Propecia

Propecia was the first prescription treatment approved for male pattern baldness and is widely regarded as the most effective hair loss treatment due to its performance under clinical trials. Available since 1997, it has undergone extensive testing which have shown that Propecia has stopped further hair loss in over 90% of men with two-thirds of men in the studies actually experiencing natural hair regrowth.

Most men will begin to notice the results within three to six months of use, with hair loss being reduced and in certain cases, hair may begin to grow back. By month nine, they should be able to maintain the hair they have, and sometimes partially regrow the hair they've lost.

Male pattern baldness, particularly at a younger age can have devastating effects on self-esteem. The immediate benefit of taking prescription Propecia (finasteride) tablets is to aid in the slowing down of hair loss, and hopefully restore partial if not full regrowth of hair from in the affected areas.

• Slow your male pattern baldness within just 3 months of beginning treatment
• Enjoy the possibility of hair regrowth within a year
• Single daily tablet, no inconvenient creams or lotions

Initial benefits (cessation of hair loss) are usually seen within 3-6 months of use, although it may need to be used for up to a year until notable improvements are experienced. Clinical studies have also shown that men who used an anti-inflammatory shampoo in conjunction with Propecia experienced the best results. In addition to this, diets including high levels of protein and iron from foods such as vegetables, fish, eggs and beans have been known to also promote hair growth and quality of hair.

This hair loss treatment has been proven to be effective in as many as 90% of cases. The principal ingredient, finasteride, is a long-term treatment for hair loss, and has been tested in a prominent five-year clinical trial. The study measured hair count in men with mild to moderate hair loss. The breakdown of the results were as follows:

• At 12 months, less than 1 in 5 men who were treated experienced any further hair loss
• In men treated for up to 2 years, over 70% of men in the placebo group displayed hair loss, compared with 33% of men using Propecia displaying no further hair loss
• At 5 years, 90% of the men treated with Propecia had no visible hair loss compared to just 25% of those on placebo

After 2 Years		After 5 Years
66%(353 of 535) hair regrowth33%(177 of 535) no further hair loss1%(5 of 535) lost hair		27%(134 of 279) hair regrowth63%(177 of 279) no further hair loss10%(28 of 279) lost hair

Propecia and prostate cancer

The active ingredient, finasteride is also said to provide some benefits in combating benign prostate enlargement in men. However, it has also been shown to be successful in minimising a man's chance of developing prostate cancer. It is not however prescribed for these purposes.^[2]

Some men are susceptible to the negative effects of a testosterone by-product known as (DHT), and this sensitivity is the major contributing factor in male pattern baldness.

The active ingredient in Propecia tablets - finasteride, works by preventing the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. Whilst the breakdown of testosterone is a natural process, some men are overly-sensitive to DHT, in this case, the DHT attacks the hair follicles eventually causing hair to slowly fall out. This treatment works by getting to the root of the problem, by eliminating the compounds that cause alopecia, thereby stopping or sometimes reversing the process which could lead to better, healthier hair growth.

One tablet should be taken daily, orally. It can be taken at any time, with or without food. If you forget to take your daily dose of Propecia, you do not need to take an extra tablet, just continue as normal. Do not take a double dose to make up for the one you have missed.

If you miss more than one tablet, please refer to the patient leaflet found below, or speak to your doctor.

Also, it's important to note that taking more than your specified dosage does not make Propecia work any faster. You will need to take the tablets for three or more consecutive months before you see the most positive results. Long-term usage is advised in order gain the maximum benefits. Once you've stopped taking your treatment, balding may resume within 6 to 12 months.

Propecia only comes in the 1mg dosage and is available in 1, 3, 6 and 9 month courses. All UK prescription medicines are tested to ensure that the dose you receive is the most effective with the least amount of side effects. The Propecia 1mg dose makes it a very convenient treatment, as it is simply taken once daily.

Propecia is also not prescribed for used by women or children and although it is prescribed for use by men with hair loss, there are certain conditions that may prevent the use of this treatment. These may include:

• Pregnant women, who should avoid handling crushed or broken tablets
• Those with an alcohol problem
• Those with prostate cancer

Please speak to your GP if you're going to have a blood test for prostate cancer.

There are various NHS resources available with additional information.^[3]

Side effects from taking finasteride are not very common. However, a small number of men may experience certain side effects such as:

• Erectile problems
• Loss of libido
• Ejaculatory issues

Rarer side effects of this treatment include:

• Depression
• Breast growth
• Pain in the testicles

If you do experience any of these side effects and they persist, then stop using the treatment and speak with your GP as soon as you can.

It is safe to buy Propecia (finasteride) online here at HealthExpress as we ensure your safety is paramount above all. We ask that you first fill out the quick medical consultation before ordering so that one of the reviewing doctors can ensure it is safe for your use. When approved, you can then receive your hair loss treatment the very next day (same day if in London).