How does Propecia Finasteride work ?
March 10th, 2008 adminPropecia is a prescription medication for the treatment of male pattern hair loss.
How does Propecia work?
Propecia works in the scalp affecting the conversion of testosterone
to DHT, a chemical naturally occurring in the male scalp. When the
level of DHT goes above a certain level, some of the hair follicles in
the scalp hibernate and the hair fall out.
Propecia inhibits the production of DHT, which in most men bring the
level below the hair growth threshold. As long as the patient is taking
Propecia, the level remains reduced and the hair loss is reduced or
stopped. In some cases, some of the hair even grows back.
Propecia has been studied in several tests including a 5 year clinical study which gave the following results.
- 90% of participants saw a visible improvement divided into 48% who
saw regrowth of hair and 42% who saw no further hair loss. This is
compared to 25% in a placebo control group. - In the first year of the study 86% experienced visibly more hair.
According to the clinical studies, Propecia showed very few side effects that too very rarely and did not affect most men.
A small number of men had sexual side effects, with each happening
in less than 2% of men. These include less desire for sex, difficulty
in achieving an erection, and a decrease in the amount of semen. These
side effects were reversible in nature and went away in men who stopped
taking Propecia because of these side effects. In addition, these side
effects decreased to 0.3% of men or less by the fifth year of treatment.
In common use, the following mild and less serious side effects have
been reported: allergic reactions including rash, itching, hives, and
swelling of the lips and face; problems with ejaculation; breast
tenderness and enlargement; and testicular pain. You should promptly
report to your doctor any changes in your breasts such as lumps, pain,
or nipple discharge. Tell your doctor about these or any other side
effects you experience.
Propecia is as such a very safe and effective drug, but you have to
be very careful before you take it. Like all prescription medicines,
Propecia also has side effects but they are mild and negligible.So don’t let baldness be a part of you.