Finasteride

Categories: Prescription Medication

Description:

Finasteride is a medication commonly used to treat male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). For hair loss, it works by preventing the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that shrinks hair follicles and leads to thinning hair or baldness.

Here’s what you should know about using finasteride for hair loss:

Effectiveness:

Studies show that finasteride can slow hair loss and promote hair regrowth, especially in men with mild to moderate hair thinning.
It typically takes 3 to 6 months of daily use to start seeing results. Maximal results may be visible after 12 months of consistent treatment.
Finasteride is generally more effective at maintaining existing hair rather than regrowing lost hair.

Dosage:

The common dosage for treating hair loss is 1 mg per day. The higher 5 mg dosage is usually prescribed for prostate issues, not hair loss.

Side Effects:

Some men experience side effects such as reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, or a decrease in ejaculatory volume. These side effects are usually rare and reversible upon discontinuation.
In rare cases, side effects can persist after stopping the medication, a condition sometimes referred to as post-finasteride syndrome.

Who Can Use It:

Only men should use finasteride for hair loss; it is not recommended for women, particularly those of childbearing age, because it can cause birth defects.
It is prescribed for men with androgenetic alopecia (the most common type of hair loss).

Long-term Use:

Continuous use is required to maintain results. If you stop taking finasteride, any hair regrowth you achieved may be lost within 12 months.

Treatment For:

Male Pattern Baldness

AI generated Summary: Based on the author's review, Finasteride is considered a first-line therapy for male pattern baldness due to its availability in both topical and oral forms. However, the author expresses reservations about its potential side effects, such as reduced libido and erectile dysfunction, especially with the oral pill, and suggests using the topical form to minimize systemic side effects.

Reviews

Average rating: 4/5

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ER Doc

October 4, 2024

4.0

While considered first line therapy for hair loss because it can be given topically or orally, I am less enthusiastic because it has a potential in reducing libido and erectile dysfunction. It's mechanism is to inhibit 5 alpha reductase that converts testosterone. Thus topically, it has less systemic side effects, than the oral pill. If I were to use this, I would recommend the topical agent more.

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