Finasteride, sold under the names Proscar and Propecia and a few others, is a medication designed to treat male pattern baldness (MPB) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BHP) in men. It is a type III inhibitors and an enzyme that takes the hormone testosterone and turns it into dihydrotestosterone.
Dihydrotestosterone is known as a sex steroid and an androgen hormone found in the prostate, testes, hair follicles, and adrenal glands.
When this medication is used to treat BPH, it is used to treat an enlarged prostate that causes urinary issues including frequent urination, hesitation to urinate, and decreased urinary flow.
More commonly, and under the name Propecia, it is used to treat MPB, in men exclusively. The treatment regularly provides 30% hair regrowth after six months of everyday use. Also, the effectiveness of this drug only lasts as long as it’s taken.
Propecia has many known benefits including
● Improved hair growth
● Hair regrowth
● Improved hair quality
● Reduction of prostate swelling and size of the prostate gland
However, there are a few groups of people that should not take Propecia or any derivative of the medication. In particular, women and children. Neither women nor children should ingest or come into contact with Propecia tablets or medication. If you are a woman or you have a child that has taken one of more tablets, you should call emergency services.
If you handle a broken or crushed tablet, you should also wash your hands with soap and water immediately following the incident.
Others who should not take Propecia before consulting their doctor include
● Individuals with liver disease or liver problems
● Individuals suffering from prostate cancer
● Those with bladder muscle disorders
● Individuals with urinary troubles
● Anyone who has had an allergic reaction to a similar medication, including Avodart, in the past
There are some known side effects from taking Propecia. They range from minor to major side effects. You should consult your doctor if you experience any of the following major symptoms while taking Propecia.
Minor Side Effects
These side effects are in order from most to least common in known occurrence
● Reduced sexual desire and libido
● Inability to achieve or maintain an erection
● Loss in sexual ability, desire, degraded performance etc.
● a runny nose
● Drowsiness
● Sneezing
● Stuffy nose
● Abdominal pain
● Back pain
● Headache
● Diarrhea
● Decreased sperm count
● Testicular pain
Major Side Effects
These side effects are in order from most to least common in known occurrence
● Chills
● Cold sweats
● Confusion
● Fairness and lightheadedness- Especially when getting up from a sedentary sitting or lying down position
● Bloating and swelling
● Breast enlargement and tenderness
● Hives and welts
● Itchy skin
● Rapid weight gain
● Unusual weight loss
You can buy Propecia online in many countries from supplement vendors and online pharmacies, including in Australia. However, it’s important to only use trusted websites when buying medications online, as they may be a fake product or harmful.
The best way to get Propecia is to talk to your doctor about your MPB symptoms and get a prescription if he believes Propecia is right for you.
I am self employed. General Practitioner in Melbourne, VIC. My special interest: male reproductive system.