The Drug Propecia and Hair Loss

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