If you are considering taking Propecia, you are probably looking for facts. The truth is that there are many myths about Propecia on the Internet and not all of them may be accurate. You need to know what they are before proceeding any further.
Brief Information
Propecia is known as the preferred treatment for:
- Male-pattern baldness;
- Signs of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH);
- A lower urinary tract infection (UTI);
- Hair loss due to chemotherapy.
It’s made up of finasteride, an ingredient known as 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5ARI), which works by inhibiting the loss of hair in men, suffering from baldness by blocking the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a key ingredient in the growth of normal, healthy hair. However, when your body starts producing too much DHT it can stop producing other hormones called androgens, which are responsible for male pattern baldness.
The drug will make sure that your body produces less DHT.
Essential Facts
- You should take finasteride-containing tablets one time a day.
- You can lose interest in sex and problems with erection when taking Propecia.
- Finasteride can affect the results of PSA. It’s a prostate cancer blood test.
- Propecia gets into semen and potentially harms an unborn baby. Use a condom with your partner if you’re planning a pregnancy or if your partner is already pregnant.
- If you’re planning pregnancy, do not get in tactile contact with finasteride-containing tablets. Propecia can penetrate your skin and harm the unborn baby.
Propecia: FAQs
Is Propecia rapid?
Propecia is quite rapid, but it is not instant. The medication course may last up to three months for a beneficial result. A year of treatment demonstrates the best results. Eight men out of ten get very satisfying results within twelve months of regular intake of Propecia. If you don’t see the results after twelve months of treatment, you should search for an alternative medical solution.
Is Propecia evenly effective for both men and women?
Males with pattern boldness find this medication very effective. Female patients with the same type of boldness exist, but Propecia is not effective for them. Moreover, it is dangerous for women. Besides, there is an aspect of age. The older you become, the more problems with hair you might experience. Propecia gets less effective with the age of a patient. Numerous hair loss facts should be considered before you get a Propecia prescription from your doctor.
Is it a permanent solution?
It is crucial to understand that Propecia is a treatment for hair loss, but not a cure. Once you finish using Propecia the levels of testosterone will get back to converting into DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Over time, you’ll start experiencing hair loss again. It’s possible to lose all restored hair that you have gained in a year of treatment. Some men have to take Propecia for life to stay confident.
Can it turn out to be ineffective?
We all have different bodies and health conditions. A treatment, working perfectly fine for one person, can turn out to be entirely ineffective for another one. If you’re taking Propecia for more than three months and don’t see the result, it’s time for another consultation with your physician. They will manage to tell you more about the other potential steps in hair loss treatment. There are many medical solutions to try if you’re willing to restore your hair.
Another popular hair loss medication is Regaine. It encourages regrowth and slows down the hair loss process. Regaine has effortless application because it is commonly released in the form of foam.
Do I have to take Propecia throughout life?
You can take Propecia for a long time, without fear. It won’t cause any significant or severe side effects. It’s crucial to understand that if you stop taking the med, your hair loss will get back again.
When is the best time to start taking Propecia?
The best time for the start of the medication course is as soon as you see the first signs of hair loss — receding and thinning. The earlier you start taking Propecia, the more chances you get at encouraging regrowth and freezing the process.
Propecia: Ingredients & More
The active substance of Propecia is finasteride. Finasteride is a steroid-like drug often prescribed for benign prostatic hyperplasia and male pattern baldness.
- Finasteride treats BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) by blocking a certain male hormone, causing the prostate to enlarge;
- Finasteride deals with male pattern hair loss by blocking another specific male hormone concentrated in the scalp.
Finasteride is not dangerous, but it sometimes causes unwanted side effects:
- You can have trouble getting an erection (impotence);
- You can have less sexual desire.
These side effects usually disappear over time, when the body gets used to the medication. If these side effects do not disappear, or these side-effects drastically affect your sex life with a partner, see your physician for professional recommendations.
Propecia: Side Effects
You can use Propecia alone or in a combination with the other meds. It was produced for boldness in men, but not for women or children.
The possible side-effects can include:
- Pain in the breast;
- Breast lumps;
- Nipple discharge.
These symptoms are not critical, but you should inform your doctor about them as soon as you can.
The safe and most common after-effects are:
- Impotence;
- Loss of interest in sex;
- Abnormal ejaculation;
- Trouble having an orgasm.
How to Cope with Side Effects
If you can’t get an erection and experience reduced interest in sex, don’t get worried. These are temporary symptoms disappearing over time. However, if the side effects occur further, contact your doctor.
If you experience ejaculation problems ( when the amount you ejaculate is insufficient or no semen at all), there’s no need in getting worried, because it’s also a temporary condition. Of course, if the symptoms reappear many times in a row, you should get in touch with your doctor.
Call 911 If…
- You have a skin rash, including peeling, itchy, blistered, swollen, or red skin.
- You experience tightness in the throat or chest.
- You are wheezing.
- You can’t talk and breathe normally.
- You experience swelling in the mouth, face, lips, and tongue.
- You have a severe allergic reaction.
Bottom Line
Propecia is the first pill taken once a day and proven to treat male pattern hair loss on the vertex (top of head) and anterior mid-scalp area (middle front of scalp). Propecia is not a cure for hair loss, but it can boost up hair growth for some patients.
Pattern hair loss in men (androgenetic alopecia) is common for some time of life, but many men don’t realize that they are losing their hair. They don’t pay attention to it until the signs are prominent and distinct.
You know you are losing your hair if:
- You can see a widening gap between the first line of hair and the rest of the head.
- You can see a widening gap between the top of your head and your eyebrows.
- It takes more effort to style your hair.
- You see more scalp than hair when looking in the mirror.
Propecia is solely for men and must not be taken by women because it may cause the feminization of a male fetus. Propecia is not suitable for anyone under 18 years old.
Do not take Propecia if you:
- Are allergic to finasteride or any of the ingredients in Propecia.
- Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Before taking Propecia, tell your doctor if you:
- Have a genetic disorder called finasteride syndrome that causes abnormalities in male genitalia or reproductive organs.
- Are scheduled for surgery within 2 months of starting Propecia treatment.
- Currently, experience a severe infection.
- Have been told that you have a high risk of prostate cancer.
- Have been told that you will need long-term treatment with antibiotics.
Disclaimer
We notify you that the information in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Facts and data we share in our articles are not suitable for self-medication, and should not be taken as medical advice. You should always consult an experienced medical professional before making any health decisions of your own. We are responsible for the health of our customers and strongly do not recommend using any pharmaceutical items before consultation with an experienced medical practitioner. We don’t bear responsibility for potential side-effects and conditions caused by our products. If you experience severe after-effects from any medications, call 911.