Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, affects millions of men worldwide. For many men, losing their hair can be a significant blow to their self-esteem and confidence. The good news is, there are treatments available that can help slow down or even reverse hair loss. One of the most popular of these treatments is finasteride.
What is Finasteride?
Finasteride is a prescription medication that was originally developed to treat an enlarged prostate gland, a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, it was later found to be effective in treating male pattern baldness.
Finasteride is sold under the brand name Propecia and is one of only two medications in the UK with a licence to be used to treat hairloss.
The recommended dose is 1mg everyday.
How does it work?
Male pattern baldness is caused by the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a derivative of testosterone. DHT causes hair follicles to shrink and eventually stop producing hair.
Finasteride works by blocking the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT, thus reducing the levels of DHT in the scalp. This helps to reverse the miniaturization of hair follicles and can even promote hair regrowth.
Is Finasteride Effective?
Clinical studies have shown that finasteride is effective at reducing hair loss and promoting hair regrowth. In a study of men with mild to moderate hair loss, 83% of those who took finasteride for two years saw an increase in hair growth, compared to 28% of those who took a placebo.
Another study showed that finasteride slowed down hair loss in 86% of men who took the medication for five years.
However, it is worth noting that finasteride is not a 'miracle cure' for hair loss. It usually takes 3-6 months of continuous use to start seeing results, and it may not work for a small percentage of men. It is also important to know, if a person stops taking finasteride, any hair regrowth that occurred will most likely be lost within 6-12 months.
Are there any side effects?
As with any medication, finasteride can cause side effects. The most common side effects include decreased libido (sex drive), erectile dysfunction (difficuly achieving or maintaining an erection), and decreased ejaculate volume. However, these side effects are relatively rare and usually resolve once a person stops taking the medication. In rare cases, finasteride can cause more severe side effects such as depression and suicidal thoughts.
This is why it is essential to speak with a healthcare provider before taking finasteride to discuss potential side effects and determine whether it is a safe and appropriate treatment option for you.
Do I have to take a tablet?
Some companies have now developed a Finasteide spray. It is usually combined with Minoxidil (another licenced hairloss medication) and was developed for people who want to avoid taking tablets and also reduced the side effects associated with them.
It is thought that the local application of the drug allows it to act on the hair follicles without lowering serum (blood) concentration levels of DHT which results in fewer side effects.
In summary, Finasteride is a proven effective medication that can be used to prevent further hairloss and in some people help to regrow hair follicles that are in the miniaturization stage. It is a available in tablet and topical forms and for the best results it is best combined with with Minoxidil.
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