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learn Finasteride

Popular 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that lowers DHT, taken as a pill or used topically

Finasteride for alopecia: the definitive guide to using it correctly. Finasteride 1 mg daily blocks DHT and, in trials, slowed hair loss in most men over 6 to 12 months, though some men do not respond and the benefit lasts only while the drug is taken. It is prescription-only, carries a pregnancy contraindication, and has reported sexual, mood, breast and semen side effects, some of which men report continuing after stopping.
Is finasteride safe? In one-year trials most men tolerated finasteride 1 mg, but its risks are not only sexual: US, UK and EU regulators warn of sexual dysfunction, depression and suicidal thoughts, and of sexual and mood symptoms that have continued after stopping, and men also report cognitive, anxiety and physical symptoms. How often lasting problems happen, and how much of that the drug causes, is not known; finasteride is prescription-only and must not be taken, or handled as crushed or broken tablets, by women who are or may be pregnant.
Is Finasteride unbeatable or are there equally powerful alternatives? Finasteride has the longest record of trial evidence in male androgenetic alopecia; in pooled 24-week trials dutasteride increased hair counts more, and minoxidil, topical finasteride, PRP, LLLT and microneedling have supporting studies. Regulators warn that finasteride can cause sexual side effects, depression and suicidal thoughts that may persist after stopping, its label also lists breast, semen and other physical effects, and dutasteride now carries a precautionary mood warning; both are prescription-only, and dutasteride and oral minoxidil are off-label for hair loss.

learn Dutasteride

5-alpha reductase inhibitor that blocks both enzyme types, a stronger DHT blocker than finasteride

learn Fluridil

How is Fluridil different from other DHT blockers like finasteride? Fluridil is a topical androgen-receptor blocker applied to the scalp, while finasteride is an oral 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor that lowers DHT throughout the body. Finasteride is FDA-approved and far better studied; Fluridil rests on one 43-man trial and is not licensed as a hair-loss medicine, so its long-term safety and effect size are unknown.

learn Saw Palmetto

Is saw palmetto as effective as finasteride against DHT? In the only head-to-head hair study, which was open-label, fewer men improved on saw palmetto (38%) than on finasteride (68%). That study did not measure DHT levels.

learn Minoxidil

Vasodilator used on the scalp and, at low doses, as a tablet

Community Join

5 / 1000+ results

community Hims topical min/fin spray vs serum

9 upvotes 2 years ago

The conversation is about someone switching from a hair loss treatment spray with alcohol and propylene glycol to a serum with essential oils, questioning the absorption and effectiveness of the new product. The spray and serum both contain 0.3% finasteride and 6% minoxidil.

community Questions on Mixing Hims Fin/Min with Kirkland Min for Lower Side Effects

in Finasteride 74 upvotes 11 months ago

The user experienced side effects from oral finasteride and is considering microdosing topical finasteride mixed with minoxidil. They plan to mix Hims min/fin with Kirkland minoxidil to achieve a lower dose of topical finasteride.

community Lack Of Progress On Hims Fin/Min?

in General 93 upvotes 10 months ago

The user switched from Minoxidil to a Hims spray containing both Finasteride and Minoxidil but hasn't seen significant progress after 6 months. They are seeking advice for hair loss, particularly at the front and corners, and are using derma stamping twice a week.

community 6 months on Him’s 1.2mg finasteride 3mg Minoxidil

178 upvotes 7 months ago

The user has been using Him's chewable finasteride (1.2mg) and minoxidil (3mg) for six months and has seen some hair regrowth but is considering switching to dutasteride. Others advise patience, suggesting that significant results often take 12 to 18 months, and recommend sticking with the current treatment longer before making changes.

community After 5 Months of HIMS Topical Fin + Min: Back of Head Stalled, Seeking Advice on Growing Out

in General 70 upvotes 11 months ago

The user has been using topical finasteride and minoxidil for about 5 months and feels progress on the back of their head has stalled, while the front and top look good. They are considering whether to let their hair grow out despite feeling the contrast is awkward.

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Research

5 / 44 results

research Patient satisfaction, side effects, and other reactions reported by adult men prescribed compounded, topical finasteride via a national telehealth platform: A retrospective analysis of real world data (Preprint)

December 2025 in “JMIR Dermatology”

This study observed that patients using a novel topical combination of finasteride and minoxidil for male androgenetic alopecia reported high satisfaction and good tolerance, with few side effects and no need for higher-level care, despite limitations such as retrospective data and no control group.

research Patient satisfaction, side effects, and other reactions reported by adult men prescribed compounded, topical finasteride via a national telehealth platform: A retrospective analysis of real world data (Preprint)

September 2025

In this large retrospective study, patients using compounded topical finasteride and minoxidil through a telehealth platform for male androgenetic alopecia reported high satisfaction and low incidence of side effects, with no need for higher care or treatment discontinuation due to adverse reactions.

research Patient-reported treatment outcomes and safety of direct-to-consumer teledermatology for finasteride treatment in male androgenetic alopecia: A cross-sectional study

January 2023 in “DIGITAL HEALTH”

This study found that users of a German direct-to-consumer teledermatology platform for finasteride reported improvements in hair appearance and self-esteem, though 12% experienced treatment-related adverse events.

research Online Traffic Analysis of Direct-to-Consumer Websites for Hair Loss Treatment and Characterization of Finasteride Patients on a Platform in Germany: A Potential Paradigm Shift in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

April 2023 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

This study found that the increasing visits to online prescription platforms for MQ-based finasteride treatment in androgenetic alopecia suggest a significant shift in medical care towards digital health services.

research Comparison of Microneedling with Platelet Rich Plasma vs Minoxidil (5%)+Finasteride (0.1%) Topical Therapy in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomised Clinical Study

January 2023 in “Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research”

This study compared the effectiveness and safety of microneedling with PRP versus minoxidil and finasteride topical therapy in adult males with androgenetic alopecia, finding similar hair density improvements in both groups, though microneedling with PRP had a quicker onset of action.

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