Table of Contents

I. What is Propecia Used For?

II. How Does Propecia Work?

III. Clinical Studies of Propecia

IV. Possible Side Effects of Propecia

What is Propecia Used For?

As many men age, they begin to notice that their hairline is thinning. Men may think this is a natural part of aging, but this does not have to be the case. Baldness may be due to a hereditary condition, also known as androgenic alopecia. This is usually referred to as male pattern baldness and causes 95 percent of hair loss in men.

If you know that male pattern baldness runs in your family, you may want to get on top of your hair loss before it occurs. If you notice that you are beginning to lose hair on the crown of your head, you should seek the help of your doctor. They may prescribe Propecia for male pattern baldness to slow down the hair loss process.

Propecia is used to help with inherited genes that cause the hair to be thin. This is typically due to a genetic sensitivity to a byproduct of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). When hair follicles become sensitive to DHT, the follicles shrink and get smaller. This makes the hair grow and fall out at an accelerated rate. Over time, the follicles will stop growing hair altogether, leading to baldness. But is Propecia effective? Read on to learn more. [1]

How Does Propecia Work?

There are hundreds of hair loss products on the market, but not all of them have the intended effect. If you have tried creams and foams and are still noticing hair loss, you may want to try prescription options. Propecia is a commonly prescribed hair loss medication that reduces the presence of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. This enzyme is responsible for creating the DHT testosterone byproduct.

The presence of DHT is not responsible for all types of hair loss, but your doctor may try it first to see if it makes a difference in your hair loss treatment. When the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme is reduced, the amount of DHT dissipates, which helps keep your hair from falling out. If this treatment works for you, DHT was the likely culprit of your hair loss. But if it does not work, you may have to undergo other tests to find the root cause of your condition.

In most cases, it can take several months before the medication shows an improvement in your hair. Doctors say if you use Propecia for a year and do not notice an improvement, it is unlikely you ever will. Women also experience baldness, but Propecia is not recommended for use in women. [2]

Clinical Studies of Propecia

Because there are so many hair products available, it is no surprise that the efficiency of Propecia is often questioned. Luckily, several clinical studies can help determine its efficacy for hair loss.

Tens of thousands of men have been tested with finasteride, and most of them found it to be effective in male pattern baldness. These studies lasted for over five years, and it was found that this drug not only slows the process of hair loss but can help regrow the hair that the person has already lost. 

In fact, clinical trials show that 86 percent of the participants stopped losing hair with Propecia. Around 65 percent also noted a substantial increase in the amount of hair, which suggests that finasteride can become more effective over prolonged use. [2]

Possible Side Effects of Propecia

No prescription medication comes without possible side effects or symptoms, including Propecia. Yes, this drug is effective in most men who use it, but its users must monitor their health to ensure they experience no adverse side effects.

The most common side effects of Propecia vary from man to man but may include:

• Sexual dysfunction: A decreased sexual ability or desire is one of the most commonly reported side effects of Propecia. Men may also notice that there is a decreased amount of semen released during sex. This should not affect a man’s fertility, but you may want to consult your doctor if you notice any sexual changes.
• Changes in breast tissue: Some men report lumps in the breast when taking finasteride. They may also experience nipple discharge, breast enlargement, and tenderness or pain in the breasts.
• Urological changes: Pain in the testicles is another side effect that may occur in Propecia users. If you notice an inability or difficulty urinating, talk to your doctor. [3]

All in all, your doctor prescribed this to you because the benefits of the medication outweighed the cons, but if side effects persist, make sure to inform your doctor. Propecia can be found at discount prices on Canada Pharmacy Depot. Visit today to start saving on your hair loss treatments. 

The content provided in this article is based on thorough research and in some cases, reviewed by a medical professional. Our goal for the information is to provide helpful, general health informational. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice.