Finasteride is a medication used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (an enlarged prostate), as well as male pattern baldness. It works by blocking the formation of 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that causes prostatic cells to grow too much and hair follicles to shrink. By inhibiting the production of this hormone, finasteride can reduce the size of an enlarged prostate and improve urinary flow and associated symptoms. In addition, it slows down or stops the miniaturization of scalp hair follicles, resulting in faster and thicker hair growth.

Finasteride has side effects, although not everyone experiences them. Common ones include erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and ejaculatory disorders including decreased ejaculate volume in men. Depression, suicidal ideation, and allergic reactions are also possible but less common. Allergic reactions may include skin rashes, wheezing, chest or throat tightness, difficulty breathing or talking, or a swollen face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat. If you experience any of these symptoms while taking finasteride, you should seek medical attention right away.

Finasteride can help you regrow hair, but only if the hair loss is caused by high amounts of 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone. It is not effective for other causes of hair loss like chemotherapy, stress, medications, or hypothyroidism. Results are not immediate and will vary depending on the degree of hair loss. However, finasteride can reduce thinning and prevent receding hairlines even when it doesn't cause regrowth. To optimize results, you should follow the dosage regimen, avoid harsh hair products and stress, and massage your scalp daily while taking biotin supplements.

Finasteride has been found to be more effective than minoxidil for hair regrowth, but it can cause more sexual side effects like gynecomastia, decreased libido, and decreased sperm volume. Finasteride works by preventing hair loss at the follicular level while minoxidil acts as a stimulant. Although they are both effective on their own, using them together gives the best results.

If you want to achieve the best results from finasteride therapy, you need to take it continuously for a long period of time. Stopping the treatment without consulting your doctor will cause any regrown hair to be lost and may lead to a return of your hair loss or enlarged prostate. Long-term finasteride therapy is generally well tolerated and can result in significant, long-lasting improvements.

If you stop taking finasteride, your hair loss or enlarged prostate will return to its pretreatment state. This is because finasteride only reduces the levels of 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone and is not curative. You should also notice that any side effects associated with finasteride use will wane although they may persist. If this happens, you should consult your doctor.

Finasteride and minoxidil are both effective medications for the treatment of male pattern baldness, so you do not need to take both. However, combining them may provide better results due to their different mechanisms of action. Finasteride works by preventing hair loss at the follicular level whereas minoxidil is a growth stimulant. If you are interested in taking both medications together, speak to your physician.

Finasteride begins to work immediately, but its full effects can take some time. For an enlarged prostate, it can take up to six months for the full results to be seen. In terms of hair loss, patients should expect to see significant improvements after 3-6 months and the full effects will usually be seen after a year.

Finasteride may cause a decrease in sperm count in men even at lower doses. However, when the medication is stopped, sperm counts often return to normal. For men with existing fertility issues, finasteride has been shown to have a significant impact on sperm count and should be used with caution by those seeking fertility. Physicians may discontinue its use for those with low sperm counts.

Taking finasteride may have an effect on the heart and lead to lowered blood pressure in some patients. As such, it is important to consult a physician before taking any medications that lower blood pressure while taking finasteride. Research has also shown that finasteride has cardioprotective effects, which can help reverse abnormal changes in the lower chambers of the heart and reduce cardiac hypertrophy in those with heart failure.

Missing a dose of finasteride may not be an issue if it happens infrequently. However, regularly skipping doses can reduce the effectiveness of finasteride, so it is important to stick to your dosing schedule as much as possible. To reduce potential side effects, some patients take finasteride every other day. If you miss a dose, simply resume your regular dosing schedule the next day; do not double your dosage to make up for a missed pill.

Finasteride can have serious, long-term side effects that should be taken into consideration before deciding to take it. The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial found that while finasteride can offer certain advantages, its sexual side effects and increased risk for high-grade prostate cancer must be carefully weighed against its potential benefits. When considering treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia, there are alternatives to finasteride that should be explored first; however, if these alternatives fail to deliver desired results, one may consider the use of finasteride.

For some men, taking Viagra with finasteride can help reduce the erectile dysfunction caused by the drug. However, it is important to remember that Viagra may not always be effective in reversing the sexual side effects associated with finasteride. If you find that taking Viagra does not help you regain your normal erection, talk to your doctor about other ways (non-pharmacological) for addressing low libido and sexual impotence.

Finasteride 5mg is a medication used to treat and control benign prostatic hyperplasia in patients with an enlarged prostate. Benefits include reducing the size of the enlarged prostate, improving urine flow and easing related symptoms like difficulty urinating, weak urine stream and dribbling. Finasteride (5 mg) also reduces the risk for acute urinary retention and surgery. It is approved off-label for female hirsutism but not to treat male pattern baldness; finasteride 1mg is used for this condition instead.

Finasteride is known to cause erectile dysfunction, the most common side effect reported. Other side effects include ejaculatory dysfunction, loss of libido and impotence. Erectile dysfunction caused by finasteride may be worse in men already suffering from sexual health issues and can even become permanent – even after discontinuing the medication – in some cases, leading to a lasting inability to achieve normal erections years after stopping treatment.

Finasteride should be taken once daily at the same time, with or without food. Make sure to swallow the tablets whole – do not break or crush them – and take with a glass of water. For safety reasons, women should not break or crush these tablets as they can be absorbed through the skin and may cause teratogenicity.

Finasteride is the gold standard for treating male pattern baldness and benign prostatic hyperplasia and has been shown to have a high success rate. In studies, 48% of patients experienced improved hair growth after one year, and 83% no further hair loss after two years. In addition, finasteride decreased prostatic volume by 20%, resulting in improved urinary symptoms. A long-term follow-up from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial showed regular use for up to 7 years reduced the risk of low-grade prostate cancer in men aged 55 and older.

Finasteride may cause allergic reactions and abnormalities of the external genitalia of a male fetus, so pregnant women should avoid it. Finasteride is also not recommended for women or children. People with a history of prostate cancer, liver or bladder problems, or breast cancer should talk to their doctor to determine if it is safe for them to take finasteride.

Finasteride is most effective when taken daily, but some people may find it beneficial to take it every other day. Taking finasteride every other day may reduce the risk of side effects, however, this is not recommended as a general practice and should only be done after consulting with your doctor.

For the best results, you should stick to the dosage regimen prescribed by your doctor. Finasteride has a short half-life of 4-7 hours, so taking it daily is necessary to maintain a sufficient amount in order to effectively block 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone. In some cases, taking finasteride every other day may be beneficial, but this should only be done after consulting with your doctor. If you are unable to take your medicine every day, talk to your doctor about finding an alternative that works for you and meets your treatment goals.

5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are drugs that shrink the prostate by preventing the conversion of testosterone to 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone. Finasteride and dutasteride are two such drugs currently in clinical use. The inhibitory activity of these medications lowers 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone levels in the prostate, halting and even reversing an enlarged prostate. This improves urine flow, lowers the risk of complications, and reduces the need for surgery. For optimal results, it's important to take these drugs as prescribed by your doctor.

Finasteride has been linked with sleep disturbances, including sleep apnea and insomnia. A postmarketing study assessing the connection between finasteride and suicide found that participants experienced insomnia even after ending their use of the drug. If you have a history of sleep problems, it's important to talk to your doctor about any concerns before taking finasteride.

Finasteride 5 mg has been linked to some serious long-term side effects, including erectile dysfunction, depression, suicidal ideation, loss of libido, insomnia, sleep apnea, blurred vision, memory loss, altered mental status, meibomian gland dysfunction and anxiety. Some of these side effects are permanent and may worsen if they existed prior to taking Finasteride. If you're worried about any of these side effects or they are affecting your sex life, it's important to speak with your doctor.

Finasteride is typically used to decrease the size of an enlarged prostate and improve the urinary flow for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. While it does reduce the growth and spread of prostate cells, its effectiveness in improving urine flow is reduced in men who haven't taken it for several years. In many cases, finasteride monotherapy may be combined with medications that relax bladder muscles to help increase urine flow. If you're considering this treatment option, speak with your doctor about potential risks, side effects, and other treatments available.

Male pattern baldness may require taking finasteride 1mg daily for life. Taking the medication each day for at least a year will likely lead to improved hair growth, but stopping the treatment can cause a return of baldness in a few months. Finasteride is considered safe to take long-term and results in slower hair loss than not taking it.

Finasteride does not lower testosterone levels. It stops testosterone from being converted to a different hormone called 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone, causing an increase in the amount of testosterone in the blood. Finasteride is used to treat male pattern baldness, enlarged prostates, and benign prostatic hyperplasia by reducing the levels of 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone.

Finasteride is available in two formulations - 1 mg and 5 mg - which are used to treat male pattern baldness and benign prostatic hyperplasia respectively. The dose needed will depend on the condition being treated; a lower dose is typically prescribed for male pattern baldness, while higher doses are necessary for benign prostatic hyperplasia due to higher levels of 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone. Taking too much finasteride does not offer any additional benefits, and may lead to more adverse effects.

Finasteride can be replaced by dutasteride, another 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor. Dutasteride is primarily used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, while finasteride is used for the treatment of both male pattern baldness and benign prostatic hyperplasia. For male pattern baldness, minoxidil can replace finasteride as a treatment option. Your physician will be able to advise which drug would be best suited to treat your condition and whether or not medications from other pharmacological classes should also be considered.

The Food and Drug Administration recommends taking finasteride once daily, at the same time every day, to treat its indications. Taking it three times a week is not advised unless your physician specifically instructs you to do so, as finasteride has a short half-life of 4 to 7 hours. If it is taken daily, the drug can accumulate and extend its half-life up to 24 hours - making a dosage regimen of 3 times a week ineffective and leading to the loss of any benefits gained from its daily therapy.

Finasteride is available under several brand names, including Proscar and Propecia. If you need to buy finasteride, it is best to talk to a pharmacist who can help you select the most cost-effective brand. If finasteride is not available, discuss alternative options with your physician.

Natural alternatives to finasteride include saw palmetto and ecklonia cava. Saw palmetto has been shown in studies to improve hair growth in men with male pattern baldness, while ecklonia cava inhibits the activity of 5-alpha-reductase and promotes the growth of hair follicles. Additionally, Pygeum africanum, Cernilton and saw palmetto are natural alternatives for benign prostatic hyperplasia but these have not been approved by the FDA..

Finasteride is a popular medication taken by millions of men around the globe. It is prescribed for male pattern baldness and benign prostatic hyperplasia, and is the only FDA-approved drug that treats the root cause of male pattern baldness. It was the 4th most prescribed drug in the US with 2,156,558 patients according to ClinicCalc.

Women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant should avoid contact with finasteride, as it can be absorbed through the skin and cause abnormality in male fetuses. If contact does occur, affected areas should be washed with soap and water.

Finasteride can cause erectile dysfunction in a few men, but this usually resolves after a few weeks or months. In clinical trials, 1.3% of men experienced it compared to 0.7% of those who received a placebo. It is also more common and worsens in men with a history of sexual dysfunction, especially in those over the age of fifty.

Finasteride is not recommended for those under eighteen years old, as there is no evidence of its safety or effectiveness in this age group. Women should also avoid contact with or using finasteride, as it may put them at risk of developing birth defects.

Finasteride is a Category X pregnancy-risk medication and should not be used by women. It has been linked to an increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer in men who take it daily, but recent data shows that this risk comes with a lower overall prostate cancer risk but no change in the rate of death related to prostate cancer.

Finasteride only works while it's active in your body, so you'll need to keep taking it if you want to maintain the effects and prevent hair loss. If you stop taking finasteride, hair loss will usually return within months.

Finasteride's efficacy does not depend on your age. Whether you're 20, 30 or 40 years old, it will work just as effectively to reduce hair loss. It works best when you start to notice signs of thinning hair, and is even more effective in younger people since they have less hair loss due to aging.

Hair regrowth is still possible at all ages, even if you're 60. Male pattern baldness can happen over months or years and some might experience it in their twenties, while others may not notice until they are in their forties or fifties. The only time hair regrowth isn't possible is when the follicles no longer exist, so get professional help as soon as you can.

Male pattern baldness is progressive and can happen at any age, with flare ups and relapses. It won't go away on its own, so you have to decide whether to accept it as a cosmetic issue or treat it. Your hair follicles will stop growing hair when they are completely miniaturized.

Finasteride, a medication for male pattern hair loss, has been linked to sexual side effects that stay even after it's been stopped. A clinical study found that 20% of men with this condition reported persistent sexual issues for longer than 6 years. This implies that using finasteride can cause permanent sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction and impotence, especially in people with a history of similar side effects.

Finasteride and minoxidil can both be used to treat male pattern baldness on their own, and some people don't see the results they want. That's why doctors sometimes suggest taking both medications together. Finasteride works by preventing your hair from shrinking, so it can grow thicker. Minoxidil stimulates circulation to the hair follicles, so they get the nutrition they need for growth.

It's possible to use finasteride alone for male pattern baldness, but it doesn't work for everyone. Some patients don't see the desired results from taking just this medication.

Finasteride is used to treat male pattern baldness because it targets the root cause of the disease. It's also prescribed for benign prostatic hyperplasia and enlarged prostate when other treatments don't work well enough. Doctors recommend finasteride to reduce acute urinary retention and the need for surgery, as well as to reduce symptoms associated with prostate enlargement.

Finasteride may lower sperm counts in some men. When men in a study stopped taking finasteride, their sperm counts increased dramatically. However, sperm motility and morphology did not change after it was discontinued. As a result of finasteride's adverse effects on sperm, a study of its use in infertile males recommends that physicians discontinue it in men with oligospermia (low sperm count). The Food and Drug Administration advises doctors to use finasteride with caution in men who want to become pregnant.

Finasteride can cause impotence, low sperm count, decreased ejaculatory volume, and gynecomastia. In some cases, the side effect of impotence is irreversible even after stopping the drug. Also, men with a history of sexual dysfunction may experience worse symptoms.

Finasteride may affect kidney function by regulating 5-alpha-reductase in the cortical regions of the kidney. This could cause glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis, although such kidney damage is rare. Additionally, research has found that finasteride and other androgen receptor antagonists and inhibitors increase the risk of acute kidney injury in patients with no metastatic prostate cancer. However, the Food and Drug Administration does not recommend dose changes for patients with poor kidney function.

Finasteride is most effective for people with an enlarged prostate volume greater than 40 mls and benign prostatic hyperplasia. It's best to start taking it when baldness first starts, as the hair follicles have not been significantly miniaturized yet. Taking finasteride later on in the balding process will not be as effective.

Finasteride and Viagra can be taken together, as there are no interactions between the two medications. Your doctor may prescribe you Viagra or other phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors to reduce the severity of erectile dysfunction caused by finasteride if you are concerned about its impact on your sexual life. You should always discuss your use of Viagra while on finasteride with your doctor.

Finasteride starts working right away, but you should start to see significant results after a few months. People with enlarged prostates or benign prostatic hyperplasia should notice reduced prostate size and improvements in urinary flow after about six months. Men with male pattern baldness should take photos of their hair every three months to track the effects that finasteride has on their hair growth over time. Optimal results will be seen after twelve months. If no improvement is seen by this time, it may mean that finasteride is not a suitable option for you and your doctor should be consulted.