The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) gave its answer to the question “Does Propecia Work? when it gave approval to Merck & Co. to market this drug back in 1998.
For any drug to receive FDA approval, years of tests are involved and a huge investment of time and resources on the part of the pharmaceutical companies involved.
In the case of Propecia, over 1,500 men were involved in a two year study. The results showed that over 80% noticed an improvement in their hair growth and density. So the answer to the question “Does Propecia work?” is: Yes, in the majority of cases.
Obviously results differ on an individual basis and some men will experience better results than others. The drug needs to be taken daily for at least 2-3 months before making a final decision as to whether it is worth continuing.
Bear in mind that once you start taking Propecia you have committed yourself to a lifelong course of medication. Stop taking Propecia after hair has started to increase and you risk losing what you gained.
Just how does Propecia work?
The male hormone testosterone is involved. It is a contributing factor in the production of DHT, (Dihydrotestosterone) which can cause hair follicles to malfunction and shut down. Propecia blocks the process in which DHT is formed.
Each Propecia tablet contains 1mg of Finasteride, a drug originally used to combat prostate cancer in men over 50. It was prescribed in 5mg doses. It was noted that those who used this drug often experienced increased hair growth. Propecia is just the brand name of a different version of Finasteride specifically prescribed to combat male hair loss on the crown of the head or the mid-scalp area.
Does Propecia work for women too?
No. Precautions issued with the drug stress that this medication is for men only.
Additionally, although each tablet is coated pregnant women or women who think they might be pregnant are advised not to handle this medication. Contact with crushed or broken Propecia tablets can lead to deformities in the sex organs of male children.
Does Propecia work for all kinds of hair loss?
No. The drug is effective for hair loss on the crown of the head and mid-scalp. There is insufficient evidence to suggest it can help a receding hair line or loss of hair on the sides of the head.
From comments on user forums to do with hair loss it is evident that Propecia does work for many men. However, there are serious precautionary factors to consider:
1. This is a lifelong commitment which can be quite costly. Additionally the long term effects over decades of use are at this point impossible to predict.
2. A small percentage of men (around 3%) experienced various forms of sexual dysfunction including impotence, once they started taking Propecia. These effects quickly disappeared once the medication was stopped. In the clinical trials it is true that around 2% of the men using the placebo, a sugar tablet, also experienced forms of sexual dysfunction. So the number of men actually affected is quite small. However, it is important to be aware of these side effects.
Regretfully there is no ideal solution for hair loss at this time. However, there are a variety of choices available in combating hair loss. Prescription drugs such as Propecia are one option. Natural herbal remedies without side effects are another. See the resource box.
In conclusion: Does Propecia work? Yes, in the majority of cases from all the clinical evidence and user feedback available. Are you prepared for the possible implications of long term use? That is something you have to seriously consider.
Mike Jones is a writer and webmaster with over 10 years experience. His recommendation – a natural, herbal hair loss solution as opposed to a hair loss drug:
The NewHair Biofactors system stops hair loss within 1 week guaranteed – Click here: http://www.1bodycare.com/newhair.htm
Comprehensive Information On Propecia And Best Prices: http://www.4-hair-loss-solutions.com/propecia.html
Comprehensive Information On Rogaine And Best Prices: http://www.4-hair-loss-solutions.com/rogaine.html
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Question---Does-Propecia-Work?&id=529059] Question – Does Propecia Work?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mike_Jones]Mike Jones
What You Should Know About Male Balding
In western society, hair loss is something that almost every man worries about. Baldness and hair loss are considered signs of virility though in other parts of the world. However, it is considered something to be ashamed of and avoided at all costs in the western culture. Thankfully there are options to deal with the different causes of hair loss. The multiple options range from hair replacement therapies to understanding the underlying cause of the hair loss. We will discuss what some of these options are.
Propecia is one of the most popular methods for dealing with men’s hair loss. Propecia is a proven method you should consider regardless of the reason for your baldness. Propecia is taken orally and is proven to cause sleeping growth enzymes in your scalp to wake up. It “jump starts” your follicles so that you can grow totally natural hair. The FDA approves of only two prescription hair loss methods of treatment and one of them is Propecia. You must agree that your chances are pretty good for success with Propecia because of it’s backing by the FDA. Talk with your doctor before you order any though, just to be safe!
One of the major things you must take into consideration when choosing the best method for dealing with your hair loss is why your hair is falling out in the first place. One major reason for hair loss is chemotherapy. Let your body heal before you try to treat your chemotherapy induced 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.
A condition that occurs primarily in infants which makes it difficult to produce new hair is referred to as cradle cap. This condition can happen to adults too. 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. A number of reasons for this condition make it difficult to know which is taking place when. Consult your doctor for ideas on how to clear up this condition. It is a fact that this condition is easily reversible. Patience is a virtue here, it’s important to listen to what your doctor tells you to do. Loss of hair can be hard to face. Most find that it even lowers their self-confidence. It is not a rare occurrence though for a man to loose his hair. In fact, a majority of men face this issue at some point in their life. There is no reason to feel ashamed or embarrassed by it. I hope you find encouragement in the fact that we live in a day and age where it is possible to stop hair loss. Re-growth of hair is even possible for some men.