> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.hi-doctor.ai/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Finasteride for female hair loss > A practical guide to off-label 2.5mg finasteride in women — pregnancy safeguards, dosing, and the effects to watch for. Finasteride is sometimes prescribed off-label for female hair loss, at a 2.5 mg daily dose. Because it is off-label and the safety profile in women differs from the licensed male use, it comes with strict pregnancy safeguards. ## How to use Two rules run alongside each other throughout treatment — the daily dose, and the pregnancy safeguards. Take the prescribed tablet at roughly the same time each day, with or without food. Use in women with hair loss is off-label. Do not take extra after a missed dose. Finasteride must not be used during pregnancy. Follow the contraception and pregnancy-testing plan agreed with the prescriber, and do not handle crushed or broken tablets if pregnant or if pregnancy is possible. Stop and contact the prescriber promptly if pregnancy occurs, a period is unexpectedly late, or contraception fails. ## Dose schedule **Daily dose** 2.5 mg finasteride — one tablet. Use in women with hair loss is off-label. Before and during treatment, the prescriber confirms the diagnosis, pregnancy precautions, current medicines, liver history, mood, and breast symptoms — keep all planned reviews. Response is reviewed at 3–6 months by comparing standardised photographs and discussing tolerance; do not judge response after only a few weeks or raise the dose without medical advice. ## What has been reported | Category | What has been reported | | --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Hormonal and sexual effects | Breast tenderness, reduced libido, sexual symptoms, or menstrual changes may occur. Report a breast lump or nipple discharge promptly. | | Mood and allergy symptoms | Low mood or anxiety has been reported with finasteride. Facial swelling, hives, or breathing difficulty can indicate a serious allergic reaction. | ## Contact your doctor if * Pregnancy occurs, a period is unexpectedly late, or contraception fails — stop and contact the prescriber promptly * A breast lump, nipple discharge, severe low mood, or a serious allergic reaction * Persistent sexual, menstrual, or other effects concern you ## Storage Keep in the original package, away from moisture and direct heat, and out of children's reach. Follow the temperature limit on your pack and do not use it after the expiry date. ## What to expect Hair treatment is gradual. Early shedding can occur, and photographs taken in the same light are more useful than day-to-day checking. The doctor normally reviews tolerance and progress after several months; continue only while the balance of benefit and risk remains appropriate. ## Related reading For the licensed male-authorisation dosing and mechanism, see [Propecia](/library/medicines/propecia). See [safety](/essentials/safety) for how eligibility checks and doctor review work, and [pricing](/essentials/pricing) for the consultation fee. ## Start a consultation Answer the hair-growth questionnaire and a registered doctor reviews it. They decide whether treatment is appropriate, which one, and at what dose — and declining is a normal outcome. See [what it costs](/essentials/pricing) and [how the review works](/essentials/how-it-works). This page is reference information, not medical advice and not a prescription. Whether a medicine is appropriate for you is decided by a registered doctor after reviewing your consultation.