecia: what the trials actually show, the typical protocol and cost, who responds best, and how PRP compares to minoxidil, finasteride, and microneedling.
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Alopecia Areata: Causes, Treatments, and What to Expect
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition causing patchy, totalis, or universalis hair loss. The current treatment landscape, including JAK inhibitors, and a realistic picture of the prognosis.
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Female Pattern Hair Loss: What's Happening and What Actually Works
Female pattern hair loss (FPHL): what it looks like, why it happens, and the treatments with real evidence including minoxidil, spironolactone, low-dose oral minoxidil, and finasteride.
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Blood Tests for Hair Loss: What to Ask Your Doctor For
The high-yield blood panel for diffuse hair loss: what each test means, what cutoff values matter, and how to ask your GP for the workup if they're hesitant.
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Hair Transplants Explained: FUE vs. FUT, Cost, and What to Expect
How modern hair transplants work, the difference between FUE and FUT, realistic results, recovery timelines, costs, and how to spot a clinic worth its fees.
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Minoxidil for Hair Loss: How It Works, What to Expect, and Topical vs. Oral
Minoxidil 5% topical, low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM), realistic regrowth expectations, the shed, side effects, and what stopping does. The evidence-based guide.
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Postpartum Hair Loss: Why It Happens and When It Stops
Postpartum hair loss is alarming, common, and almost always temporary. What's actually happening, when shedding peaks, when it stops, and what (if anything) to do about it.
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Telogen Effluvium: Why You're Suddenly Shedding (and When It Stops)
Telogen effluvium is the sudden diffuse shed that follows illness, childbirth, stress, or a new medication. What's happening, when it stops, and why most cases need patience, not treatment.
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Types of Hair Loss: How to Tell What You Have
Pattern hair loss, telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, scarring alopecias: what each one looks like, how it progresses, and how a dermatologist tells them apart.
Frequently asked questions
What does Regrowth Index cover?
Every major form of hair loss (pattern hair loss, telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, postpartum, traction, scarring alopecias), the diagnostic flow that distinguishes them, the blood tests worth asking your doctor for, and what each treatment actually does. Every meaningful claim is cited to primary research.
Is this site independent, or do you take affiliate money?
Independent. We don't take payment to feature, rank, or recommend any product, and we don't run affiliate links. If that ever changes it will be clearly disclosed on every page where a link appears.
Who writes the articles?
A small editorial team led by Helena Marsh (medical research editor, focused on dermatology and women's health) and James Ardell (science writer, focused on pharmacology and clinical research). Author bios link from every article byline to a dedicated author page.
How current is the information?
Articles are reviewed against the underlying research before publication and the publication date appears on every page. The sitemap includes a lastmod date so search engines and AI crawlers can detect when content has changed.
Is this medical advice?
No. Regrowth Index is an evidence-based reference, not a substitute for a consultation with a dermatologist or doctor. Every article includes a 'when to see a dermatologist' section to flag the situations that need clinical attention.
How can I get in touch?
Contact details and the editorial-corrections process are on the about page. We respond to factual corrections within a week and update the corresponding article with a visible note.