Things to Keep in Mind When You Buy Propecia

You have chosen to take action and try to find a treatment for your male pattern baldness. Congratulations! You have joined the millions of other men who have taken control and, hopefully, soon you’ll start to see results.

With so many different possibilities for treatments, you’ll have to start by doing some research. Learn all that you can about each treatment option, so that you will know what to expect.

No matter what type of treatment you have selected, there are some things you should keep in mind.

Realistic Expectations
When a new diet pill comes out, there are always people who think that their prayers have been answered. They think they are going to take that pill and in a few months they are not only going to look like a supermodel, but they are also going to be in a Happy Relationship and working at the job of their dreams.

Of course, expecting such results is completely unrealistic. While the pill may be another tool they can use toward achieving their weight loss goal, it is not going to do the work for them.

Some men have similar expectations when they start using a treatment for their male pattern baldness. In most cases, you are not going to end up with a full, thick hair. That is not to say that the treatments are not effective, because many of them are. But there are limitations to what most of them can do.

If you enter into the treatment plan with realistic expectations, then you are less likely to wind up disappointed with the results.

Possible Side Effects
Some treatments, such as prescription medications and topical solutions, have side effects that need to be taken into consideration when making a decision. This is especially true if you have a medical condition. Most of the side effects are very mild, and some men do not experience any at all. Still, you should learn what the possible side effects are so that there won’t be any surprises.

Not a Life Cure All
Contrary to what some very dramatic men might think, male pattern baldness cannot ruin your entire life. By the same token, using a treatment for baldness (even a wildly successful one) is not going to fix all the problems in your life.

What it can do, however, is improve your waning self-confidence which can certainly make the rest of your life seem a whole lot better.

Not all Providers are Created Equal
Whether you choose a transplant, non-surgical hair replacement, supplements or any other treatment, realize that not everyone who provides the service or products is equal. Be sure that you’re getting high quality products or services. Read testimonials from past customers and, in the case of a hair transplant or non-surgical hair replacement, be sure to look at photos of past clients.

Don’t Believe Everything You Read
There is all kinds of bad advice out there. Some favorites: “Stand on your head for 20 minutes a day, and you’ll regrow hair”, “Rub a towel back and forth vigorously over your bald spots and you’ll stimulate hair growth” and “Wearing hats causes male pattern baldness.” The point is that you can’t believe everything you read.

As much as this is true for silly advice, such as that listed above, it is also true when you read someone testify that a certain product or treatment for male pattern baldness doesn’t work.

It could be that the product didn’t work for that particular user. Not every product will work for every person. Just because it didn’t work for someone else doesn’t mean it won’t work for you.

It could also be that someone who sells a competing product has chosen to flood the internet with content that says a product doesn’t work in an effort to route business back to their own product.

Just don’t believe everything you read. You’ve got to find out for yourself if a certain product is going to work for your male pattern baldness.

Take Photos
You should take photos of your scalp the day that you start treatment and then each week during treatment. This will give you an accurate way to measure your progress.

Don’t Leave Your Doctor Out of the Loop
If you have a medical condition it is necessary that you keep your doctor informed about any treatments you are using for male pattern baldness. You should discuss the options with him BEFORE starting treatment as he may have some input as to how certain treatments may affect your condition.

Be Diligent
Some men choose a possible solution for their male pattern baldness, but then are less than diligent about following through with the treatment plan. That is a waste of money as the treatment is only going to work if you follow the directions.

If it says you need take the supplement or apply the solution each day, that doesn’t mean “most days”!

Find a way to make the selected treatment part of your routine. For example, do it at the same time as your brush your teeth or take the pill every day at lunch. Do whatever it takes to help you remember to follow the instructions every day.

Being diligent about your treatment will help you achieve the best possible results.

Don’t Compare
If your brother-in-law achieved amazing results using a certain treatment, and your results were less stellar, that doesn’t mean that you should be disappointed. Remember that the products are not going to work the same for every person. Do not measure your own results against someone else’s results.

It might seem that like that is an awful lot to think about. The fact is that choosing a treatment for your male pattern baldness is not a decision that should be taken lightly. You are going to invest time, money and even a certain amount of hope in the treatment that you choose, so it’s right to carefully consider what you’re doing so that you can choose the treatment that is best for you.

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.