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How does propecia work?
Propecia contains the active ingredient finasteride which is a class of medication known as a type II 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, that works to prevent the conversion of testosterone to the stronger sex hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone, DHT, is formed on the scalp when testosterone and the enzyme type II 5-alpha reductase react with each other. The created sex hormone gets into the hair follicles and works to damage and shrink them, preventing visible hair from being grown. As Propecia helps to inhibit this process the amount of DHT on both the scalp and in a patients blood which in turn can cause a reversal of the balding process.
This treatment is taken orally once a day and must be taken for as long as you wish to keep the results of using this treatment. Results can be expected within 3 months of taking this treatment, with a slowing down and prevention of further hair loss being initially experienced. Within 6-12 months it is possible for hair to re-grow and within 5 years this can result in a full head of hair depending on how well you react with this treatment.
Will Propecia work for me?
Propecia has been proven to work in as high as 99% of men suffering with male pattern hair loss. Out of these, around 2 out of 3 will experience hair growth with the majority of remaining patients successfully preventing any further loss of hair. Propecia has been designed specifically to work on the vertex and the anterior mid-scalp area, there is currently no evidence to suggest that this treatment will work to prevent or restore a receding hair of the temporal area on both sides of the head.
What are the possible side effects of Propecia?
Like all prescription products, Propecia may cause side effects. In American clinical studies, side effects from Propecia were uncommon and did not affect most men. A small number of men experienced certain sexual side effects. These men reported one or more of the following: less desire for sex; difficulty in achieving an erection; and, a decrease in the amount of semen. Each of these side effects occurred in less than 2% of men. These side effects went away in men who stopped taking Propecia. They also disappeared in most men who continued taking Propecia.
In general use, the following have been reported: allergic reactions including rash, itching, hives and swelling of the lips and face; problems with ejaculation; breast tenderness and enlargement; and testicular pain.
Tell your GP promptly about these or any other unusual side effects.
Propecia can affect a blood test called PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) for the screening of prostate cancer. If you have a PSA test done, you should tell your doctor / GP that you are taking Propecia.
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