All About Finasteride

Finasteride

Even though modern medical treatments have significantly improved in this era, hair loss and baldness keep becoming a nightmare for most men and women. Latest studies showed that %70 of men and % 45 of women are affected by hair loss caused by hormones (Androgenetic Alopecia). Hair transplantation started to give better results, but it is still impossible to make hair look like before in the case of progressive hair loss. The Smile Hair Clinic team emphasizes the importance of protecting existing hair.

There are two medicines whose impacts are proven by doctors for the treatment of hair loss and strengthening. 

Those are Minoxidil and Finasteride.

In the beginning, Minoxidil is first used for stabilizing blood pressure. Then scientists detected that it has an impact of reversing hair loss and increasing density. It is also known that the hair becomes worse if patients stop using it. 

On the other hand, Finasteride was first used for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia in 1992; then, the FDA approved its use for hair loss. 

What are the effects of Finasteride?

Finasteride inhibits subtype II of the enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. This enzyme is responsible for converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). When DHT stimulates hair growth, it also initially conveys thinning of the hair and causes hair loss. Using Finasteride prevents thinning by thickening the hair, and thus, it also prevents baldness.

What are the side effects of Finasteride?

The side-effects of Finasteride that are frequently seen are:

• Straining an erection or maintaining it. 
• Depression or melancholic mood 
• Ache on testicles 
• Decrease of libido (decrease of sexual desire)
• Straining on ejaculate, decrease in sperm quantity

Those side effects tend to decrease with time. It is necessary to become patient without panicking.

Rarely seen side effects of Finasteride:

• Breast enlargement (gynecomastia), swelling, and discharge
• Allergic reactions

Can women use Finasteride?

The FDA did not approve Finasteride use for women and did not signify a dosage. Therewithal, studies investigating women before and after menopause showed an obvious benefit of Finasteride usage for women who suffer from hormone-based hair loss (Androgenetic Alopecia). The dose for Finasteride in those studies is 1- 1.25 mg. 

The women who use Finasteride must also use birth control methods at these times. Finasteride is teratogenic (the name given to drugs that affect embryonic development and cause various anomalies in the baby).

Pregnant women must even avoid touching the Finasteride tablet. When touching the pill, they should immediately wash their hands with soup. After that, the baby must be closely followed up by doctors.

The man who has a pregnant wife must use condoms if they use Finasteride because Finasteride passes on semen, even if it is just a low dose. 

How can we use Finasteride?

Finasteride Tablet

Some tablets have 1 mg or 5 mg of Finasteride active ingredient. The cost of 5 mg tablets is lower; therefore, they are usually preferable. One 5 mg tablet splits into four equal pieces, and one piece (1.25 mg) can be used daily. Some patients prefer to use 1 mg tablets once a day.

Finasteride Spray  (Topical Finasteride)

Finasteride can be applied to the scalp as a spray or gel, which includes %25 Finasteride and %2 Minoxidil. Several studies revealed that this method decreases DHT levels and side effects in the scalp and plasma. It has a huge plus from the tablets that side effects are much rare then tablets. It is expected that this method will get approval from the FDA soon.