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