Men need not worry about enlarged prostate or baldness as advances in medical research created a drug that treats both benign prostatic hyperplasia and male pattern baldness. Visit your doctor to find out what Finasteride can do for you.
There are two medical conditions that have been hounding the male population for a long time now-benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male pattern baldness (MPB). The synthetic antiandrogen, Finasteride may be the solution to these medical problems.
A Look at Finasteride:
Marketed under the trademark names Propecia and Proscar by Merck, Finasteride is a synthetic antiandrogen that inhibits the enzyme, type II 5-alpha reductase which changes testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In 1992, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug under the brand name Proscar for the treatment of BPH. The FDA approved the drug for MPB treatment in 1997, under the brand name Propecia.
Uses and Benefits
BPH or enlarged prostate can be treated by taking 5 milligrams of Finasteride daily. It will take a half year or more to see or feel the full effects of the drug. However, it is not advisable to discontinue taking the drug as it will reverse any therapeutic benefits. Taking Finasteride will improve the many symptoms associated with BPH, including difficulty urinating and decreased urinary flow.
A study showed that 2 out of 3 men who have mild to moderate hair loss who took a milligram of Propecia daily have regrown their hair. In contrasts, those who were not taking Propecia lost their hair. The 5-year study also showed that 48 percent of men who were treated Finasteride experienced visible hair regrowth while 42 percent have no further hair loss.
On the other hand, a study showed that Propecia is not effective for treating hair loss in women. However, the drug can be prescribed to women but birth control measures are needed as there is no assurance that women cannot become pregnant when taking Finasteride.
Side Effects:
Some common side effects of Finasteride are abnormal ejaculation, impotence, abnormal sexual function, erectile dysfunction, gynecomastia, decreased ejaculatory volume and testicular pain. Men who experienced these side effects and discontinued Finasteride therapy experienced resolution.