Oral finasteride, a type II 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, is one of the most effective treatments available for androgenic alopecia (AGA). However, concerns over the drug’s potential side effects prevent many men from ever considering the medication. In the last several years, nearly a dozen studies have shown that certain formulation topical finasteride may confer the … Read more…
Topical finasteride is an effective treatment for androgenic alopecia – particularly for those interested in better localizing the drug’s effects to the scalp. Unfortunately, prescriptions for topical finasteride can cost as much as $50-$100 per month. This prices out a lot of people who would’ve otherwise committed to the topical had it not been for … Read more…
In the medical literature, it’s well established that women should withdraw from finasteride prior to conceiving, or abstain from finasteride throughout pregnancy and/or while breastfeeding. But what about men? Can they continue using finasteride during conception? What about during their partners’ pregnancy — when indirect finasteride exposure (via semen) might expose the female and fetus … Read more…
What’s the Prevalence Of Sexual Side Effects From Finasteride? Does finasteride lower libido? The true incidence of the sexual side effects of finasteride remains up for debate. Finasteride is the world’s best-studied hair loss drug. Over the past 30 years, it has been clinically tested in over 30,000 men – with dozens of randomized, double-blinded, … Read more…
What is Finasteride, and Which Finasteride is Best? Finasteride is a drug approved by the FDA to treat benign prostate hyperplasia and androgenic alopecia. It is prescribed as a 1 mg daily tablet for men with androgenic alopecia. It is also prescribed in higher dosages for women suffering from female pattern hair loss. This ranges … Read more…
Finasteride and dutasteride are drugs that lower the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a hormone that is causally linked to both benign prostatic hyperplasia and male pattern hair loss. While both drugs tend to be effective hair loss treatments for men, they do come with a risk of side effects –most commonly sexual side effects … Read more…
Microneedling for Hair Loss In the last decade, microneedling has garnered attention in the anti-aging world for its ability to remodel collagen and reduce the appearance of scars. More recently, researchers have started testing microneedling as a treatment for hair loss disorders – including androgenic alopecia. The process of microneedling creates potentially hundreds of micro … Read more…
Finasteride Side Effects Finasteride is the most powerful, well-studied, FDA-approved drug for androgenic alopecia (AGA). It stops AGA progression in 80-90% of men and, on average, leads to a 10% increase in hair count over two years. For men wanting a hands-off approach to hair maintenance, finasteride is often an excellent option. That said, finasteride … Read more…
I Am Experiencing Side Effects From Minoxidil. What Should I Do? If experiencing side effects from minoxidil, it’s best to speak with the prescribing physician as soon as possible to discuss next steps. Discontinuing use, however, is not the only option. There are strategies to reduce minoxidil’s side effects (while still benefiting from the drug) … Read more…
Introduction Finasteride is one of the most commonly-prescribed medications for treatment of male pattern hair loss—also known as androgenic alopecia (AGA). But it’s also used as an off-label treatment for female pattern hair loss. Evidence suggests this medication can help regrow hair in both sexes. But what’s the best dose of finasteride for women with … Read more…