Minoxidil is currently used to lower blood pressure and promote hair growth. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the topical use of minoxidil to treat male hair loss after several years of research.
They are gel, serum, and foam forms. It is mainly used to treat hair baldness and the healthy growth of hair. It helps to strengthen the growing process of hair and lengthens the strands of hair.
The effectiveness and results of minoxidil medication may be different for every individual. The changes are usually visible after continuous use from three to six months.
The hair growth process starts to begin after that period and may only keep going if the medication is still in use. Hair loss might begin again once the medication has been stopped for a few months.
In this article, we would be looking at some of the side effects of minoxidil.
Contents
- 1 Side Effects Of Minoxidil
- 1.1 May Increase Acne Prone Condition
- 1.2 Could Increase Digestive Complications
- 1.3 May Reduce Blood Pressure Levels
- 1.4 May Cause Allergic Reaction
- 1.5 May Cause Rashes
- 1.6 May Decrease Libido Levels
- 1.7 May Enhance Depression Complications
- 1.8 May Cause Ejaculation Problems
- 1.9 Nausea And Vomiting
- 1.10 Breast Pain
- 2 Conclusion
Side Effects Of Minoxidil
May Increase Acne Prone Condition
Minoxidil overdose may cause your sebaceous glands to become more active and produce more sebum.
A natural oil called sebum normally aids in moisturizing and protecting skin, but too much of it could block pores and cause cystic acne outbreaks.
However, minoxidil may encourage clear, healthy skin when used in the proper amount. The creation of fatty acids, which could nourish your skin and treat dry, imbalanced skin, is aided by minoxidil.
Thought to be effective only when taken orally at first, it may now be applied topically to raise blood levels of the vitamin. Simply cut back on your intake if you start to notice breakouts on your skin.
Could Increase Digestive Complications
There have been no studies on the safety of minoxidil for people taking prescription medications. This is just one of the reasons you should speak with a doctor before taking it.
However, if you experience digestive problems like an upset stomach, constipation, or excessive gas after taking it, it may be a minoxidil side effect.
May Reduce Blood Pressure Levels
Minoxidil is a vasodilator, it may modestly reduce blood pressure. Men who use Minoxidil may therefore encounter adverse symptoms such as swollen hands, face, or head as well as fatigue, drowsiness, and dizziness.
This is typical and merely your body adjusting to the fluctuations in blood pressure, so don’t worry about it. This however is uncommon and typically the result of using too much Minoxidil and having too much of it absorbed by the body.
May Cause Allergic Reaction
There is a potential that some people who use minoxidil capsules could experience allergic reactions. Because we are all unique, so are how our bodies respond to minoxidil.
The allergic responses could include nausea, swelling of the face and throat, tightness in the throat, and itchy rashes. It is best to see a doctor as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms after taking minoxidil.
May Cause Rashes
As long as you don’t go overboard, there are no known adverse effects from taking minoxidil supplements. There isn’t, however, any conclusive research that points you in the right direction.
Skin rash, however, is one of its adverse effects of it. It may be related to minoxidil if you suddenly develop itchy skin and rashes all over your body.
May Decrease Libido Levels
The most frequent side effects of minoxidil are those related to sexual activity. Impotence or a decreased libido should be discussed with your doctor if you experience them.
These negative effects could be a result of the low dosage you are taking. You shouldn’t stop taking the medication if this is the case.
If you stop taking the medication, your hair loss may increase quickly. Increase your dosage instead of stopping the medication.
May Enhance Depression Complications
Minoxidil may increase depression levels in people who are stressed and may have more impact because of minoxidil.
Only a little amount of studies have examined mood swings in people taking minoxidil. A small number of people have reported experiencing mood changes, but there is little scientific research on the subject.
May Cause Ejaculation Problems
A frequent adverse effect of minoxidil is ejaculation dysfunction. The inability to ejaculate and a decrease in the amount of semen are two characteristics of ejaculation dysfunction.
If you use minoxidil, ejaculation dysfunction might occur. You should discuss this side effect with your doctor if you have ejaculation disorder.
If you have a history of ejaculation disorder, you should also speak with your doctor. If you have ejaculation disorder, you shouldn’t stop taking minoxidil because you might start losing more hair.
Nausea And Vomiting
One of the common side effects of Minoxidil is nausea and vomiting. You might throw up or feel the need to vomit throughout the day.
This could cause major discomfort for people to do their day-to-day activities and eat food properly without feeling the need to throw up. However, the feeling of nausea and vomiting does not last long.
If you have just started Minoxidil medication, then you might feel nausea and vomiting. But with time and after a few weeks, this feeling should go away or at least decrease.
Breast Pain
Another common side effect of Minoxidil is breast pain or tenderness of the breast. The pain could be constant for a few days or you might feel it sometimes and not often.
This may happen to both men and women but the chances of women having breast pain are more common. Breast pain should not be an issue anymore after a few days.
However, if you have a sharp pain that is not going away, then this might cause major consequences. You may consult a medical professional for your complications.
Conclusion
Minoxidil is comparatively safe compared to other products used for baldness and hair growth. However, there are side effects of Minoxidil as well.
It has been noticed that topical minoxidil causes more side effects compared to oral minoxidil. Many people confuse the shedding of hair as a side effect of Minoxidil.
When you start using Minoxidil, you might lose some hair at the beginning. That should be confused as a side effect. It is known as Minoxidil shedding which stops after a few weeks of continuous use of the medication.
Every medication has its side effects. However, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you’re facing major side effects of Minoxidil that have not stopped for 2-3 weeks, then you should immediately consult a doctor and ask for necessary help.