With around 6.5 million men affected by some form of hair loss across the UK, many are looking for an effective solution. One option is Propecia, a medication to treat male pattern hair loss, and can even promote some new hair growth. This article will have a closer look into how Propecia actually works to reduce hair loss and guide you on how best to take the medication itself, helping you decide if Propecia is the best treatment option for you.
What is Propecia?
Propecia is the brand name version of finasteride; a medication that effectively treats hair loss associated with male androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness. Finasteride can also be used in the treatment of an enlarged prostate.
Propecia belongs to a type of medication called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors – it blocks the action of 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme which facilitates the conversion of testosterone into another hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT limits the flow of blood to hair follicles, causing shrinkage and death of the follicles, in turn resulting in areas of balding.
By blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT, Propecia allows the hair follicles to return to their original size, reducing the number of hairs falling out and allowing for thicker hair to grow in the scalp.
There are other hair loss treatment options available, with differing active ingredients and methods of application. Propecia is taken orally, rather than being applied topically which can make it easier to take the medication. It is also highly effective, with around 90% of men experiencing less hair loss.
However despite its effectiveness in men, Propecia is not recommended for women. Due to its action on testosterone, its effects are limited since women have a naturally lower testosterone level. Also, Propecia is contraindicated in pregnant women as it can be harmful to the development of the child.
Take an assessment to order Propecia online from £41.65
How Much Propecia Should I Take Per Day?
To treat hair loss, the typical dose of Propecia is a 1 mg oral tablet. This tablet should be taken once a day and it can be taken with or without food.
It is recommended to try and take your Propecia around the same time each day. This will help you build a long-term routine and encourage you to not forget a dose. You can purchase varying pack sizes of Propecia ranging from 28 to 168 tablets right here from Simple Online Pharmacy.
It is very understandable and easy to miss a dose of your Propecia. If this happens, it is important that you do not take 2 tablets to make up for the missed dose. A rough guideline for dealing with a missed Propecia dose is a 6 hour window.
If you have realised that you have forgotten to take your Propecia and it is less than six hours from the time you usually take it, you can take your Propecia the same day as soon as you remember. However, if it is after six hours to when your dose is due, then do not take your dose of Propecia. You can continue taking your usual doses as normal the next day.
Most patients will see some improvement after 3 to 6 months of daily Propecia, with thicker hair and possibly spots of hair regrowth. After 12 months, you should experience noticeable changes including less hair falling out from the scalp and improved regrowth of hair. It is important to take the once-daily dose of Propecia regularly. If missed, then your hair loss will return.
It should be noted that this is a slow process – you cannot speed up the action of Propecia. It will not work faster or better if you take more than one tablet in a day. However, taking too much Propecia can lead to an increased risk of developing side effects.
These may include erectile dysfunction, depression and discharge from your nipples. If you feel unwell after taking Propecia or experience any adverse effects, then it is important that you talk to your doctor or a healthcare professional as soon as possible to receive appropriate treatment and to discuss whether or not Propecia is the best treatment option for you.
