What to Expect When Starting Finasteride
What to Expect When Starting Finasteride
Table of Contents
II. Does Finasteride Cause Hair Shedding?
III. How Long Do I Need to Take Finasteride?
If you're considering starting finasteride to treat hair loss, you probably have a lot of questions about what to expect. How long until I see results? What side effects should I watch out for?
In this article, we'll walk you through everything you can expect when starting finasteride, from how it works to when you'll start seeing hair regrowth.
How Does Finasteride Work?
Finasteride works by blocking a key enzyme involved in the process of male pattern baldness. Specifically, it targets an enzyme known as Type II 5a-reductase, which plays an important role in converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). 1
DHT serves some important purposes over the course of a man’s life:
- During early development, DHT is crucial for the formation of male genitalia.
- During adolescence and adulthood, DHT promotes prostate growth, male pattern baldness, and the growth of body and facial hair. 2
In men with male pattern baldness, the hair follicles in balding areas of the scalp have been weakened over time by exposure to DHT. The scalp tissue in these areas also has higher levels of DHT compared to hairy areas of the scalp. 2
By inhibiting the 5a-reductase enzyme, finasteride reduces DHT levels, which blocks the main mechanism that drives male pattern baldness. In other words, finasteride works by directly targeting the root cause of hair loss in most men. 2
How Long Does It Take Finasteride to Start Working?
As soon as you take finasteride, it starts blocking the production of DHT, the hormone responsible for hair loss. In fact, finasteride reduces DHT by 65% within 24 hours of oral dosing. 1
However, regrowing a full head of hair takes time and patience. According to the FDA, you can expect to see the first signs of new hair growth after taking finasteride daily for at least three months. 1 But the most dramatic results happen over the long run.
In a two-year clinical trial, researchers found that long-term use of finasteride led to progressively better results:
- After one year of use, hair count increased by 14% on average.
- After two years of use, hair count increased by 16% on average. 3
So, if you just started taking finasteride, don't get discouraged if you're not seeing big changes yet. With daily use over time, your hair will continue to fill in and regain its thickness.
Does Finasteride Cause Hair Shedding?
If you've recently started taking finasteride, you may notice more hairs than usual coming out when you shampoo or style your hair. This temporary increase in hair shedding is actually a good sign that the medication is working. 4 Here's a look at what's going on.
Each hair follicle progresses through phases of:
- Growth (anagen)
- Transition (catagen)
- Rest (telogen)
- Shedding (exogen) 4
When you begin taking finasteride, follicles that are resting are stimulated to enter the growth phase prematurely. But before those follicles can produce new hairs, the old resting hairs must shed. 4
So, the shedding you notice after starting finasteride is simply making way for new, healthy hair to push through. Some people may experience the finasteride shed as early as two weeks into treatment, while others may not notice it until two to three months of treatment. 4
How Long Do I Need to Take Finasteride?
Finasteride is designed to be a long-term hair loss treatment, not just a temporary fix. Here's why consistency and commitment are key with this medication:
Finasteride works by blocking the hormone DHT, which is responsible for shrinking hair follicles and leading to male pattern baldness over time. By inhibiting DHT, finasteride allows hair follicles to recover and regrow stronger, thicker strands. 1
But this effect only lasts as long as you keep taking the medication. If you stop taking finasteride, DHT levels will rise again within a few months. Studies show that any regrowth you achieve will quickly reverse within about 12 months. 1
Finasteride Side Effects
Like any medication, finasteride can lead to unwanted side effects in some men. The most common issues reported in clinical trials were related to sexual dysfunction, including:
- Decreased libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Decreased volume of ejaculate 1
If you notice any of these side effects, talk to your doctor right away. They may be able to suggest lifestyle changes or other treatments to help counteract these effects.
Conclusion
Finasteride can be a game changer for men suffering from hair loss. By blocking DHT, the main hormonal culprit behind male pattern baldness, finasteride stops hair loss in its tracks and even helps regrow hair.
If you're considering starting finasteride, it's important to know what to expect. Once you get your finasteride prescription, you'll have a consultation with a doctor who will walk you through everything. They'll explain how finasteride works, go over potential side effects, and make sure you understand how to take it properly.
References
- FDA Propecia (Finasteride) tablets for oral use
- Kinter, K. J., Amraei R., and Anekar A. A. Biochemistry, Dihydrotestosterone
- Shapiro, J. & Kaufman, K. D. Use of finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss)
- Sciacca, L. Finasteride shedding: Everything you need to know