Finasteride: What Is It, | Risks, Results, Options and Cost

There are surgical and non-surgical treatments for the recovery or solution of hair loss. Among the non-surgical treatments, we find Finasteride. Now, you will ask yourself: what is Finasteride? In this article, we will give you a detailed explanation of this drug, its effects, and its results.

When we suffer from hair loss, we automatically think of looking for a solution, the treatments for this are not many, but if they vary, it will always depend on the reason that is causing the hair loss, and the level of it. That is why we always recommend attending a specialist doctor before making any decision regarding the type of treatment we want to follow.

What is Finasteride?

Finasteride (commercially called Propecia) is an orally administered drug to combat male pattern alopecia. Commonly found as Finasteride 1mg and Finasteride 5mg, the latter is not prescribed for hair problems.

It is the only specific treatment for MPHL (male pattern hair loss) approved by the (FDA) under a prescription.

Years of research and more than a million patients show that Finasteride has a positive long-term effect. We talk about the treatment of MPHL in men of all ages and of diverse ethnicities. This medicine is sometimes used in combination with Minoxidil to complement post-surgical hair transplant treatment. Finasteride is not recommended for women, although there are positive studies in some cases of female-male pattern alopecia.

The effects of reducing hair loss and regrowth are more visible in early-stage baldness. Men with alopecia over a large area are not as likely to get good results with Finasteride. In these cases, the patient is a candidate for surgical intervention, a hair transplant. It must be remembered that where there is no longer a follicle, the only solution is to transplant.

This drug is much more effective in stimulating hair growth at the crown and is less effective in stimulating growth in the front. Hair loss in this area is commonly known as “receding hairline.” Hair restoration doctors can prescribe Finasteride to prevent future hair loss and carry out hair transplantation by providing coverage of the front line.

How does it work?

Finasteride works at the molecular level to stop hair loss and stimulate new hair growth. It inhibits the activity of the enzyme that converts testosterone, preventing it from being activated in the hair follicles.

Androgenic hormones, such as testosterone, have multiple effects on the body, including the skin, follicles, and the prostate. The follicles and sebaceous glands of the skin are particularly sensitive to androgen hormones. Testosterone is the most powerful androgen hormone. Its action on the hair follicles, the skin, and the prostate is not direct. However, these issues are sensitive to a form of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Testosterone is converted into DHT by the action of an enzyme called 5 alpha-reductase. The Finasteride inhibits the action of 5-alpha-reductase and consequently inhibits the conversion of testosterone into DHT.

Finasteride side effects: Myths and facts

There are many debates on the subject of the drug Propecia (Finasteride) for hair loss that it would be important to clarify:

First of all, what effects does Finasteride have on patients? The greatest effect of Finasteride is that it helps to regain thickness and reduce hair loss; generally not effective in regrowing hair in areas where little or no hair remains.

The patient for Finasteride is any man who suffers from alopecia and it becomes evident that his hair begins to weaken. The earlier hair loss is detected, the more opportunities there are to stop or reverse the hair loss process.

The drug Propecia is not recommended for women considering it “dangerous” for them. In pregnant women, exposing a male fetus to high levels of DHT can cause hypospadias. It is an abnormality in the external male genitalia. Women are advised not to touch Finasteride tablets, to avoid direct contact with the skin.

Studies carried out in postmenopausal women without risk of becoming a pregnant show that the effect of Finasteride 1mg is very low. Its use is being studied in certain cases of male pattern female alopecia.

Finasteride Side Effects

Side effects are the main discussion among patients taking or planning to take Finasteride; Clinical studies conducted in men between the ages of 18 and 41 indicate that side effects occur in less than 2% of patients, and are slightly increased in men over 41 who suffer from conditions such as hypertension, diabetes or peripheral vascular disease that they are diseases that can predispose to sexual side effects. The side effects of Finasteride have been identified as being associated with loss of libido and erectile dysfunction.

It is also important to say that Finasteride is also used in higher doses for prostate hypertrophy and that its use is not recommended for hair loss as they are different doses and with results opposite to those achieved with the dose tested for the treatment of alopecia, of course, it is not recommended to buy this medicine and split the tablet to reduce the dose, as some of our patients have told us they do. , The only drug studied and approved for hair loss is the brand name Propecia finasteride.

Since Finasteride causes a reduction in the size of the prostate, some men may experience a reduction in the force or volume of ejaculation. A decrease in the number of sperm has been seen in men who have other diseases added to the intake of the drug. Breast tenderness, gynecomastia, and testicular discomfort are some discomforts that have also occurred during clinical trials, but very infrequently. There have been complaints from patients of depression and sexual side effects that have persisted after stopping use, but no relationship with Finasteride has been established.

It is important to note that if the patient decides to suspend the use of Finasteride, any progress that has been achieved in terms of recovering hair thickness and stopping hair loss will return to its original state once the therapy is suspended.

When recommending a medical treatment to grow hair, it is important to know that certain factors must be taken into account. The age of the patient, the degree of hair loss and future projections, family history, and expectations regarding the desired results; If the patient can be satisfied with moderate hair growth or it is less than 25, a treatment with Finasteride 1mg is commonly started for a year to see results.

Other non-surgical treatments

• Minoxidil: it is a solution used in both men and women, from 1986 to 1996 it was a medicine used only with a prescription, now it is over-the-counter and can be found under a brand name (Rogaine) or in some generic formulas a little less expensive. Minoxidil is medicine for topical use that is applied directly to the area where you want to recover hair. Minoxidil generally has a greater effect on the central area of the scalp than on the front. Its most common and effective use is as a complement to a hair transplant to generate more abundance of hair.

• Shampoo against hair loss: When it comes to shampoo against hair loss, probably refers to those that have to revitalize, anti-seborrheic, and anti-dandruff abilities. An example of this is a shampoo containing 2% ketoconazole whicattacksck the three factors that influence hair loss. Other shampoos indicated for hair loss are those that contain active ingredients that intervene to hinder the effects of DHT on the hair follicles. We know that DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is one of the most important reasons for inherited hair loss. Another active ingredient in hair loss shampoos is thymus peptides. These penetrate the hair follicle performing a deep cleaning process and opening the pores. This facilitates the natural growth of new, healthy