| The drug propecia is a prescription hair loss | | | | long term use.Disadvantages of Taking |
| medication designed mainly for men with mild to | | | | PropeciaPropecia is not a cure for hair loss. |
| moderate hair loss. The effects of hair loss and | | | | Propecia works by interrupting the conversion |
| propecia were studied in several clinical trials, and | | | | process of testosterone to its metabolite, |
| propecia was found to be better than a | | | | dihydrotestosterone (DHT for short). It does this |
| placebo.The men in the studies, aged between 18 | | | | by effecting the enzyme catalyst, 5-alpha |
| and 41, took propecia daily for a year. Some men | | | | reductase, that is involved in the conversion |
| took a placebo. Of the men who took the | | | | process. In male pattern hair loss, there is an |
| propecia, 86% either did not suffer further hair | | | | excess of DHT in the part of the scalp where hair |
| loss, or actually increased the amount of hair in | | | | loss occurs. So, by reducing the amounts of DHT |
| the affected areas. Only 14% of men had | | | | in the scalp, propecia effectively works to |
| continued hair loss.The drug propecia has been | | | | prevent new hair loss, and allows hair to regrow. |
| found to be ineffective for women. This, | | | | However, to continue the benefits of propecia, |
| combined with the potential danger of | | | | you'll need to take it for the rest of your life. |
| abnormalities to a male fetus, means that | | | | Once you stop taking propecia, the DHT levels will |
| propecia is not prescribed for female pattern hair | | | | rise again in the scalp, and hair loss will return to |
| loss. Propecia has not been studied in older men, | | | | pre-propecia levels.The Drug Propecia and |
| or men with complete baldness, and it has not | | | | PregnancyWomen should be very careful not to |
| been proved to work with a receding hairline. | | | | handle propecia if they are pregnant, as it can |
| Propecia is not suitable for children, no doubt due | | | | affect the development of the sex organs in a |
| to its negative effect on developing male | | | | male fetus. So, it would be wise not to touch any |
| genitals.Generally, propecia is a very safe drug for | | | | open packets, or broken tablets. If you must, use |
| hair loss. Most men taking it did not have any side | | | | a glove. Unbroken tablets are safety coated, so |
| effects, though some reported:* erection | | | | the active ingredient of propecia, which is the |
| difficulties* reduced amount of semen* less | | | | potential problem, is not present on the outside of |
| sexual desireThese were not permanent changes, | | | | the tablet.For men taking propecia, if your wife is |
| and when those affected stopped taking propecia, | | | | pregnant, there is no risk to her unless she is |
| their symptoms disappeared. Some men who | | | | exposed to the active ingredient from a broken |
| reported these side effects were also able to | | | | tablet. She, or the baby, won't be harmed when |
| continue taking propecia without the side effects | | | | her partner is taking it.However, given that in |
| continuing. The report I saw did not say whether | | | | some men propecia affects the amount of |
| the side effects just stopped, or if other | | | | semen produced, if you are trying to conceive |
| treatment was undertaken to counteract | | | | this may pose a problem. This side effect does |
| them.The drug propecia has only been studied on | | | | not affect all, or most, men. But check with your |
| men for up to two years, and these men had no | | | | doctor if you think this may be a |
| problems taking it for this period. However, based | | | | concern.References:1. medsafe.govt.nz/consumers |
| on research over a period of 32 years on men | | | | cmi/p/propecia.htm2. dermnetnz.org/treatments |
| who are deficient on the enzyme that propecia | | | | finasteride.htmlRebecca Prescott reviews |
| suppresses, 5-alpha reductase, the mechanism by | | | | non-prescription hair growth products here. |
| which propecia works seems to be quite safe for | | | | |