It is a medicines that prevents hair loss, ensures its protection, and allows hair strands that have become thinner to reach their former thickness. Research shows that 70% of men and 45% of women have hair loss due to hormones (Androgenetic Alopecia). Although the hair transplantation operation is now more successful than before, unfortunately it has progressed.
In case of hair loss, it is not always possible to return the hair to its previous state. Doctor Greft Hair Clinic experts emphasize the importance of protecting existing hair and preventive treatment.
In the medical treatment of protecting our existing hair without losing it and restoring thinned hair to its former thickness, doctors have two proven medicines.
The first of these is finasteride and the second is minoxidil.
Minoxidil was first used to regulate blood pressure. It was later found to reverse hair loss and increase hair density. The mechanism of action of minoxidil is still unknown, and users report that when it is stopped, the hair may become worse than before.
The first years of use of Finasteride were in 1992 for benign prostatic hyperplasia. After its effect on the hair, the FDA approved it for use in the treatment of hair loss and it is still actively used today.
How Does Finasteride Work?
While DHT has a supportive effect on the growth of hair throughout the body, it causes the hair on the scalp to first thin and then fall out. Finasteride inhibits the testosterone hormone, affecting its conversion to DHT. For this reason, after the use of finasteride, the thinned hair becomes thicker and the hair that will fall out is prevented, thus preventing baldness.
Finasteride Side Effects
most common side effects :
- Decrease of libido
- Difficulty in erection or inability to maintain erection
- Straining on ejaculate, decrease in sperm quantity
- Ache on testicles
- Depression or melancholic mood
These side effects tend to decrease over time. It may be necessary to be patient without panicking. Rare side effects of finasteride:
- Breast enlargement (gynecomastia), swelling and discharge
- allergic reactions
Who Can’t Use Finasteride?
- We do not recommend women use finasteride. Finasteride is teratogenic (It affects embryonic development and causes various anomalies in the baby.). It is dangerous for pregnant women to even touch it. If you have sexual intercourse with a man who uses finasteride, you should definitely use a condom.
- It is also not suitable for young men under 18 years of age.
- If you need to have a blood test to check for prostate cancer, a test called prostate specific antigen, or PSA, it is recommended that you stop using Finasteride temporarily. Finasteride may affect results and it is best to talk to your doctor if this applies to you.
You should ask your doctor whether you can use finasteride and everything about its dosage.