| The drug propecia is a prescription hair loss medication | | | | term use.Disadvantages of Taking PropeciaPropecia is |
| designed mainly for men with mild to moderate hair | | | | not a cure for hair loss. Propecia works by interrupting |
| loss. The effects of hair loss and propecia were | | | | the conversion process of testosterone to its |
| studied in several clinical trials, and propecia was found | | | | metabolite, dihydrotestosterone (DHT for short). It does |
| to be better than a placebo.The men in the studies, | | | | this by effecting the enzyme catalyst, 5-alpha |
| aged between 18 and 41, took propecia daily for a | | | | reductase, that is involved in the conversion process. In |
| year. Some men took a placebo. Of the men who | | | | male pattern hair loss, there is an excess of DHT in |
| took the propecia, 86% either did not suffer further hair | | | | the part of the scalp where hair loss occurs. So, by |
| loss, or actually increased the amount of hair in the | | | | reducing the amounts of DHT in the scalp, propecia |
| affected areas. Only 14% of men had continued hair | | | | effectively works to prevent new hair loss, and allows |
| loss.The drug propecia has been found to be | | | | hair to regrow. However, to continue the benefits of |
| ineffective for women. This, combined with the | | | | propecia, you'll need to take it for the rest of your life. |
| potential danger of abnormalities to a male fetus, | | | | Once you stop taking propecia, the DHT levels will rise |
| means that propecia is not prescribed for female | | | | again in the scalp, and hair loss will return to |
| pattern hair loss. Propecia has not been studied in older | | | | pre-propecia levels.The Drug Propecia and |
| men, or men with complete baldness, and it has not | | | | PregnancyWomen should be very careful not to |
| been proved to work with a receding hairline. Propecia | | | | handle propecia if they are pregnant, as it can affect |
| is not suitable for children, no doubt due to its negative | | | | the development of the sex organs in a male fetus. |
| effect on developing male genitals.Generally, propecia | | | | So, it would be wise not to touch any open packets, or |
| is a very safe drug for hair loss. Most men taking it did | | | | broken tablets. If you must, use a glove. Unbroken |
| not have any side effects, though some reported:* | | | | tablets are safety coated, so the active ingredient of |
| erection difficulties* reduced amount of semen* less | | | | propecia, which is the potential problem, is not present |
| sexual desireThese were not permanent changes, and | | | | on the outside of the tablet.For men taking propecia, if |
| when those affected stopped taking propecia, their | | | | your wife is pregnant, there is no risk to her unless she |
| symptoms disappeared. Some men who reported | | | | is exposed to the active ingredient from a broken |
| these side effects were also able to continue taking | | | | tablet. She, or the baby, won't be harmed when her |
| propecia without the side effects continuing. The report | | | | partner is taking it.However, given that in some men |
| I saw did not say whether the side effects just | | | | propecia affects the amount of semen produced, if |
| stopped, or if other treatment was undertaken to | | | | you are trying to conceive this may pose a problem. |
| counteract them.The drug propecia has only been | | | | This side effect does not affect all, or most, men. But |
| studied on men for up to two years, and these men | | | | check with your doctor if you think this may be a |
| had no problems taking it for this period. However, | | | | concern.References:1. medsafe.govt.nz/consumers/cmi |
| based on research over a period of 32 years on men | | | | p/propecia.htm2. dermnetnz.org/treatments |
| who are deficient on the enzyme that propecia | | | | finasteride.htmlRebecca Prescott reviews |
| suppresses, 5-alpha reductase, the mechanism by | | | | non-prescription hair growth products here. |
| which propecia works seems to be quite safe for long | | | | |