TLDR Finasteride can help regrow hair in male pattern baldness.
Finasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor developed by Merck & Co., was initially used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in elderly patients. It was found that continuous oral administration of finasteride at 5 mg per tablet for 1 to 2 years could gradually reduce BPH, improving urinary flow. During treatment, patients observed hair regrowth on bald scalps, leading Merck to believe that oral finasteride was also effective in treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA), also known as male pattern hair loss (MPHL).
46 citations
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October 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Finasteride effectively treats male pattern hair loss with a 1 mg daily dose.
32 citations
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April 1999 in “Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs” Finasteride effectively treats male hair loss, improving growth and density.
29 citations
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September 2014 in “Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity” Finasteride and dutasteride effectively treat hair loss in men and women, but may cause side effects like low libido and depression.
16 citations
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June 2008 in “Springer eBooks” Over 50% of women over 50 experience hair loss, with minoxidil being the only proven effective treatment.
17 citations
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September 2020 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation” Post-finasteride patients show changes in gut bacteria, possibly causing various symptoms.
July 2018 in “Elsevier eBooks” Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia is a type of hair loss affecting mostly older women, with no agreed best treatment.