How Does Finasteride Work?

Finasteride is a medication that can be used to treat two common conditions that affects many men over their lifetime: male androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern hair loss, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (an enlarged prostate). It is an oral medication taken daily that has shown promising and effective results in the majority of the men that use it.

This article will look in further detail at how finasteride actually works, and how it helps to reduce hair loss and treat enlarged benign prostates. We will also discuss how long it might take for you to notice results from the use of finasteride. 

Does Finasteride Lower Testosterone?

Finasteride is a type of medication known as a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. This means that it works to block 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme, and its effects. 5-alpha reductase helps with the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT plays multiple vital roles within the body but we are going to focus on its effect on scalp hair growth and the prostate. 

DHT can cause hair loss as a result of shrinkage of the hair follicles found in the scalp. This shrinkage is caused by overstimulation of the hair follicle and a reduction in the nutrient supply to the follicle, both due to the action of DHT. 

This results in thinner, shorter hair that falls out more easily and, over time, this can lead to the balding pattern seen in male pattern baldness. DHT also has an effect on the size of the prostate – increased levels of DHT cause increased prostate size.

Finasteride works to counteract the effects of DHT on hair growth and prostate size. By blocking 5-alpha reductase, it therefore blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT. With reduced levels of DHT hormone, the hair follicles on the scalp are of normal size allowing thicker, healthier hair to grow. 

Finasteride can promote increased regrowth of hair and prevent further hair loss from the scalp. It also can help with an enlarged benign prostate as prostate size will decrease due to lower levels of DHT and increased levels of testosterone. 

So, finasteride actually does not decrease levels of testosterone – but, its action of blocking 5-alpha reductase, means that less testosterone will be converted into DHT, leaving more testosterone unconverted. This can lead to a short-term rise in testosterone levels that may affect some. However, this is temporary and your body will regulate your hormone levels back to normal. 

How Long Does Finasteride Take to Work?

When it comes to treating hair loss, unfortunately, there is no hard and fast rule for how long it might take for finasteride to start to work. It is important to remember that everyone is different and, as with any type of medication, finasteride treatment will have different results and effects depending on the person taking the treatment.

That being said, for treating the hair loss associated with male pattern baldness, it takes around 3-6 months to notice any real effects of finasteride. You notice an initial reduction in hair loss when you start taking your finasteride medication but it is recommended to continue taking finasteride for a longer period of time of 12 months to see significant improvements. For a benign enlarged prostate, you would need to take finasteride regularly for at least 6 months before your symptoms begin to improve. 

You may notice an increase in hair shedding when you start taking finasteride; this is completely normal. As your hair follicles get more blood flow to them, they will shed their original hair growth in order to grow new hair that is thicker and stronger.

You may also notice increased hair growth, even from some spots at the edge of your hairline. These follicles have been in senescence – a sort of stasis before they die off. Once blood flow has been re-established, they may begin producing hair again, leading to thicker and fuller hair. This hair regrowth is not guaranteed, however.

However, you will only experience the benefits of finasteride for as long as you take the treatment. If you stop taking finasteride then it is likely that your hair loss or your enlarged prostate symptoms will return. 

So, it is important to take finasteride regularly every day to see improvements even if you feel as though your symptoms have gone away. Ensuring that you take finasteride every day will allow the best possible chance for finasteride to have its effect and allow you to see noticeable and significant improvements in your symptoms long-term.

There is a chance that finasteride may not be the correct medication for you. This could be due to not experiencing a change in symptoms despite taking finasteride for a long period of time or due to side effects. 

Finasteride, like any medication, can cause adverse effects when taking it long term. These include erectile dysfunction, reduced libido and low moods. If you experience any side effects, it is important that you talk to your doctor to see what is the best next step for you.