Finasteride is not a miracle treatment, but it works reasonably well for many people. Results tend to be slow, and it appears to be better at retaining than regrowing hair. But as treatments go, it's fairly effective. Like all treatments discussed here, it is typically best used as part of a multifaceted program.

Both finasteride and minoxidil are treatments for hair loss that have been reported to be successful in growing new hair. Minoxidil has a 1 in 3 success rate for crown hair growth in men and finasteride reports a 2 in 3 success rate for new hair growth on the crown region. Even though finasteride may not work for all men, it is generally accepted as a treatment to stop further hair loss.

No. Finasteride can be taken and is easily absorbed in the small intestine with or without food. It's best to take it at about the same time each day, so it becomes routine.

Finasteride is the best documented of the DHT inhibitors and most people notice no side effects from it. Some people do, however, experience a reduction in libido or notice more watery semen. Some get some noticeable hyperandrogenicity, as evidenced by increased facial oil, pimples or unusually high libido. Testicular ache is occasionally noted, probably due to increased testosterone output, and the body takes time to adjust to this.

Finpecia is a potent inhibitor of enzyme 5-alpha reductase. Elevated levels of 5-alpha reductase have been shown to be responsible for increased levels of DHT ( Dihydrotestosterone ) which in turn can lead to male pattern baldness ( Androgenetic Alopecia ). Finasteride is effective in the treatment of mild to moderate hair loss. two 24 month studies were conductedon a group of men aged 18 to 41. The results were conclusive.

Propecia (Finasteride) works on a key cause of hair loss by significantly reducing the amount of DHT. Specifically, Propecia (Finasteride) blocks the formation of DHT in your scalp. Lowering DHT appears to inhibit the further shrinking of affected hair follicles. Propecia (Finasteride) also helps regrow visible hair and reduces further hair loss.

Five years of clinical data with Propecia (Finasteride) show the sooner, the better. If you have male pattern hair loss, the sooner you get started on Propecia (Finasteride), the more hair you may have later. In fact, in the longest reported controlled study of male pattern hair loss ever conducted, men who were started on a placebo (sugar pill) and then placed on Propecia (Finasteride) 1 year later never caught up to the men who were on Propecia (Finasteride) for the full 5 years.

Propecia (Finasteride) is for use by MEN ONLY and should NOT be used by women or children. Women who are or may potentially be pregnant must not use Propecia (Finasteride) and should not handle crushed or broken Propecia (Finasteride) tablets. If a woman who is pregnant comes into contact with the active ingredient in Propecia (Finasteride), a doctor should be consulted.

Clinical studies showed that side effects were uncommon and did not affect most men. A small number of men had sexual side effects, with each occurring in less than 2% of men. These included less desire for sex, difficulty in achieving an erection, and a decrease in the amount of semen. These side effects went away in men who stopped taking Propecia (Finasteride) because of them. In addition, these side effects decreased to 0.3% or less by the fifth year of treatment.

I consider the introduction of finasteride/Propecia/Proscar to be a revolutionary addition to our hair restoration solutions. This medication stops the progression of hair loss in 85% of men. It results in significant regrowth in the crown area in 66% and over 40% get noticeable improvement in the frontal forelock (the area from the scalpline to the crown.) Improvement of temporal recession is uncommon but does occur.

Early dose ranging studies showed that much smaller dosages, such as 0.5 mg and even less, inhibited DHT on average almost as well as much higher dosages, such as 5 mg. One 6-month study (You can see this study by going to the HairlossSucks Document Resource Center at http://www.HairlossSucks.com/hairlossdocs.htm and looking in the "Propecia Related" section) comparing a placebo group, which lost hair, to users taking differing dosages of finasteride found that 0.

No. Originally Merck decided to err on the side of caution and warned against the possible problem of Finasteride transfer in semen. This warning has since been removed. At issue is the theoretical danger that there could be genital birth defects in the male fetus. This is one reason Finasteride tablets are coated, and women who are or could get pregnant should avoid Finasteride ingestion and the handling of broken Finasteride tablets.

Finasteride is the first approved pill to treat male pattern hair loss. Propecia? is a tablet taken once a day, available via a doctor's prescription only. According to Merck the manufacturer, an estimated 1 million men in the United States take Propecia? daily. Most men taking Propecia ? experience an increase in hair count, a decrease in hair loss, and an improvement in appearance. It has been discovered that the hormone known as DHT is one of the principal factors in male pattern hair loss.

A percentage of Dr. Lee's male patients report decreased libido and about 1 percent of men report relative impotence. There have also been reports of "ache in the groin area" by a small number of male patients. The symptoms disappear when the medication is discontinued. Even if the patient continues to take the finasteride, the symptoms usually subside for most patients.

There is no contraindication for post-menopausal women or for women who are sterile for any other reason. However, recent clinical trials conducted by Merck show no statistical benefit for women who have pattern baldness to take finasteride

Like minoxidil, finasteride is not a cure for baldness. You have to continue to take finasteride to keep the levels of DHT low. When you stop taking finasteride, it takes two weeks for the DHT levels to return to normal. However, there are alternative ways to inhibit 5-alpha reductase in the scalp, such as the use of topical of azelaic acid.

It won't be necessary. The biological effect of finasteride is so prolonged, that the levels of systemic DHT will not return to baseline for two weeks after discontinuation