Finpecia (finasteride) is predominantly used to treat male pattern baldness (also sometimes called androgenetic alopecia). The active ingredient, finasteride, is used in other conditions---such as benign prostatic hyperplasia---but usually at higher doses. Finpecia is only available in 1 mg tablets, the standard dose for male pattern baldness.

If looking for finasteride in higher doses, try Fincar.

Male pattern baldness most often effects middle-age or older men, but there are exceptions; some men start losing their hair in their late teens. Finpecia should not be used without explicit doctor approval in young men who may not have reached sexual maturity.

Though rare, women sometimes utilize finasteride as well, usually in lower doses such as offered by Finpecia. Again it should only be used with doctor approval, and doctor instructions regarding use should be followed closely. Finpecia should not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding under any circumstances.

A Real Treatment for Male Pattern Baldness

Finpecia works---2 out of 3 men who take it regrow lost hair, while the remainder may not regrow hair but will halt further hair loss.

The mechanism by which Finpecia works is complex. Put simply, it inhibits conversion of the hormone testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. Dihydrotestosterone plays a role in male pattern baldness, as well as genetic factors. Inhibition helps stop and reverse the condition. Note that men who have low testosterone levels or who are supplementing testosterone should not take Finpecia.

Male pattern baldness is not the only cause of baldness; for best results a doctor will be seen prior to starting treatment. If dihydrotestosterone is not a factor in the baldness, Finpecia will not produce results.

Dosage & Administration

Finpecia comes in tablets, which can be taken with or without food according to personal preference. Tablets are taken just once per day. To keep levels of the medication steady in the body, tablets are best taken at the same time each day.

To stop male pattern baldness with Finpecia:

• Take 1 mg once per day.
• Continue treatment for at least 3 months before assessing results.
• Treatment may continue indefinitely.

Most men will not notice significant results before the 3-month mark. Around 3 months hair regrowth should be visible, though it may take a bit longer for some individuals.

Finpecia is not a cure; if treatment ends, hair loss will likely resume within 12 months. For this reason treatment often spans years.

Studies indicate that there's no particular benefit to be had from taking higher doses when a small dose produces results; if experiencing regrowth on 1 mg per day, taking 5 mg per day will not cause faster or thicker regrowth.

Potential Side Effects

For the most part Finpecia is well tolerated; side effects are rare, typically mild, and usually transient.

There are two areas of concern, however; prostate cancer and sexual dysfunction.

Prostate cancer is a complex subject and there are many types. In most cases, for most types of prostate cancer, odds of developing it are lower when taking Finpecia. However, though rare, there are some types that are more likely to develop with Finpecia use. It is beyond the scope of this article to go into details about this subject; men---particularly those with a family history of prostate cancer---should discuss risks with a doctor prior to taking Finpecia.

About 4 to 15 percent of men taking Finpecia's active ingredient experienced sexual dysfunction in studies. Risk may be on the low end with the lower doses offered by Finpecia, but there is still a risk. Sexual side effects include:

• Inability to acheive or maintain an erection firm enough for intercourse
• Decreased libido
• Difficulty ejaculating
• Reduced ejaculate

Again in studies, men who experienced the above effects usually did so in the first year of use. From year 2 and on sexual side effects were indistinguishable from those experienced by men taking placebo. In most, but not all, cases sexual side effects completely reversed when use of the medication stopped.

Any concerning or unusual side effects from Finpecia should be brought to the attention of a doctor. There are alternative treatments that may be more suitable, or other medications that may suppress a given side effect.