Posts Tagged ‘propecia’

PROPECIA FOR MEN WITH MALE-PATTERN BALDNESS

// October 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // Hormones

Symptoms of balding are not subtle. Men will note some early hair loss simply by looking in the mirror. Almost all men experience, and accept, some thinning of the hair as they age, but when there is an accelerated hair loss at an early age, men do become concerned. The 1-mg finasteride pill sold under the name of Propecia is prescribed for younger men who are troubled by the distinctive and selective pattern of hair loss, commonly referred to as male-pattern baldness.

The striking observation that scalp hair loss (balding) never occurs in men with low serum DHT levels was the stimulus for this research. Doctors were to determine whether lowering a man’s DHT level would reverse or slow down the rate at which he became bald. Only limited studies have been done on this topic, but those that are available indicate that the 1-mg dose of finasteride (Propecia) does lower serum DHT levels by about 65 percent and slows down the rate of hair loss in men with male-pattern baldness. Hair growth resumes with continued use of Propecia and starts to fill in areas that had started to bald. But proving this turned out to be an unusually onerous task.

Balding studies are more difficult to do than studies on urinary flow and prostate size. To give you an example of how demanding this research is, consider the following. In evaluating the effect of finasteride on prostate symptoms, all investigators had to do was ask their patients to fill out a questionnaire on their patterns of urination and arrange for ultrasound studies to determine prostate size before and after treatment.

To do hair-loss studies, doctors had to identify and mark out a single twoinch circular area on the top of a man’s scalp as the target area. Then at each visit, they had to count one by one each and every hair in that target area before, during, and after treatment. The results of two combined studies involving more than 1,500 men yielded the following. Men who had 876 hairs in the target area before had on average 983 hairs after treatment, for a net gain of 107 hairs after one year. This does not seem like much but may be enough for those who are distressed by their hair loss. Men with male-pattern baldness age 18-41 years who take Propecia seem to be pleased with the results.

Side effects were similar to what was observed when the 5-mg finasteride (Proscar) dose was used to treat BPH. Sexual side effects, including impotence, loss of sex drive (libido), and ejaculatory problems, occur in about 4 percent of men who take finasteride at this lower 1-mg dose. This once again raises questions about the importance of DHT as a sexually significant male hormone.

Male Pattern Baldness and Propecia

// October 13th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Hair loss

The best person to talk to about male pattern hair loss is your doctor

Since many men suffer from male pattern hair loss, it is common for doctors to help these patients. In fact, millions of men have approached their doctors for help.

Your doctor can help you separate fact from fiction when it comes to hair loss products. They know from their experience with their patients what has worked, what treatments are available, and what might work for you. They are the best equipped to listen to your concerns and answer your questions.

Be prepared

Be open and honest with your doctor about your male pattern hair loss. Express your expectation and the desire you have to maintain or possibly re-grow your hair. You will also make the most of your doctor visit by being prepared with any questions you might have about male pattern hair loss and treatment options.

The gateway to treating your male pattern hair loss begins at your doctor’s office. Take that first step now, because the sooner you begin treatment, the more hair you will most likely have later.

Questions to ask your doctor about Propecia

Your doctor will be sensitive to you and your concerns; he or she is there to help. Below is a printable list of questions that may help you get started with your doctor.

I’m concerned about male pattern hair loss. What are the treatment options?

What can I expect from these treatments?

Which treatment option works best to maintain and/or re-grow hair?

What is PROPECIA?

How does PROPECIA work?

What have other patients for whom you’ve prescribed PROPECIA said about it?

Is PROPECIA right for me?

Will it help me maintain the hair I already have?

What kind of results can I expect?

What is the safety profile of PROPECIA?

How long will I have to take PROPECIA before I see any results?

Important Information about PROPECIA

PROPECIA was developed to treat mild to moderate male pattern hair loss on the vertex (top of head) and anterior mid-scalp area (middle front of head) in MEN ONLY. There is not sufficient evidence that PROPECIA works for receding hairlines at the temples.

PROPECIA is for the treatment of male pattern hair loss in MEN ONLY and should NOT be used by women or children.

You should not use PROPECIA if you are allergic to finasteride or any of the ingredients of PROPECIA.

Women who are or may potentially be pregnant must not use PROPECIA and should not handle crushed or broken PROPECIA tablets because the active ingredient may cause abnormalities of a male baby’s sex organs. If a woman who is pregnant comes into contact with the active ingredient in PROPECIA, a doctor should be consulted. PROPECIA tablets are coated and will prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling provided that the tablets are not broken or crushed.

Although results will vary, generally you will not be able to grow back all the hair you have lost.

When you could see results

Take PROPECIA daily and you could see results in as little as 3 months. If you stop taking PROPECIA, however, your results will gradually go away over 12 months. And if PROPECIA hasn’t worked in 12 months, further treatment is unlikely to be of benefit.

Know the facts. PROPECIA is available by prescription only, so the best thing to do is talk to your doctor.

Well that was all I could do, so then I phoned a few hair doctors.

Doctor one, he was not a doctor at all, just a sale man in a rented room in a good address in Dublin.

Doctor two, a woman, when I met her she was about twenty one years of age, I was not going to tell some child my problems,

Doctor four, worked some down south in the country and would see me if I sent him 500 euros in advance, I never sent the money.