Finasteride after 4.5 years: results, shedding reality and other effects
    Update 8/28/2025

    From the encyclopedia
    Finasteride →

    Frontline, gold standard treatment for combatting androgenic alopecia

    Dutasteride →

    Heavy duty finasteride that comes with higher risks

    At a glance
    In this treatment experience post, the primary subjects mentioned are
    💊 Finasteride (oral) 1mg initially, later ~1.25mg 2-3x per week 4.5 years
    💊 Dutasteride (oral)
    the tone is 😀 positive with maintenance, stable density results.

    Other terms

    Finasteride helped maintain hair density and prevent further hair loss over 4.5 years, with no major side effects except mild gynecomastia. Consistency and regular health checks are recommended, and the user experienced stable hair density with occasional shedding.
    View this post in the Community →

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    6 / 6 results

      community I have been on finasteride for 9 months. (6 months on 0.25 mg, 3 months into 0.5 mg daily) here are the progress pictures.

      in Progress Pictures  273 upvotes 1 year ago
      A user shared progress pictures after 9 months on finasteride, starting with 0.25 mg and increasing to 0.5 mg daily, noting improved hair density, especially at the crown, with initial side effects that resolved after the first month. The discussion includes user experiences with finasteride, concerns about side effects, and alternative treatments like rosemary oil and platelet-rich plasma therapy.

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      community Discussion on Finasteride and life.

      in Chat  166 upvotes 1 year ago
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      community 2 year progress with Dut after a decade of Fin

       154 upvotes 4 months ago
      A user shared their hair loss journey, using finasteride since age 18 and adding dutasteride at 30, which halted hair loss and promoted regrowth. They take finasteride daily and dutasteride three times a week, experiencing reduced libido and drier skin as side effects.

      community Quit finasteride after 15+ years

       972 upvotes 1 year ago
      A user stopped finasteride after 15 years due to severe side effects, which improved after quitting. They maintained most of their hair and are considering alternatives like topical treatments or RU58841.

    Related Research

    6 / 6 results
      Finasteride in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

      research Finasteride in the treatment of alopecia

      62 citations , April 2004 in “Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy”
      This article reviews the use of finasteride for treating male pattern hair loss, highlighting its mechanism of action in reducing DHT and noting its safety profile with some common adverse effects.
      Male Androgenetic Alopecia: Medical and Surgical Treatments

      research Male androgenetic alopecia (Part II)

      9 citations , February 2005 in “The Journal of Men's Health & Gender”
      This article reviews treatment options for male androgenetic alopecia, including their distinct aims of arresting progression, stimulating regrowth, and concealing hair loss, and reports no new clinical results.
      Female Pattern Alopecia: Current Perspectives

      research Female pattern alopecia: current perspectives

      42 citations , August 2013 in “International Journal of Women's Health”
      This review discusses the current therapeutic options for female pattern hair loss and emphasizes the need for managing patient expectations of permanent regrowth, reporting no new clinical results.