NOTE: We do not offer this option at HLTCOA. We provide information about this option for educational purposes only for those who are researching all hair growth options currently available on the market today.
Pros and Cons of Finesteride or Propecia
There are two types of medications that are FDA approved to treat pattern baldness in men: androgen-dependent and androgen-independent. Androgen-dependent hair loss medications, like finasteride (the active ingredient in Propecia which is the brand name developed by Merck), work by stopping the conversion of testosterone into DHT or dihydrotestosterone (a hormone believed to contribute to male pattern baldness). During early stages of hair loss, androgen-dependent medicine typically helps increase hair growth after around three months of use.
We at the Hair Loss Treatment Center of America firmly believe in a more natural approach which does not involve changing how the body creates or effects hormone production. We believe finasteride and Propecia simply have too many potential risks.
Alternative to Propecia and Finasteride: It is imperative to protect the androgen receptor hair cells in order to sustain normal hair growth patterns and stop hair loss. This can be accomplished by simply blocking DHT from attacking onto the Androgen Receptor hair cells by utilizing Thairapy Gold – DHT Inhibiting Thairapy.
Pros of Using Finasteride or Propecia:
- Simple to use, take one tablet daily or as directed by your physician
Cons of Using Finasteride or Propecia:
- Must have a doctor’s prescription
- Varying side effects have been reported in a small percentage of men:
- Erectile dysfunction – trouble getting or keeping an erection
- Decrease in sex drive that continued even after stopping the medication
- Problems with ejaculation that continue even after stopping medication
- Testicular pain
- Male infertility and/or poor quality of semen
- Breast tenderness and enlargement
- Depression
- Allergic reactions including rash, itching, hives, and swelling of the lips and face
- In rare cases, male breast cancer
Serious Side Effects for Women:
Women of child-bearing years should not use the product finesteride or Propecia. It is recommended they not even touch the product which has been broken or crushed as it may affect the androgens of an unborn child. However, a doctor may choose to write a prescription to a woman “off label” if she is exhibiting signs of male pattern baldness and is not of child-bearing years.
A study involving 137 postmenopausal women with androgenetic alopecia who were treated with Propecia or placebo for 12 months, effectiveness could not be demonstrated. There was no improvement in hair counts, patient self-assessment, investigator assessment, or ratings of standardized photographs in the women treated with Propecia when compared with the placebo group.
Serious Side Effects for Men:
Propecia causes a decrease in serum PSA levels: Any confirmed increase in PSA while on Propecia may signal the presence of prostate cancer and should be evaluated, even if those values are still within the normal range for men not taking a 5a-reductase inhibitor.
5a-reductase inhibitors may increase the risk of high-grade prostate cancer.
Caution:
According to WebMD: Propecia can affect a blood test called PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) for the screening of prostate cancer. You should tell your healthcare provider you are taking Propecia if you have a PSA test done because Propecia decreases PSA levels.
Any increase in follow-up PSA levels from their lowest point may signal the presence of prostate cancer and should be evaluated, even if the test results are still within the normal range for men not taking Propecia . You should also tell your healthcare provider if you have not been taking Propecia as prescribed because this may also affect the PSA test results.
Alternative to Propecia and Finestride: It is imperative to protect the androgen receptor hair cells in order to sustain normal hair growth patterns and stop hair loss. This can be accomplished by simply blocking DHT from attacking onto the androgen receptor hair cells by utilizing Thairapy Gold – DHT Inhibiting Thairapy.
