Finasteride for hair loss: a review
August 2021
in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”
TLDR Finasteride helps hair growth but may cause sexual side effects and depression.
Finasteride is a medication used to treat hair loss in men with androgenetic alopecia. It works by reducing DHT levels, but may also lead to sexual side effects and depression. Studies have found that finasteride is effective in increasing hair count compared to a placebo, but dutasteride is even more effective. Topical finasteride is being studied as an alternative treatment with promising results. However, there are concerns about the safety of finasteride, including potential permanent sexual side effects and post-finasteride syndrome. Doctors should be cautious when prescribing finasteride and closely monitor patients.
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