TLDR Finasteride helps hair growth and prostate issues but may cause sexual side effects and increase tumor risk.
Finasteride is a drug used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, and hair loss. Studies have shown that it is effective in improving symptoms and hair growth, but there are concerns about the increased risk of high-grade tumors in the prostate with long-term use. Finasteride can cause sexual adverse reactions, but these effects can persist even after drug withdrawal. The drug can also cause side effects such as impotence, reduced libido, and breast enlargement. The dosage should be kept as low as possible, and it can interact with other drugs such as sibutramine.
November 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Finasteride 1 mg every other month works as well as daily dose for hair loss maintenance.
5 citations,
March 2014 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology” January 2013 in “e-Jurnal Medika Udayana” 
12 citations,
August 2004 in “PubMed” Finasteride, especially in a 1mg dose, effectively slows hair loss and improves hair growth in Japanese men with male pattern hair loss.
38 citations,
June 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings” Finasteride effectively improves hair growth and slows hair loss in men with male pattern baldness.
10 citations,
June 2001 in “PubMed” Finasteride is effective in growing hair and stopping hair loss in men with mild to moderate alopecia.
3 citations,
August 1996 in “PubMed” Finasteride reduces prostate size and serum levels, helping manage benign prostatic hyperplasia, without affecting prostate cancer detection. Regular monitoring is needed for users.
3 citations,
October 1995 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Finasteride helps treat skin issues like acne and baldness by blocking testosterone conversion.
