Tag Archive for: DHT Blocker

How to Avoid Side Effects from Finasteride

If you’ve seen television ads for any medication, you know that almost all of them have potential side effects.  By the time the announcer gets to the end of the (sometimes very long) list, you’re probably wondering why doctors even prescribe the medication in the first place.  But, of course, some medications have more side effects than others.  And, some medications get a bad rap just because one or two out of thousands had unusual reactions.  

Fast forward to Finasteride.  Finasteride, also known as Propecia or Proscar, is often prescribed to treat hair loss due to various conditions.  Finasteride was originally marketed to treat men with enlarged prostates.  During drug trials, doctors noticed that men who took Finasteride as a prostate treatment experienced hair growth.  Finasteride was then FDA-approved to treat hair loss too.  In this case, the side effect was a good one.  However, some male Finasteride users have reported some undesirable sexual side effects.  Should you be concerned?  Not really.  The side effects aren’t typical.  Plus, there are ways to avoid the side effects if that’s a concern.  We’re here to share why you shouldn’t worry if your doctor has prescribed Finasteride to treat your hair loss.         

 

Why is Finasteride Prescribed for Hair Loss?

Finasteride is what’s called a DHT blocker.  DHT is an acronym for dihydrotestosterone, which is an androgen, a male sex hormone. When men and women experience androgenetic alopecia, an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone to DHT.  When this happens, DHT can bind to the receptors on your hair follicles, shrinking the follicles during a process called miniaturization.  Over time,  the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle is reduced.  The result is hair that is shorter and thinner.  Eventually, new hairs become so small that they can’t penetrate the hair follicle.  As a DHT blocker, Finasteride prevents this process from happening, so you maintain your existing hair and continue to grow healthy new hair.    

What Hair Loss Conditions Does Finasteride Treat?

Oral Finasteride is FDA approved to treat androgenetic alopecia, male and female pattern hair loss.  Male and female pattern hair loss is the most prevalent type of alopecia worldwide.  There isn’t a way to predict who will experience pattern hair loss.  The condition is genetic and can be inherited from either the maternal or paternal sides of the family.  There isn’t a specific test to diagnose androgenetic alopecia.  Dermatologists and hair specialists can make the diagnosis by evaluating a patient’s hair loss pattern. 

Finasteride is also used to treat other types of alopecia, including alopecia areata and lichen planopilaris, which are caused by autoimmune conditions.  However, the prescription is considered off label when prescribed to treat hair loss other than androgenetic alopecia.   

Is Finasteride Effective in Preventing Hair Loss and Stimulating Growth

If you’re wondering whether Finasteride is worth the risk of whatever side effects could occur, that’s a valid question.  Although deciding whether to use Finasteride is highly personal, research indicates that Finasteride is highly effective in promoting growth and preventing further hair loss.  Over 80 percent of men who use Finasteride see improvement, and over 65 percent see new hair growth.  Not only that, the results are long-term.  A study of 1879 men indicates that hair count present after one year was maintained during the second year of treatment.

What are Finasteride’s Side Effects?

Side effects caused by oral Finasteride are usually mild and disappear after you stop taking the medicine.  Here are a few signs to watch:

  • Anxiety 
  • Depression
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness
  • Headache
  • Inability to urinate
  • Testicular pain
  • Runny nose
  • Rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, or other signs of an allergic reaction
  • Swelling of your hands or feet

Although these side effects aren’t exactly desirable, they aren’t most mens’ biggest fear.  Most are more concerned about potential sexual side effects such as:

  • Decreased libido
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Decreased semen volume
  • Breast enlargement & tenderness
  • Premature ejaculation

The good news is that these side effects aren’t common.  Some men who do experience the sexual side effects find that their symptoms disappear over time as their bodies acclimate to the medication.  If not, discontinuing the use of Finasteride usually resolves the issue.

How Common are Side Effects from Finasteride?

As mentioned previously, side effects from Finasteride aren’t common.  The main reason is that the dosage typically prescribed to treat alopecia is usually very low, much lower than the dosage prescribed for prostate treatment.  As a matter of fact, only 3.8 percent of men who took Finasteride experienced side effects during the drug’s clinical trials.  That’s compared to 2.1 percent of men who took a placebo.  

Want to Avoid Finasteride Side Effects?  Use Topical Finasteride Instead

If you’re still a little worried about using Finasteride, even though the risk of side effects is low, there’s a simple solution. Use topical Finasteride instead of oral Finasteride.  The topical solution has been proven to be just as effective in treating male and female pattern baldness without the same risk of side effects.  Whereas oral Finasteride is metabolized in your stomach, topical Finasteride is not systemic.  Even better, topical Finasteride has less impact on serum DHT concentrations.  Think of it as a highly effective spot treatment for your hair.     

Research also indicates that combining Minoxidil with Finasteride yields even better results than using either medication alone.  Adverse reactions among patients were rare, indicating that the combined medication is not only a good choice, but a preferable one.  

Are You a Good Candidate for Finasteride?

Finasteride is often prescribed to both men and women to treat androgenetic alopecia.  The medication is generally safe for most people.  There are some exceptions though.  Finasteride is not recommended if you have kidney problems, prostate cancer, liver disease, or any other liver-related issues.  The medication is also not recommended to women who are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

What Should You Do if you Experience sexual or Other Side Effects from Finasteride?

If you think Finasteride is causing side effects, stop taking the medication and contact your dermatologist.  The side effects usually go away after the medication is out of your system.  However, you’ll want to work with your dermatologist to identify a substitute.  

When considering a new medication, it’s important to do your research and feel confident about your choice.  Finasteride is no exception.  If you have questions and are looking for answers, we’re here to help.  Our board-certified dermatologists and hair specialists look forward to giving you the information you need, when you need it, to get the healthiest, most effective hair loss treatment.  

 

Resources:

(01) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9951956/

(02) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9951956/

(03) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34634163/#:~:text=Conclusion%3A%20Topical%20finasteride%20significantly%20improves,impact%20on%20serum%20DHT%20concentrations.

(04) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32166351/

 

DHT Blockers: Fight Hair Loss with These Powerful Weapons

Men are willing to do just about anything besides see a doctor.   Given a choice, 72 percent of men would rather clean the bathroom, mow the lawn, or do any other household chores. A lot of men aren’t even getting their yearly check-ups. (01)   So when it comes to hair loss, not many guys are rush to the dermatologist for a diagnosis and medication.  But they should.  

The most powerful hair loss weapons against male pattern baldness are only available by prescription.  Sure, there’s an endless number of products sold over-the-counter claiming that they work, but the reality is that they aren’t powerful enough to get the job done.  This is true for women who have female pattern baldness too.   

If your hair is thinning or balding, a DHT blocker may be just what the doctor ordered.  Read on to learn more about what DHT is, why DHT is causing your hair loss, and why DHT blockers may be the solution to your hair loss issues.  

What is DHT?

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a sex hormone, known as an androgen.   Androgens are typically produced in males’ testicles and women’s ovaries.  The adrenal glands also produce androgens.  DHT is a little different than other androgens, because it is converted from testosterone.  Men naturally have more testosterone in their bodies than women, however, an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase (5-AR) converts about ten percent of testosterone in all adults to DHT.  

How Does DHT Cause Hair Loss?

When too much testosterone converts into DHT, the excess amounts of DHT interfere with your hair’s growth cycle.  The hair follicles miniaturize, make existing hair fall out, and prevent new hair from breaking through.    

Will a Blood Test Tell Me If I’m Producing Too Much DHT?

It seems logical that DHT levels can be monitored since testosterone levels can be checked.  That’s not the case, though.  DHT levels may fall within the normal range on a blood test but still be elevated enough to cause male or female pattern baldness.  This is especially true if your body is sensitive to DHT.  When testosterone levels increase, DHT has the potential to be an even bigger problem.  

Can I Prevent Androgenetic Alopecia?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to predict whether or not you’re going to lose your hair.  Androgenetic alopecia, male and female pattern baldness, is genetic.  If a family member on either your maternal or paternal side has gone bald, there’s a chance that you could too. The only catch is that you don’t have a way of knowing whose or which genes you inherited.  

Men on testosterone replacement therapy or get testosterone injections often ask if the medication will contribute to their hair loss.  Depending on the patient’s sensitivity, the supplemental testosterone could cause an increase in DHT leading to increased hair loss.  

Is Overproduction of DHT Just a Guy Problem?

When people think of androgenetic alopecia, men typically come to mind.  Bruce Willis, The Rock, Matthew McConaughey, Jeff Bezos are all prime examples.  You don’t see too many bald or balding female celebrities.  The reality is that a significant number of women are affected although the number isn’t as high as it is for men.  One research study found that out of 954 patients diagnosed with pattern baldness, 23.9 percent were women. (02)  Women typically have a lower level of testosterone; however even when lower levels of testosterone convert to DHT, hair loss can occur.  

What Can You Do to Reduce the DHT Levels in your Body?

The most effective way to reduce your DHT level is to use a DHT blocker.  If you’ve been dealing with hair loss issues for a while, you’re probably well aware of the overwhelming number of over-the-counter (OTC) hair loss options.  It’s not unusual for patients to spend a lot of time and money with these products before giving up and turning to their dermatologists for prescription options. 

Prescription DHT blocking medications reduce the amount of 5a-reductase enzyme, which converts testosterone into DHT in your body.  Here are the DHT blockers most commonly prescribed by dermatologists and hair specialists:

Oral & Topical Finasteride 

Finasteride is one of the most well-known DHT blockers.  The medication was FDA approved in 1992 under the name Proscar to treat enlarged prostates and five years later under the name Propecia to treat androgenetic alopecia.  Although both men and women can use Finasteride, it is not recommended for use in women who are or could become pregnant.  

Oral Finasteride is highly effective as a hair loss treatment.  One research study found that 80 percent of participants who took Finasteride saw an increase in hair growth. (03)  However, some people who take oral Finasteride report undesirable sexual side effects, including decreased libido.  A good solution is using topical Finasteride rather than oral.  Topical Finasteride has been proven to be as effective as oral without the side effects in many studies. (04)  

Topical Finasteride Combined With Minoxidil

Minoxidil is not a DHT blocker, but it has an important role in hair growth for people with male and female pattern baldness.  Minoxidil is what’s called a vasodilator.  It enlarges the blood vessels so more oxygen reaches the scalp.  As a result, it makes the hair follicles bigger so new hair can emerge.  Minodixil and Finasteride are a dynamic duo when used together to fight hair loss.  The Finasteride prevents the testosterone from converting into DHT while the Minoxidil ensures that your scalp is conducive to new hair growth.  A research study conducted in 2020 found that the combination of Finasteride and Monoxidil was safe and more effective than monotherapy. (05)

Dutasteride

Dutasteride, also known as Avodart, is another DHT blocker originally developed to treat enlarged prostates.  It is also a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor.  Although Finasteride and Dutasteride work similarly, the medications have some differences.   Whereas Finasteride is FDA-approved to use for hair loss, Dutasteride can only be used off-label.  It has not yet been FDA-approved.  Finasteride is usually highly effective in treating androgenetic alopecia and is typically used as a first-line medication.  In cases where patients need an extra boost, Dutasteride can be helpful.  Research has shown that men who used Dutasteride for 24 weeks had thicker hair than men who used Finasteride. (06) 

Spironolactone

Spironolactone is FDA approved to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and fluid retention due to kidney and liver diseases.  It is not FDA-approved to use for hair loss and is used off-label for women.  Spironolactone typically isn’t prescribed to men because it can cause feminizing side effects.  Like Finasteride and Dutasteride, Spironolactone slows down androgen production.  The medication has been found to be both safe and effective. (07)

How Do DHT Blockers Work?

Now that you have a better idea of what DHT blockers are available, the next question that needs to be answered is how do they work?  The mechanics behind the prescription medications approved or used as DHT blockers are similar.  First, preventing testosterone from converting to DHT inhibits the miniaturization of the hair follicles.  Secondly, when the levels of scalp DHT are lowered, the number of hairs in the anagen phase are maintained or increased.  Think of anagen as the active phase of the hair growth cycle.  This is when the cells in the roots of your hair divide rapidly and form new hair.  Elongating the anagen stage gives your hair more time to grow.  

Get More Information On Prescription DHT Blockers

If you’re experiencing androgenetic alopecia and want more information on DHT blockers, contact us.  If, like many, you haven’t yet been to a dermatologist, free phone consultations are available with board-certified dermatologists and hair specialists.  

Formulas are available for men and women and can even be customized based on your specific needs.  We are happy to remove or add ingredients as needed and appropriate.  You can also see before and after photos of our patients.  You can get an idea of what you can realistically expect to see after using Happy Head hair loss solutions that block the DHT causing your alopecia.

Resources:

(01) https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2019/09/04/cleveland-clinic-survey-men-will-do-almost-anything-to-avoid-going-to-the-doctor/

(02) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5312176/

(03) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15316165/#:~:text=In%20the%20clinical%20evaluation%20at,the%205%25%20topical%20minoxidil%20group.

(04) http://www.bioline.org.br/pdf?dv09011

(05) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32166351/

(06) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6388756/

(07) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3769411/