Finasteride Slows Hair Loss
We can’t help but age no matter what we do. Most people see changes in their bodies as they get older, such as weight gain, lack of energy, and new aches and pains that were not there in the past. We can do many things, like exercising and eating healthier, to minimize some of the undesirable facets of aging. The most traumatic factors of the aging process are looking older and hair loss. Happening more frequently for men, hair loss can degrade a person’s self esteem. You can find plenty of products, some requiring a prescription some not, which claim to reverse hair loss. Trials have proven that finasteride is the only prescription medicine that is effective.
As described in Wikipedia, Finasteride is a synthetic antiandrogen (represses the biological responses of male sex hormones). The original use for Finasteride, which is sold as Proscar, Fincar and Finara, was to help reduce urinary symptoms in men with benign prostate hyperplasia. Finasteride has been known for a long time to treat hair loss in men. Male pattern baldness can be reversed by a 1 milligram dosage of finasteride or Propecia.
Dihydrotestosterone is a hormone that causes hair follicles to shrink (Wellness Letter, University CA Berkely) and the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone is inhibited by a 1 mg oral dose of finasteride. Finasteride has been shown to support the process whereby hair is converted into its active growth phase, and to slow continuing hair loss by turning around hair follicle shrinkage. Men who are just starting to experience hair loss, and are not yet totally bald, will enjoy the greatest benefit from using Propecia. It is more effective for hair loss around the crown and less effective on receding hairlines. You must be patient, because it takes about six months for a marked difference to show up and approximately two years for major hair growth to take root. If you want to maintain your hair growth, it is necessary for you to use this medication for the rest of your life. In addition, this drug will work properly only if your baldness is triggered by androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness).
Side effects such as erectile dysfunction and a reduced libido are unusual, but you should know about them nonetheless. There is no current data on effects of long term usage of Propecia which is something that younger men should consider, since this medication will have an effect on their systems for at least as long as they continue taking it.
Caution: Propecia is not recommended for women who want to reverse hair loss. The fact is that male fetuses have been known to have severe birth defects caused by this medication. Pregnant women and those who are trying to become pregnant should avoid touching a broken or crushed pill.