Why is Propecia an effective pill for male pattern hair loss?
Most men with premature hair loss are genetically predisposed to androgenetic alopecia – a condition that is commonly known as male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness occurs because of the effects of testosterone-the primary male sex hormone- on your hair follicles. This hormone is present in high amounts in your body after puberty, and is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) because of the action of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. DHT works on he hormone receptors present in your hair follicles and slows the production of scalp hair. This results into hair which is shorter and weaker than normal, and sometimes your hair will stop growing completely. This gradual process will eventually results into total or partial baldness.
Stages of male patten hair loss
The onset of androgenetic alopecia usually begins at the end of puberty and is usually determined by your genetic inheritance.
Most men start experiencing hair loss during their late 20s or early 30s. Hair loss initially occurs as a receding hairline and gradually progresses to thinning hair at the top of the head. Finally both areas will converge to form a U shape around the sides and back of the head. The remaining hair, if any, becomes finer in texture and the growth rate slows down. Moderate hair loss that occurs due to hormonal causes affects most men by age 50. This hormonal condition can be hereditary in nature.
What is Propecia?
Propecia (active ingredient finasteride) is a popular prescription pill used in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. This clinically tested medication has been proven to prevent further hair loss and to promote hair growth in about 80% cases. Propecia is quite suitable for long term treatment in most cases of androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride, the active ingredient present in Propecia, helps in the reduction of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in the scalps of genetically predisposed men.
How does Propecia work?
As testosterone is converted to DHT because of the action of 5-alpha reductase, finasteride blocks the action of this enzyme and lowers DHT levels in the scalp. This reduces the negative effect of DHT on the hair follicles and prevents or even reverses hair loss. Finasteride has been reported to reduce DHT levels by about 60%. Treatment with Propecia must be continued for about 3-6 months for optimum benefits.
Possible side effects of Propecia
Like other drugs, Propecia too can produce side effects your body, which might include sexual problems such as temporary impotence and low libido. But most of these side effects are temporary in nature and usually disappear without treatment. Pregnant women, in particular, need to avoid any kind of contact with finasteride, as it is known to cause birth defects in an the male foetus. It is advisable to follow your doctor’s instructions while taking this hair loss medication. Propecia has been specifically formulated to treat the symptoms of pattern baldness in men. It cannot be taken by women with female pattern baldness, nor can it be prescribed for men who experience hair loss because of cancer or chemotherapy.
Propecia An Effective Pill For Male Pattern Hair Loss
Baldness is a very common problem affecting both men and women in the world , at a truly alarming rate. Male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss in men. It usually follows a typical pattern of receding hairline and hair thinning on the crown, and is caused by hormones and genetic predisposition. Baldness effects the emotional as well as the physical wellbeing witch affects a persons self-confidence and also can cause depression with the sufferer.
Causes Of Male Pattern Hair Loss
Male pattern hair loss is an inherited condition, caused by a genetically determined sensitivity to the effects of dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. DHT has an adverse affect on the hair follicles. Acting on a hormone receptor on the hair follicle it slows down hair production and produces weak, shorter hair, sometimes it stops hair growth from the follicle completely. This process gradually depletes your stock of hair and is normal hair loss.
Generic Medication for Male Pattern Hair Loss
Propecia is the first and only FDA-approved pill proven to treat male pattern hair loss in men. Propecia (active ingredient finasteride) is a popular prescription pill used in the male pattern treatment. It has been clinically proven that Propecia successfully puts an end to hair loss and significantly increased the density of hair in the affected areas. Finasteride, the active ingredient present in Propecia, helps in the reduction of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in the scalps of genetically predisposed men. Propecia blocks the formation of DHT and, in this way, appears to interrupt the development of male pattern hair loss. It helps reduce further hair loss and regrow visible hair. Propecia is for the treatment of male pattern hair loss in MEN ONLY and should NOT be used by women or children.
Side Effects of Propecia
Propecia is generally known to be a recommended and very safe medicine for the treatment of male pattern hair loss and very few people have reported its side effects. Some of the lesser reported Propecia side effects reported are a dizziness, weakness, headache, skin rash, runny nose, decreased libido or sex drive, erectile dysfunction and decrease in the ejaculate amount or semen. These were not permanent changes, and when those affected discontinued the use of Propecia, their symptoms disappeared.
48% of Women at One Point Suffer Hairloss
A massive 48 percent of women claim that they are or have at one point suffered from hair loss. A recent study reveals that hair loss is linked with stress and 42% of them say that this stress is completely unavoidable. The top causes of said stress were ranked in order of the effect that they had on one’s life. Stress was the number one cases at 53%, hair loss was due to age was diagnosed for 23% of the women, 20% of women who were post birth, 13% for dieters and 17% attributed to hair styling. Many of the problems associated with hair loss are caused stress as it damages the immune system which breaks down as a result of our poor nutritional intake. Poor nutrition means dull, lifeless and brittle hair which will be prone to fall out especially where heavy amounts of styling are involved.
Stress also causes the release of chemicals which transmit messages to the follicles of the hair after which they enter the resting phase. The longer the hair remains at this resting phase the more likely the hair is to fall out.
It is tough when women start to lose their hair. Women do not have options such as Finasteride (sold as Propecia) for men because the drug is known to cause birth defects in the unborn babies of pregnant women. It is hard to imagine coping with hair loss especially as a woman. Women spend on average 600 pounds per year on the maintenance of their hair. Some types of hair loss cannot be avoided but there are some things that can help like the right kind of nutrition. It is thought sipping caffeine is good for the slowing of baldness. Over styling and harsh products are thought to be a great source of damage for hair so avoiding styling a few days per week would be preferable. Eating lean protein is good for the keratin of the hair (hair is mostly made up of this stuff). Women should not even touch Propecia or be anywhere near the drug.
How can men prevent hair loss or baldness within few weeks?
Many men are suffering from hair problems, such as – baldness, excess hair fall, less growth of the hair, thin hair etc. So, they keep on trying different kinds of medicines which may be in different forms, such as – tablets, powder, shampoos, hair oil etc. But there is something very effective boon named as – Propecia which is an androgen hormone inhibitor. It is used to treat hair loss pattern in MEN only.
The dose of Propecia Finasteride differs for every individual. Follow your doctor’s prescriptions or the directions that are mentioned on the label strictly. Below, here is the following information which includes only the average dose of finasteride. But if your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor allows you to do so.
For oral dosage form tablets: For treatment of prostatic hyperplasia BPH – Adults can consume 5 mg once a day. And For hair growth treatment t Adults can consume 1 mg once a day. But it’s better if you consult your doctor even on this prescription.
You may know that – DHT is a hormone that forms on the scalp when testosterone and enzyme type II 5-a reductase react with each other. So, Propecia works effectively as it contains the active ingredient Finasteride, a type II 5-a reductase drug which inhibits the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body.
The produced sex hormone (DHT) is a key cause in hair loss, which constricts the visible hair follicles and reduces the visibility of them. After buying Propecia (finasteride) and starting the treatment, the overall DHT levels stabilize and remain low enough such that the adverse effects of DHT on the follicles stop. This results in the reversal process of the hair loss problem. In this way, Propecia is very effective medicine for the hair treatment.
Propecia is generally known to be a very safe and recommended medicine for the treatment of male pattern hair loss. But still some side effects may occur as every patient is different. Even some people who do notice any side effects admit that sense some mild side effects. Some of these side effects reported are – Headache, Weakness, Dizziness, Skin Rashes, Cold i.e. is Runny Nose, Decreased Sex Life or Libido, Decrease in the Ejaculate Amount or Semen and Erectile Dysfunction. However, these side effects were not permanent, and when those affected with these ones, when discontinued the use of Propecia, have noticed that their symptoms disappeared.
Inform your doctor in case you notice any lesser noticed and reported but serious symptoms like Testicular Pain, Enlargement, Retention or Breast Tenderness. If these mentioned symptoms sound bothersome to you, please consult your doctor as soon as possible.
A double dose should not be taken at any cost in-case you miss a dose. But instead, you may take the missed dose as soon as you remember. And, if it is almost the time of your next dose for the day, please skip the missed dose and continue to your particular required dose.
Always ensure that children are kept out of reach of Propecia. It is to be stored away from heat and direct light. Keep Propecia at room temperature away from moisture, sunlight as well as damp places. Because heat and moisture can cause breakdown of this medication. Discard all unused medication properly by consulting with your pharmacist regarding safe disposal methods of the medicines.
If you are taking some another medicine along with Propecia, please let your doctor know about your both medicines intake. This is necessary as two different medicines may interact in a negative or positive manner and your doctor will need to make necessary adjustments in your treatment accordingly.
Without consulting your doctor do not stop this medicine. Because you can get many benefits as long as you continue the treatment by consuming Propecia. Once you stop consuming Propecia, the DHT levels will rise again in the scalp and hair loss will return to pre-Propecia levels as before.
Women who are or are willing to become pregnant should not consume Propecia Finasteride or Generic Propecia. Women should not be even exposed to the crushed or broken tablets, because it can cause some serious changes in the genitals sex organs of male fetus. Inform your doctor as soon as possible of any side effects or allergies or unusual changes you encounter while using Propecia.
Do not share this drug with others. Propecia may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medicinal guide.
Finasteride Results: Five-Year Test Results Encouraging
The drug finasteride (Propecia) was originally used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition commonly known as enlarged prostate.
It was noticed that men who were taking finasteride were also experiencing regrowth of hair. In a study that spanned five years, it was discovered that men who took 1 mg daily of finasteride (Propecia) grew more hair every day as proven by measurement of hair growth through hair counts.
By contrast, those who did not take this medication, lost hair. Photographs taken during the study were reviewed by dermatologists who discovered that hair regrowth was experienced by 48% of those treated with Propecia, and additionally 42% in that same group experienced no further hair loss.
During this five-year study, it was such served that the hair that grew from the use of Propecia, was lost within 6 to 12 months of discontinuing the drug.
The best results from the use of procerin or finasteride were gained by men who used the product for 18 months or more.
Procerin is a vitamin for hair loss that is specially formulated to block production of DHT, the primary cause of hair loss in men. Procerin’s benefits are greatest for younger men (18-35), and those whose hair is still in a growth phase. Men that still have growing hair experience an increase in hair count, and improvement in both hairline and thinning at the crown of the their head. Men often begin losing hair in their 20′s, with hair loss progressing more rapidly as they age.
It is uncertain whether Propecia (finasteride) is similarly effective in treating hair loss in women. The main reason for this is because studies, todate, have focussed on male subjects. As a safety precaution, women who are pregnant or are not on birth control measures are advised not to use Propecia, and to avoid contact with the dust from broken tablets or capsules.
If you have a fast-receding hairline, clumps of hair falling out, or simply want a thicker head of hair, you may be interested in the ingredients list, usage instructions and user reviews about finasteride.