Finasteride was initially marketed to treat prostate conditions under the name Proscar in 5mg pills. It was known to inhibit the formation of DHT, a major contributor to both prostate cancer and male pattern hair loss.
Subsequent research showed that a 1mg daily dose of the same drug was sufficient to control hair loss for 83% of men after two years of treatment. Since 1998 this version has been marketed under the brand name Propecia and it remains the only prescription drug approved by the FDA specifically to treat hair loss. This approval extends only to men’s hair loss because of the dangers finasteride presents to unborn male fetuses. Women of child bearing age should therefore consult with their physician before considering the use of this drug.
The main purpose of Propecia is to halt hair loss and maintain what hair coverage is left. It is therefore popular with younger men who want to control hair loss at an early stage. Men of all ages use it in combination with minoxidil to achieve a hair loss strategy that both halts hair loss and encourages new growth.
Propecia works by interfering with the process of androgenetic hair loss which usually follows this process:
1. High levels of an enzyme known as 5-alpha-reductase occur in cells of the hair follicle.
2. This enzyme converts testosterone into DHT.
3. DHT causes miniaturization of robust terminal hairs.
4. This results in fine, soft vellus hairs that provide limited scalp coverage.
5. The growth phase gradually shortens until these hairs are lost permanently.
Propecia inhibits the formation of DHT and over a period of several months reduces levels of DHT sufficiently to minimize its effects on the hair follicle.
As with any drug, finasteride can cause side effects to a minority of users. The FDA trials reported a 2% incidence of varying side effects but these tended to lessen as the body adjusted to the drug over a period of months. Although Propecia or cheaper generic versions are easily obtained on the internet it is strongly recommended that you seek the advice of your doctor, at least in the first instance.
You can find out more about Propecia and other hair loss treatments at the site listed below.
Richard Mitchell is the creator of the [http://www.myhairlossadvisor.com ]myhairlossadvisor.com, website that provides information and guidance to those suffering from premature hair loss. Please go to Propecia to learn more about the issues covered in this article.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Does-Propecia-(Finasteride)-Help-In-The-Treatment-Of-Hair-Loss?&id=4101] How Does Propecia (Finasteride) Help In The Treatment Of Hair Loss?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Richard_Mitchell]Richard Mitchell
Hair Loss Treatment: Ways to Deal With the Causes of Men’s Hair Loss
You need to realize you are not the only man in the country with this condition. At some point in every man’s life they will wonder if it will happen to them. Those men who refuse to admit they have worried about it are just afraid of what others will think of them. The reason they worry is because it is so widespread. Unlike the flu hair loss cannot be passed from person to person except in the genetics. You do however need to be conscientous of it’s causes and solutions. We will discuss both of these things here.
The medication Propecia has become a prevalent means for treating male baldness. Whatever the reason for your hair loss, if you want to re-grow your lost hair, this is one method that has been proven to work. This oral medication helps you restimulate the enzymes that allow hair growth in your scalp. The drug propecia “wakes up” sleeping follicles so that you can regrow lost hair naturally. This drug is only one of two FDA approved medications for hair loss. The FDA does not approve of medications that they don’t feel comfortable backing claims on so that must say something about Propecia for it to be approved and tested. Ask your healthcare professional before beginning any new treatment or therapy such as Propecia.
You must first consider why you are losing your hair before you can make an informed treatment decision. Chemotherapy is famous for making a person lose their hair. After chemotherapy it is important to let your body heal before addressing hair loss. Using the wrong treatment can cause more harm. Your doctor should be made aware of your decision to treat prior to beginning any treatment no matter how minor.
Even babies suffer from hair growth issues in a condition we refer to as cradle cap. Were you aware it can also happen to adults? Even such a trivial thing as cradle cap can cause hair loss in men as adults as well as children. The hairs ability to grow freely is squashed by conditions such as the crusty rash called cradle cap. There are too many reasons for this conditions to list here. Your dermatologist will have a better idea of how to deal with this condition. It is a fact that this condition is easily reversible. You just need to be patient and do what your doctor tells you to do!
Managing your hair loss means putting it all into perspective. Take a look around you will find many ways to counteract this experience. Solve the initial problem before attempting to create a solution to the end result. You could regain much of your lost hair once you’ve done this.