A Randomized Double-Blind Study of the Effect of Finasteride on Hair Growth in Male Patients of Androgenetic Alopecia

The study involved 80 male patients with androgenetic alopecia and assessed the efficacy and safety of finasteride, 1 mg daily, over 12 months. It was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Among the 39 patients who completed the study, those treated with finasteride showed a mean increase of 20.56±4.73 hairs, while the placebo group saw a decrease of 9.56±5.53 hairs. Photographic assessments indicated that 69.56% of finasteride-treated patients improved, compared to 6.25% in the placebo group. However, 25% of the finasteride group reported adverse effects, including decreased libido and erectile dysfunction. The study concluded that finasteride was effective in promoting hair growth in male AGA patients, but the incidence of side effects was significant.