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Propecia/Finasteride
Propecia, otherwise know and Finasteride, is a licensed drug specifically used to treat hair loss and male pattern baldness. It comes in the form of a 1mg tablet. This drug treatment is only suitable for men.
How does it work?
It is medically known that the gradual thinning of successive hair and the eventual loss of hair on the scalp in men can be caused by the action of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Propecia works by inhibiting Type II 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT, in doing so it reduces the level of DHT in the scalp which can shorten the hair growth cycle and allows hairs to revert back to a normal growth cycle.
Clinical Trials conducted on thousands of men have shown that after 2 years of use 66% of men showed increased hair growth. 30% of men showed a slight improvement, 31% moderate improvement and 5% great increase. 83% of men in the trial showed no further hair loss.
How often do I take it?
Propecia tablets are to be taken once daily. It is important to use continuously for 3-6 months before results are evident.
Are there any side effects?
Propecia is very well tolerated in men, however a small proportion of patients do suffer some side effects. These can include headaches, allergic reaction, impotency and decrease in libido. These are however, often temporary and resolve when medication is stopped. Official figures show that only 2% of men experience any side effects.