Finasteride For Male Pattern Hair Loss

Male pattern baldness is a common type of hair loss which develops in many men at different stages of life. There are various medications and treatments are available to treat this male-pattern baldness. Most commonly prescribed US FDA approved medications are Minoxidil and Finasteride. Let’s try to see how to take finasteride for hair loss?

What is hair loss?

Male-pattern baldness is also called androgenic alopecia. Generally, caused by a combination of hereditary (genetic) and hormonal factors. A hair normally grows from a hair follicle. It then sheds down and a new hair grows from the follicle. As balding develops, eventually leads to smaller hair follicles and a thin hair which doesn’t grow out gradually. Male hormones causes these changes. It converts testosterone into other hormone called dihydrotestosterone.

With the arrival of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors like Propecia and with the advancement in surgical hair restoration, the problem of hair loss has become lesser. However, along with this hope to deal with the stress of baldness, a number of fake products have also started to rule the market. And you are advised not to waste your time and attention over such products unless they are FDA approved.

What is finasteride?

Finasteride is the generic name of Propecia which was developed for relief therapy to the enlarged prostate. But, In recent years it has been introduced to quick fix the problem of male baldness pattern. Finasteride used to treat male pattern hair loss by blocking the body’s production of a male hormone in the scalp that stops hair growth. It is not used to treat hair loss in women or children. So women and children stay away from this medicine.

How finasteride works

Finasteride is a prescribed to treat male pattern baldness i.e. androgenetic alopecia at the crown and in the middle of the scalp in men. Finasteride specifically lowers the levels of DHT in the scalp, thus helps to reverse the balding process. 1 mg of finasteride can effectively lower DHT levels in the scalp as low as 60% after having it daily. It is DHT which shrinks the hair follicle, which eventually leads to baldness. This 60% of reduction in DHT proved to stop the progression of hair loss in 86% of men after taking the drug during trials.

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How to take finasteride for hair fall?

• Finasteride, an oral medication, usually taken once a day with or without food.
• You have to take one (1 mg) tablet every day, exactly as your doctor advises you to take.
• Remember to take your doses at the same time of day, as this will help you to remember to take finasteride on a regular basis.
• Anytime if you forget to take a dose on time, take it when you remember it.
• If you forget to take a dose any day, skip the missed dose. Don’t have a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
• Always follow the instructions of your doctor on how to consume finasteride. If you have any drug allergies inform your doctor about it, and if you on any medication.

Side-effects of finasteride

Finasteride may cause many side effects. If you face any unusual side-effects you should immediately re-consult your Dermatologists. You can face some of the following side-effects :

• Inability to have an erection
• Decreased desire for sex
• Problems with ejaculation
• Testicles pain
• Depression

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It doesn’t take more than 12 months for finasteride to show its results. It is obligatory that you do not try out the finasteride on your own and consult your doctor before doing so. You are anytime welcome at HairMD to receive proper consultation and guidance on how to take finasteride to achieve maximum effect. It is important that you have to keep realistic expectations.

Thank you for reading!