Find out the truth about finasteride side effects

Propecia finasteride is an FDA-approved drug for the treatment of male pattern hair loss. This article gives you relevant information on its side effects. The information is based on clinical trials and actual patient reports.

Male hair loss treatment has evolved a great deal from traditional times. Earlier, men had only a few options to conceal their baldness; wigs, hats or maybe some ingenious 'comb over' techniques were all that you could possibly rely on to hide your condition. But with advancement in medical sciences, you can now prevent and even trigger hair regrowth. If you are suffering from male pattern baldness, the most common type of male hair loss, you can try Propecia finasteride to make sure you retain your locks. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved finasteride as a safe drug to treat the hormonal factors that often lead to male pattern hair loss. But there are still concerns over its side effects. It is important for you to find out how this medicine works before you can understand its potentially harmful secondary effects.

How does finasteride work?
Concerns over finasteride side effects generate from its working mechanism. This hair loss treatment works by correcting the imbalance of a secondary male sex hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone is a derivative of one of the primary male sex hormones known as testosterone. An enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase acting as a catalyst, decrease in the total amount of testosterone can trigger this type of hair loss. 5-alpha-reductase usually converts free testosterone to DHT, causing increase of androgenic hormones in the scalp. Finasteride can counter this increase by inhibiting the formation of DHT in your scalp.

What causes the side effects?
It is because of the inhibitory action of Propecia finasteride that you may experience some of its side effects. The commonly reported finasteride side effects include itching, rash, allergies, hives and swelling of the face and lips. In rare cases, men taking Propecia for the treatment of male pattern baldness have experienced sexual side effects such as pain in the testes, ejaculatory problems, and erectile difficulties. Some men have also reported breast problems such as nipple discharge, tenderness or enlargement; low semen volume and decreased libido. But don't get panicky, for there is good news for you.

Finasteride side effects may be harmful, but they usually go away after you stop taking the drug
Results from clinical trials have shown that sexual side effects caused by finasteride can affect only 2 out of 100 men. And those who experienced such side effects got immediate relief after they stopped taking Propecia. Also, only 3 out of 1000 men experienced low sexual desire or erection problems after they continued using finasteride for 5 years. In case you don't know, this medicine can work best if used for 2-5 years. So the benefits clearly outweigh the risk factors when you use the medicine for long-term baldness treatment.

You would like to know:

• Propecia finasteride tablets can affect the outcome of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test which is done for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Before or after a PSA  test, tell your doctor that you are taking finasteride.
• Propecia usually gives positive results within a year of treatment. If you do not experience slowdown in hair loss or hair regrowth after using this medicine for a year, chances are very slim that you will get any further benefit from it. Talk to your doctor then and try alternative hair loss treatments.

Article Tags: Finasteride Side Effects, Finasteride Side, Side Effects, Hair Loss, Male Pattern

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