While no one enjoys it, we all get older. As we get older, most of us gain some weight, tire more easily, and feel aches and pains we never had before. However, by doing beneficial things such as exercising and eating healthier, we can lessen some of the adverse effects of aging. Looking older and hair loss is one of the worst parts about aging. Hair loss is more common in men, and can affect a man’s self esteem. There are quite a few products available today, some prescription and some non prescription, which claim to reverse hair loss. One prescription medication that has shown some results is finasteride.
As stated on Wikipedia, Finasteride is a synthetic antiandrogen (it blocks the biological reactions of sex hormones of the male). Finasteride, sold under the name of Proscar, Fincar, and Finara, was originally meant as a treatment for men with benign prostate hyperplasia, as a 5 mg dose alleviates urinary symptoms. Finasteride has also been proven to help with hair loss in men. By taking a 1 milligram dose, finasteride (or Propecia) might reverse male pattern baldness.
When taken orally, a 1 mg dose of finasteride blocks production of the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that causes shrinkage of hair follicles (Wellness Letter, University CA Berkeley). In clinical trials, it has been demonstrated that finasteride encourages hair to enter its active growth phase, reverses shrinkage of hair follicles, and slows hair loss. Propecia works best in men who are just starting to lose their hair and are not entirely bald. It also works better on hair loss that occurs around the crown rather than with receding hairlines. A visible difference will appear in about six months, so patience is needed, and by two years most of the hair growth has taken place. If you want to continue to keep your new hair, you will have to take this drug indefinitely. As well, this drug is effective only if your baldness is caused by androgenic alopecia (male pattern hair depletion).
Some unusual side effects that you should know about are erectile dysfunction and loss of libido. Effects of long term usage are currently unknown, and since Propecia affects bodily systems the entire time that it is being taken, this is a factor that should be considered by younger men.
WARNING: Propecia is not acceptable as an aid for women to turn around their hair loss. Severe birth defects in male fetuses can occur if this medication is taken by women. Because it is dangerous during gestation, women who are pregnant, or considering pregnancy, must avoid contact with pills that are not coated entirely, or with any residue from the pills.
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