Propecia is the trade name for the drug Finasteride and is used to treat hair loss and to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia which is an enlarged prostate condition. In 1997 the american pharmaceutical company Merck obtained approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration to market the product safely to worldwide consumers. By 1998 over 400,000 prescriptions for Propecia were filled worldwide making the hair loss treatment drug extremely profitable for investors. Male pattern hair loss affects nearly 50% of males aged 50 or older, with a reported 35 million men in the United States alone suffering from hair loss.
Generic Propecia online in Australia
Hair loss in men
Hair loss in men can be attributed to many factors such as stress, heredity and an overproduction of the hormone DHT. Too much DHT found in a man’s scalp causes the hair follicles to shrink gradually resulting in a significant reduction of the amount of hair grown on the head. Propecia works by essentially blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Within the first 24 hours of consuming Propecia Treatment the concentration of DHT found in the scalp drops significantly by 65%. Propecia is considered a long term treatment plan with the majority of users noticing a decline in hair loss within the first six months, with hair gradually beginning to start to grow back after nine months of constant use. Studies conducted by the Federal Drug Administration have been mixed with some users only experiencing a decline in hair loss, with others claiming to have hair that continued to grow back after hair loss.
Ultimately the FDA reports that over 90% of men notice positive results overall. Some possible side effects of Propecia include Headaches, skin rashes, erectile dysfunction, swelling of the feet and hands, light headedness, abnormal ejaculation, runny nose and a loss of libido. Some severe side effects of Propecia use in men include the develop of testicular pain, breast enlargement, male infertility and breast cancer. With some man even reporting continued negative sexual side effects even after Propecia treatment ended. The prescribed dosage for Propecia is 1mg and is to be included into your daily regime. It has been reported that hair loss often recurs after patients discontinue Propecia use often resulting in a worse case of hair loss or severe balding.
Propecia is sold in tablet form and is octagonal in shape and tan in color. Although is has been deemed generally safe for male consumption, female use is often not advised due to increased risk of birth defects to infants whose mothers were exposed to this drug during pregnancy. Propecia carries a warning label for all intended users that states that men who take this hair loss treatment drug have a increased risk of a severe aggressive type of prostate cancer. Because DHT is the primary hormone necessary for the development of male genitalia caution has to be used in all patients who consider using Propecia. One has to weigh the risk and benefits of this treatment method and make the conscious decision if the reward are worth the risk.
I am self employed. General Practitioner in Melbourne, VIC. My special interest: male reproductive system.