Find the proper dosage for you
Are you thinking about Finasteride for hair loss? Men commonly experience loss of hair as they age. This is known as male pattern baldness and this usually affects men of various ages. Studies show that 1 in every 6 men has moderate to extensive hair loss if they are within the 18 to 29 age group. These statistics increase as men reach 40. A staggering 50% of men are affected at that age.
Because of the associated problems in terms of physical appearance brought by the loss of hair in men, treatment is usually considered. One of the many available treatments for male pattern baldness is the use of oral Finasteride.
Finasteride is one of the most famous medications for the regrowth of hair and the prevention of further hair loss. Finasteride is popular because it is FDA-approved and has shown good results in the long-term management of male pattern baldness.
How Finasteride works for hair losss
Finasteride is a commonly used prescription medicine for male pattern baldness. During the 1990s, it was first released in the market but as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia. It was only in 1998 where it was used for male pattern baldness after getting approval from the FDA. Since then, Finasteride for hair loss has been a favorite of physicians across the nation.
Hair loss in male pattern baldness happens because the hair follicles housing the strands become weaker in time. As it weakens, the hair strands become prone to breakage due to thinning and shortening. A factor that induces the changes in the hair follicles can be attributed to the dihydrotestosterone hormone or DHT.
DHT is a byproduct of testosterone, a male hormone that regulates many processes in an adult male. The problem with DHT is that as a man gets older, it can cause the hair follicles to eventually stop the production of new hair strands.
Finasteride takes its action here. It is capable of decreasing the DHT levels in the body. What Finasteride does is it inhibits the enzyme which converts testosterone to DHT. This effectively reduces the amount of DHT in the body.
Consequently, reduction in the effects of DHT on the hair follicles addresses the main concern in male pattern baldness. Diminished DHT levels in the adult male body are essential for the prevention of hormonal damage, slowing down, or stopping further hair loss.
How to take Finasteride for hair loss
Like any other prescription medicine, appropriate instruction for dosage and daily intake will be given to you by a doctor during a check-up or consult. Nevertheless, there is a common pattern on how finasteride is usually taken.
Finasteride is a small tablet taken orally every day. It can be taken with or without food. Moreover, it is usually needed only once a day. Ideally, it is recommended to take the medicine at the same time of the day. For example, if you usually take it in the morning before eating breakfast, then it is recommended for you to take it at this time every day.
The effect of the medicine only lasts as long as it is in the body. The half-life of Finasteride is around 5 to 6 hours. This means that half of the dose is removed from your body every 5 to 6 hours. Because of this constant removal of a part of the dose every 6 hours, one needs to continually take the appropriate dosage to have a constant level of Finasteride in the body. This explains why Finasteride is taken for hair loss.
Things you need to know about Finasteride dosage
If Finasteride is to be used for male pattern baldness, evidence suggests that 1 milligram of the medicine is the most effective dose for treatment and prevention of hair loss. This dosage can give you the most beneficial hair loss prevention effects.
However, some studies have tried to prove whether a lower dose of Finasteride is useful for male pattern baldness due to reported cases of men having side effects with the 1-milligram dose and patients wanting to lower the risk of experiencing these side effects. It was concluded that a dose of at least 0.2 milligrams is still effective in treating male pattern baldness. But it should be noted that the effect of the lesser dose is less than the effect that can be given by the 1-milligram dose.
No matter what dose was prescribed to you by your doctor, please keep in mind that it takes time before you can see the effect of the medicine. It needs around 3 to 4 months of continuous use before you can see the improvement in your hair growth. Finasteride is very effective for hair loss given that you take it consistently. If you suddenly stop using Finasteride, your body will go back to converting your testosterone to DHT. Therefore, DHT will again induce the destruction of the hair follicles, and loss of hair will happen again. Missing one dose is not a huge problem, though. If you miss one day of taking, it is fine. But suddenly stopping intake for several weeks can be a problem.
Now, if you take a dose higher than your prescribed 1 milligram, then you increase the chances of having the adverse side effects. It does not necessarily mean that the increased dose will increase the effectiveness. It is still important to follow the doctor’s prescription.
Many users of Finasteride can claim that if it is used correctly, it is very effective as a medication for hair loss and male pattern baldness. This medicine can only be used correctly and safely if consulted with a doctor, because they can assess the correct dose and intake for you. They can also help in managing side effects if you happen to encounter some.
If you have noticed a substantial amount of hair loss recently, then you may want to consider using Finasteride. Just do not forget to consult your doctor.
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