Question - Does Propecia Work?

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.

Male Pattern Baldness and Propecia

Men of all nationalities are affected by male pattern baldness. Approximately 25% show signs of hair loss by the age of 30, increasing to two-thirds by the age of 60. The cause is usually a genetic oversensitivity to the hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Hair loss in men is characterised by the 'receding hairline' - where hair recedes from the lateral sides of the forehead.

There are only two hair loss treatments that have been clinically proven to stop hair loss and promote re-growth. These are Minoxidil and Propecia.

Propecia is only available to men over the age of 18. The active ingredient in Propecia, Finasteride, was first approved for use in 1992 to treat prostate enlargement. Users noticed an increase in hair growth after taking the drug. There have since been two clinical studies by Merck Pharmaceuticals on the effects of Propecia , a 2 year study and a 5 year study.

In the 2 year study, of the 535 men taking Propecia, 99% had visible results: 66% had visible re-growth and 33% had no further hair loss. In the 5 year study, of the 279 men taking Propecia, 90% had visible results: 48% has visible re-growth and 42% suffered no further hair loss. Propecia works by reducing DHT levels in the scalp and thereby appears to inhibit the shrinking action of hair follicles. Once the shrinking action is controlled, the hair starts to re-grow.

As with all medications, there are some side effects. A small number of men experienced minor sexual side effects: less desire for sex, difficulty in achieving an erection and a decrease in the amount of semen. These are uncommon, occurring in less than 2% of men. All side effects went away either a short time after commencing treatment or when treatment was stopped. For those considering taking Propecia, it is recommended to get guidance from a medical professional.

Although the cause for baldness in men is nearly always DHT, it can affect men differently. Medical experts with experience of treating male pattern baldness have found that combining Propecia with Minoxidil enhances the treatment, producing faster results. There are also hair growth boosters that can supplement these medications by creating a treatment programme tailored for the individual.