Side Effects of Propecia
Oral Finasteride is a drug manufactured by Merck for hair loss. It has been shown to be effective for patients who have male pattern balding. It acts by stopping the action of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme facilitates the conversion of the hormone testosterone to its metabolite DHT or dihydrotestosterone.
Because Finasteride or Propecia interferes with hormonal processes, the side effects people may experience while taking this drug are also associated with the physiologic functions of testosterone. For instance, as many as 18.1% of men taking Propecia experienced erectile dysfunction or impotence. Around 7.2% experienced abnormal ejaculation and about 2.2% experienced enlargement of the breasts or gynecomastia. There have also been reports of testicular pain. However, many side effects disappear after ceasing Propecia treatment.
In late 2010, Merck recognized that Propecia may have depression as a side effect. Difficulty obtaining an erection is also a possible side effect of the drug and it may persist even after its discontinuation. Another adverse effect is an increased risk of male breast cancer. These possible effects have been added to the labelling of the drug to warn consumers.
Finasteride should not be used by women. It belongs to the FDA pregnancy category X, which indicates that it can cause birth defects in a fetus. Therefore, women, particularly those who are considering pregnancy or who are already pregnant, should avoid this drug.
Propecia for Baldness
Hair loss or baldness is a big challenge for both men and women. This is the reason why the development of the drug Propecia gained a lot of interest. It is a drug manufactured by Merck. Initially approved for benign prostatic hyperplasia in 1992, its use for hair loss became apparent later on, for which it was approved in 1997.
Propecia has the generic name Finasteride. It is a drug that works by inhibiting an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme catalyzes the conversion of the hormone testosterone to the metabolite dihydrotestosterone or DHT. DHT is responsible for hormonal hair loss. Therefore, the inhibition of its production helps preserve normal hair distribution and prevent hair loss.
To buy Propecia online in another form, one can also ask for Proscar. Proscar is the trade name of Finasteride used for benign prostatic hyperplasia. One (1) milligram of Finasteride is present in Propecia while 5 milligrams are present in Proscar. One can also buy Propecia online in generic forms. One such generic drug is called Finpecia. It is just as effective as the branded form but it is less expensive.
A study of males with mild to moderate hair loss who took Propecia revealed that approximately 48% had visible hair regrowth while another 42% had no further hair loss. This drug is effective with continued use. Its benefits on hair loss are lost within 6 to 12 months of stopping its use.
Types and Treatments of Hair Loss
Unlike other mammals, humans gain a relatively small insulating and protective benefit from hair.
However, hair has a very important role in social interactions. A head full of hair considerably lends more confidence and more aesthetic value. Therefore, hair loss usually leads to psycho-emotional distress.
Male pattern hair loss and female pattern hair loss are the two most common kinds of hair loss. Male balding or male androgenetic alopecia is genetically determined, androgen-dependent, and age-dependent. By age of 70, about 80% of men have some degree of balding.
In some studies, it has been shown that there is an association between balding and insulin-linked diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. Based on an autopsy study, it has also been shown that baldness occurs more frequently among people with cardiovascular disease. However, the exact mechanisms of these associations are not yet known.
Because society puts a high premium on hair, many people want to have hair loss treated. For males, two drugs are FDA-approved. These drugs are topical minoxidil solution or TMS and oral finasteride or Propecia.
Propecia should be taken 1 mg daily for prevention of hair loss and improvement of hair growth. Effects are lost within 12 months if it is discontinued. The 5% TMS solution or foam should be used twice daily for continuous periods since the benefits of increased hair counts and quality are lost within 4-6 months of treatment cessation. TMS and finasteride can be used in combination. If these do not work, men may opt for surgery or hair transplantation, which is the most effective means for restoring frontal hair loss.
Hair Loss Treatments – don’t suffer in silence
Hair loss is a condition that can affect all peoples, irrespective of location or ethnicity. While hair loss may not be a life-threatening condition, it can cause a perceived social awkwardness and a lowered confidence in one’s physical appearance or attractiveness.
Causes
Hair loss has several causes and in spite of several studies, no single leading cause has been identified. It may be caused by heredity, diet, hormonal imbalance, physical trauma or exposure to pollution. Other causes of hair loss include exposure to stress, reaction to medication and in women, childbirth. Men and women may also suffer from androgenic alopecia. This is male or female pattern baldness, also known as ‘common’ baldness.
DHT or dihydrotestosterone is an important chemical which enables the development of male secondary sex characteristics such as genitalia, body hair and pubic hair. A change in the concentration of this chemical will cause hair loss. Therefore, the key to arresting hair loss is in the control of DHT.
Treatment
Doctors prescribe different treatments depending on the cause of the hair loss. Some advise the use of hairpieces and others recommend treatments such as hair weaving and bonding. While some medical professionals prescribe a change in diet and exercise as a common remedy, other physicians may also prescribe hormone therapy. Doctors sometimes prescribe Propecia for hair loss. Propecia is a drug which regulates DHT and helps hair growth. Being a prescription drug, consumers may buy propecia today only with a doctor’s prescription. The manufacturer’s website allows consumers to find information about discounts on Propecia.
Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss
Hair loss is a significant problem for both men and women because of the value of hair perceived by society. Male pattern balding usually includes recession of the frontal hair line and hair loss of the scalp vertex or crown. These features may occur together, eventually resulting to a rim of normal hair growth localized to the sides and back of the scalp. In female pattern hair loss, the process is more diffuse. Usually, the frontal hair line is preserved but the hairs on the crown and the frontal scalp become sparse.
Treatments for androgenetic hair loss vary among men and women. Minoxidil or Rogaine and oral finasteride or Propecia are approved medical treatments for men. The mechanism of action of Minoxidil is not yet known. On the other hand, it is known that finasteride inhibits an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase, which is responsible for the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone or DHT.
DHT is the main androgen responsible for hair loss in men. Minoxidil has to be applied twice a day while a 1 mg tablet of Propecia has to be taken daily. These drugs can be used in combination. Non-cessation of treatment is important in order to gain maximum benefits.
For women, minoxidil, anti-androgens, and topical estrogens may be used. The effectiveness of oral anti-androgens such as spironolactone and cyproterone acetate is still being debated. Topical estrogens like estradiol benzoate may be used to counteract hair loss in women. Oral finasteride may be effective in a selective group of women who have hyperandrogenism. Among women who are taking spironolactone and finasteride, contraceptive measures should be taken to avoid feminizing a male fetus.
Treating Hair Loss with Finasteride
Finasteride, also known as Propecia, is a drug approved by the U.S. FDA for male pattern hair loss. It works by stopping the action of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme is responsible for the conversion of testosterone to the powerful metabolite called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). When DHT acts on hair follicles, they become brittle and prone to falling off, leading to hair loss.
Approved in 1997 for hair loss, Finasteride has actually been in use since 1992 for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). While dosages of 5 milligrams and greater are needed for BPH, only about 1 milligram daily is needed for hair loss. One can buy Propecia online or from the local pharmacy. One can also buy Propecia online in its cheaper forms by asking for generic formulations like Finpecia.
To benefit from this drug, it is important that its use is consistent. A single 1 mg pill should be taken daily and skipping or missing doses should be avoided. Hair shedding during its use is actually a sign that it is working. After inducing shedding, Propecia gives rise to healthier and stronger hair. Results can be expected after 6 to 12 months of continued and consistent use.
For men who have dandruff, it is best to use an anti-dandruff shampoo such as Nizoral while using Finasteride. Anti-dandruff shampoos help keep the scalp in a non-itchy and non-inflamed state. This facilitates the growth of hair and helps prevent unnecessary hair breakage brought about by scratching the scalp.
What is Male Androgenetic Alopecia?
Hair is a unique structure found only in mammals. Initially, its role was to serve as an insulator and a protective covering against the elements. In time, human hair became less of an insulator and more of an appendage of social interaction. This is why hair loss, medically known as effluvium or alopecia, can lead to psychological and emotional distress and diminished quality of life.
More commonly known as male balding, male pattern hair loss or male androgenetic alopecia is a genetic trait. It results from a decrease in circulating androgens, particularly the metabolite of testosterone called dihydrostestosterone (DHT). Balding becomes more severe with increasing age.
Two major features of male balding are recession of the frontal hairline and balding of the vertex of the scalp. Most Caucasian males eventually develop a recession of the hairline above the forehead after puberty. Most Asian men and approximately 5% of Caucasian men experience hair loss over the crown, with retention of the frontal hairline. Balding usually starts with the hair becoming progressively shorter and finer. Eventually, they either show a decrease in density or they disappear completely.
Two drugs are approved for hair loss treatment. The first one is Minoxidil, which can improve hair count, weight and distribution in up to 60% of balding males. However, it does not work on frontotemporal hair loss. The second one is Finasteride or Propecia. When 1 mg of Propecia is taken daily, it is able to prevent hair loss in most males. It is able to lead to hair improvement when taken for 2 years but its benefits are lost after 12 months of discontinuation of treatment.
Treatment of Male Pattern Balding
Male pattern balding or male androgenetic alopecia is experienced by about 80% of males when they reach 70 years of age. Among Caucasian men, almost all develop some degree of hairline recession in the frontal and temporal regions as soon as puberty ends. On the other hand, Asian men who experience hair loss usually experience it over the crown and frontal scalp, with preservation of frontal hair.
Although the distribution may be different, all types of male pattern balding are dependent on the concentration of dihydrotestosterone, a metabolite of testosterone. Two drugs have been approved for male hair loss treatment: Minoxidil and Finasteride. Minoxidil or Rogaine is effective in vertex or crown balding but its mechanism of action is unknown. Finasteride or Propecia is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor that stops the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone or DHT. As such, it is considered a good drug for men who are genetically predisposed to balding.
For treatment of hair loss, one can buy Propecia online or from the local pharmacy. Daily intake of a 1 milligram tablet prevents further hair loss. It also promotes hair growth in a significant number of men. One should continue to buy Propecia online or from pharmacy and take the drug for at least 3 to 6 months to benefit from this drug.
Continued treatment is needed to sustain its benefits. Predictable side effects include diminished libido and problems in ejaculation or erection. However, these often resolve in a majority of men who continue treatment and in all men who discontinue treatment.
Hair Loss Help
Hair loss is more common amongst men than it is women, but it still remains a concern for a large population of aging females. The cause of hair loss can be confusing as many mixed messages are being sent to unsuspecting consumers who suffer from various levels of baldness by manufacturers of hair loss products.
Although hair mistreatment may play a part in hair loss, generally genetics is a key factor when it comes to the thinning process. Treating hair loss is more effective when one understands why it happens in the first place. The actual reasons for hair loss in men and women may be surprising to say the least.
General hair loss or shedding is normal. All hair grows through cycles, eventually shedding older hair and replacing it with newer hair. This process is repeated for our entire lives. When hair in certain parts of the head stop repeating the new growth cycle, a pattern of baldness or hair loss begins. This lack of new hair growth, called androgenic alopecia, is caused when some hair follicles live for shorter periods than others.
This is the condition that is responsible for approximately 95 per cent of the baldness or hair loss that both men and women experience. Medicines such as Propecia are designed specifically for those with inherited hair loss issues. Because this type of hair loss is usually due to aging, treatments require effort and patience.
Additional causes of hair loss are alopecia areata, which is a side effect of an immune system disorder. Stress can play a factor and can lead to telogen effluvium, a slowing of new hair growth. Anagen effluvium, which is a sudden loss of hair, can also be onset from things such as radiotherapy, prescription drugs or chemotherapy.
Hair Loss Explained
As the years progress many men find that their hair, that was once thick and luxurious, starts to thin out. There are some that will take this hair thinning or loss in their stride, after all Sir Sean Connery and Patrick Stewart are regularly listed in the list of the world’s top sexiest men.
However, for others, hair loss or thinning affects their self-esteem and can lead to depression. In the old days men tried to disguise their embarrassment by wearing highly visible wigs and hairpieces, or more recently using hair implants. Now, though, there is a more discreet and effective solution to hair thinning and loss. Men can now buy medication that can treat their hair loss if they consider it to be a problem.
Propecia is one of the treatments that may be effective in the prevention of hair loss. The drug works by stopping testosterone, the hormone responsible for male body hair, and changes its chemical compound.
Any man considering taking a course of Propecia should first consult their local doctor if they have any health problems – particularly liver, bladder or urine problems or prostate cancer.
A man needs to take a course of Propecia continuously for three months before he begins to see any change. Treatment should then be continued or any beneficial hair growth will disappear.
If a man takes a course of the drug continuously for 12 months and sees no change in his condition then he should stop the treatment, as Propecia is not going to be successful.