PropeciaIndeed

Male pattern hair loss is a common problem for men. Male hormones and genetic predisposition cause this problem. This type of hair loss starts with a receding hairline that makes the hair finer and results in dead follicles stopping the hair from growing. The search for a good treatment may not be necessary if the person is comfortable with their appearance. For others who prefer otherwise, a medicine has been developed to remedy it called Propecia. This medication minimizes dihydrotestosterone or DHT, the main cause of male pattern hair loss.

This medicine is in pill form and is an FDA-approved prescription drug specially made for the treatment of male hair loss. Women are not advised to use this treatment especially those who are pregnant or might be pregnant. The treatment will slow hair loss of the mid-scalp area and the top of the head. Recommended dosage for Propecia is one tablet a day and can be taken at any time of the day. One should take the medicine for 3 months or more to receive the best results. Regular medical check-up is recommended. Discontinuation of taking this drug for 12 months will result in return of hair loss.

People who are allergic to Finasteride should not take this drug.  It contains 1 mg of finasteride and a few nonactive ingredients like   sweet milk, processed wood pulp, dried corn, salt, lubricant, a coating ingredient and a few more nonactive ingredients which some use in a few dietary medications. The tablet is of a pale brown color, octagonal in shape and film coated with a letter “P” embossed on one side and the full name on the other side.

There is a possibility that taking Propecia affects a blood test called PSA a screening for the male prostate. The health provider should be informed that this drug has been ingested because it can alter the test results. Any positive results due to the presence of this drug may result to some reconsideration for the health provider doing the examination. The health care provider should also be informed of irregular use of the drug for possible changes from the test results. There is a risk of cancer of the prostate gland of men taking Finasteride who ingests it 5 times the recommended dosage. It is best to consult your doctor for the correct dosage or follow the dosage provided in the Prescribing Information document that comes with the package.

About 2% of men taking Finasteride have experienced side effects such as decrease in libido, possible erectile dysfunction or decrease in semen count. Once these side effects occur the patient should cease taking the drug         and the side effects will just go away. Other side effects may include breast tenderness or enlargement, allergic rash or hives and face swelling. Rarely, a man can also receive breast cancer when taking Finasteride, so it is best to inform a doctor or any health provider of any side effects experienced after taking it.

Clinical study shows that men who experience mild to moderate hair loss notice visible results in a span 5 years. Forty five percent of these users say their hair started growing back and forty eight percent did not lose any more hair. Results will vary but generally, not all of the hair lost will grow back.

Propecia is the current DFA-approved medicine treatment for hair loss. It effectively blocks development of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the main cause of male pattern hair loss. Most men at the age of 40 years old and over have to deal with this dilemma. Scientists believe that this condition may be inherited from either side of the family. I have been taking this drug for about 2 years now and I have not only regrown some of the hair I lost but also don’t notice much hair loss for the past few months.

I have been losing hair as a lot of men my age experience. It was fine when it started but it got to a point when I didn’t like what I see in the mirror anymore and I feel bad whenever I see hair falling off my head and straight to my bathroom sink. I decided to consult my doctor and got a prescription for this drug that he said will help in treating my condition.

I was excited and I couldn’t wait to start. I took my prescription and went straight home. My doctor had informed me to follow the directions that came with the medicine. I opened the package and my eyes went straight to the information about the prescribed dosage. It says that one tablet per day is sufficient. I also need to continually take it for 3 months or more to notice any improvement. My doctor mentioned that it might even take longer for some other people. I told him I’m in for the long haul if this medication can help me with my condition. My doctor had mentioned some side effects and told me to make sure to contact him when I encounter any. It’s definitely best to consult your health provider when it happens. For those of you who may be allergic to Finasteride, it’s best to take an alternate treatment. Propecia contains 1 mg of Finasteride and should not be taken at all.

The first 3 months went fast and I felt like nothing was happening. I wasn’t sure if there were any improvements or if the medicine was working at all. A decrease in my libido occurred in the next few months after. So I went back to my doctor to inform him of it and he said that it would pass. He was right, it did. I continued taking the medication.

By my 12^th month, my sexual drive had gone back and I didn’t experience any other side effects. After a year, I didn’t notice any changes on my scalp yet and I felt like I was still losing hair. I thought, it may just be in my head since I check my scalp every morning. Then, one night at a party my wife and I attended, all my friends had noticed a change in me. They said that my hair looks great and some even joked around that I should continue doing what I’m doing because it was working for me. I couldn’t help it. I had this silly grin on my face the whole night as more positive comments came my way.

A friend who had the same condition then asked what I did and told them that I was taking Propecia. A drug my doctor recommended. I told them my experience and what to expect. I convinced a few men to try it but to consult their doctors before going to the pharmacy since you’ll need a doctor’s prescription to acquire it.

As of this moment, some of the hair I lost has grown back. The drug doesn’t promise full hair growth but I feel much better than I did before taking the drug. Taking the drug was a gamble on my part but it was worth it. My dear wife and I couldn’t be happier with the results.

My father had a condition called Male Pattern Hair Loss. His hair started receding by the age of 45.  It didn’t really seem like he minded losing his hair at all. But then, after a couple of years, I noticed a change in his behavior. He started wearing hats more often. He never really wore hats before. He likes the feeling of the warm sun on his skin when he goes to work in the morning.

It started with one bowler hat. Then he decided to buy one for each day. That’s what he said. We even joked around that he actually looks pretty good wearing it to work. Then, he started to buy some baseball caps too, wearing it at all times on the weekends, even if it were 100 degrees under the Nevada sun. This is when I started to get worried. He didn’t seem to be the confident man I know anymore, the man who always believed in himself and didn’t hide any flaws. I never liked any confrontations with my father but I decided to ask him outright at this point.

Surprisingly, my father opened up to me and said that he wasn’t feeling like himself anymore. He admitted that wearing all these hats to cover the bald spot on his head everyday is starting to get tiresome and uncomfortable for him. I told him that I will try my best to help him and find another way.

This is when I started to do my own research. I went on the Internet and started searching for other treatments about my father’s condition. I then found out about a drug called Propecia, a DFA-approved medicinal treatment for my father’s condition. As I read on, I got more and more curious and checked for reviews on some forums.

Just like any other product, there were some believers and some who had taken it but had given up. I was still very hopeful and took the positive comments to heart. I spoke to my father and asked him to consult a doctor on his condition. He didn’t believe much in doctors (that’s another story to tell), but with some convincing and giving him the information I got from my research, he went for an appointment. I promised I would go with him. I also wanted to learn more about this drug so I can give my father some moral support as he takes on this journey to become confident again.

As I expected, the doctor recommended the drug Propecia. He asked the regular questions which included my father’s allergies. The doctor informed us that the drug had Finasteride as the main ingredient and he just wanted to make sure that my father wouldn’t have any unnecessary allergic reaction when taking it. We took the prescription his doctor prepared and went straight to purchase it.

The first few months were a struggle. There were a few times when he wanted to quit taking it and just get used to wearing caps or hats his whole life. I told him that any side effects will go away and recommended to go to the doctor when one shows up. I was so happy that he took my suggestion and made sure he had regular check ups with his doctor. The side effects did go away and I was with him the whole time. I made sure to check up on him at all times so he continues to take the medicine.

He’s been using Propecia for 3 years now and I don’t have to remind him to take it anymore. Some of his hair has grown back and he doesn’t need to wear his hats anymore. My mom is so glad that I helped him through this painful experience and he came out a better man than he was before. He’s gone back to his old confident self and helped me change my life by giving me a better relationship with my father. I’m sure with constant support from family and friends, someone else can gain their confidence back too.