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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Medical Review by Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DipABOMSummary:Finasteride is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor that effectively treats male pattern baldness and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by reducing DHT levels.Common sexual side effects may include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and ejaculation disorders. These may resolve when the use of finasteride is discontinued.Other side effects of finasteride can include mood changes and breast enlargement in a minority of cases.The dosage and duration of finasteride treatment, along with genetic factors and interactions with other medications, can all contribute to your risk of experiencing side effects. We recommend only using finasteride under the guidance and supervision of a qualified medical professional.Finasteride, a popular 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, was originally developed to manage issues related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)—but it is now widely used to treat male pattern baldness.Finasteride helps with BPH by reducing the enlargement of the prostate to alleviate symptoms. When used as a treatment for hair loss, finasteride inhibits an enzyme that can adversely affect hair follicles—offering many men hope to retain and possibly regrow hair.How finasteride worksFinasteride works by preventing an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase from converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT plays an important role in hair growth, as well as many other characteristics associated with physical development in men.By lowering DHT levels, finasteride reduces its effects on both hair follicles and the prostate. This can reduce symptoms of both male-pattern baldness and help your prostate return to a normal size.How effective is finasteride?There are multiple studies that show finasteride’s effectiveness in slowing down hair loss—and in some cases, even promoting regrowth in men suffering from male pattern baldness.When used to treat BPH, finasteride has also been shown to be highly effective in decreasing prostate size—which can help make urination easier and more comfortable.Mild & moderate side effectsLike many other medications, finasteride carries a risk of certain side effects. You should always consult a qualified healthcare professional before obtaining or using this medication, and use it only as directed so that you can keep these risks as manageable as possible.Sexual side effectsSexual side effects of finasteride are relatively rare, affecting only 2.1% to 3.8% of people who use it. They often resolve after you stop taking the medication—although they can persist in rare cases.The sexual side effects of finasteride may include these examples:A decrease in libidoErectile dysfunctionEjaculation disorders, including reduced semen volumeAdjusting your daily dose of finasteride may also help reduce many
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