Finasteride, also known under the brand name Propecia, is a well known cure for hair loss, and has been available on prescription at the pharmacy for a long time now. Finasteride inhibits the production of the hormone DHT, which attacks the hair follicles. This medication needs to be used continuously in order to maintain the achieved results. Nowadays, there are a lot of users who have been using Finasteride for over 10 years. Research has been done to find out the long-term effects of finasteride. In this blog article, we will discuss the results of this research.
Finasteride and Propecia are prescription-only—consult your doctor before use
Finasteride, also known under the brand name Propecia, is a well known cure for hair loss, and has been available on prescription at the pharmacy for a long time now. Finasteride inhibits the production of the hormone DHT, which attacks the hair follicles. This medication needs to be used continuously in order to maintain the achieved results. Nowadays, there are a lot of users who have been using Finasteride for over 10 years. Research has been done to find out the long-term effects of finasteride. In this blog article, we will discuss the results of this research.
Finasteride and Propecia are prescription-only—consult your doctor before use
Male pattern baldness, also called androgenetic alopecia (AGA), is a type of hair loss caused by genetics. AGA is characterized by visible loss of hair on the scalp in men, sometimes this pattern occurs in hair loss in women. The hair loss is caused by shrinking hair follicles. This causes the hair to remain in the anagen and growth phase for a shorter period of time.
In a study, 118 healthy men between the ages of 20 and 61 years old suffering from hair loss (between Norwood scale II and V) have been selected. None of the men have previously made use of any products to stimulate hair growth. Over a period of 10 years, all men were given 1 mg of finasteride. The results were determined by making a macro picture prior to the use of finasteride and after 1, 2, 5 and 10 years after the use of finasteride. The photos were analysed by the same experts, each time.
Photos before the use of finasteride (A) and after 10 years of using finasteride (B).
The main results:
Finasteride appears to be a safe and effective treatment against hereditary hair loss in male pattern baldness
Finasteride is also effective in men above 40 years of age
The effect is strongest at the crown. It is less visible at the widow's peak
Most users experience no serious side effects. The most common side effects are decreased sperm production and erectile dysfunction
The effect of finasteride does not decrease over time, after 10 years of use, the hair is on average thicker than at the start of the treatment
The result after one year of use can help in predicting the effectiveness of finasteride
Finasteride and Propecia are drugs that are only available on prescription. It can only be prescribed to men. Consult your doctor before using Finasteride/Propecia.
Possible finasteride side effects
As indicated earlier, there is a risk of side effects when using finasteride, mentioned in the study cited.
Rare (in 1 to 10 in 100 people) Sexual problems such as: decreased libido, erection problems, ejaculation problems.
Very rarely (in less than 1 in 100 people) Palpitations, depressive feelings and hypersensitivity such as skin rashes.
The side effects generally stop even after treatment stops.
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Prostate enlargement is a condition where your doctor will do a test on you that shows whether a large amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is present in the prostate. Finasteride lowers the amount of this PSA by about half, so the test may be lower than the actual values without the use of finasteride. Therefore, always tell your doctor that you are using finasteride when you are having your prostate examined.
Alternatives to Finasteride
As mentioned in the text above, Finasteride can have unpleasant side effects. While it is an effective drug and the majority of users do not experience serious side effects, there are alternatives to Finasteride that have the same effect and are developed from natural ingredients. Neofollics' hair growth supporting tablets contain an effective combination of only the best natural ingredients, designed to stimulate healthy hair growth from within. Like Finasteride, Neofollics tablets contain ingredients that counteract DHT. They also contain a wide range of amino acids, minerals, and vitamins that are essential for healthy hair growth.
Finasteride is a medication that reduces hair loss by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). By lowering DHT levels, finasteride helps prevent hair follicle miniaturization, which is the primary cause of androgenetic alopecia.
Visible results typically take 3–6 months of consistent use, with maximum benefits often seen after 12 months. Finasteride needs to be taken daily for continued effectiveness, as stopping it may reverse the progress.
Finasteride is generally not recommended for women, especially those who are pregnant or may become pregnant, as it can cause birth defects. Some doctors may prescribe it off-label for postmenopausal women, but this use requires close monitoring and a clear understanding of the risks.
Common side effects include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and reduced ejaculatory volume, occurring in about 1-3% of users. These side effects are usually reversible upon discontinuation, but some users report persistent symptoms.
Yes, finasteride is often combined with other treatments like minoxidil and ketoconazole shampoo. This combination may enhance results by addressing hair loss from multiple angles.
