Fight off DHT, the hormone that's otherwise attacking and miniturizing your hair follicles.
Female pattern hair loss is driven, at least in part, by sensitivity of scalp follicles to a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Finasteride blocks the type II 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, which converts testosterone into DHT, helping lower DHT at the follicle level. In women with pattern hair loss, this can help stabilize shedding and support thicker, denser growth over time—especially when combined with oral minoxidil, biotin, and folic acid.
The published studies in women have tested finasteride at doses from 1 mg up to 5 mg daily. A large trial using the “men’s dose” of 1 mg in postmenopausal women didn’t outperform placebo, but several small open-label studies at 2.5–5 mg per day showed more encouraging results: many women experienced stabilization of loss and visible improvement in hair density and thickness after 6–12 months of treatment. (Source) Some of these women had already failed topical minoxidil and other therapies, suggesting that medium-dose finasteride can be majorly beneficial for stopping hair loss in postmenopausal women.
Locklab’s women’s capsule includes 2.5 mg of oral finasteride—a safer dose in the range where studies have shown benefit—combined with other clinically backed hair ingredients. Because finasteride can cause birth defects in a male fetus and alters hormone pathways, our providers reserve it for women who are postmenopausal or who cannot get pregnant, and who are appropriate candidates based on their medical history and goals. Every prescription is written by a licensed provider, who weighs the current evidence, reviews potential risks and side effects, and decides if 2.5 mg finasteride is a good fit as part of a multi-ingredient approach.
In female studies reviewed, medium dose oral finasteride was generally well tolerated, and serious complications were not reported. You can see a list of potential side effects here
