Posts Tagged ‘Hormonal Effects’
About Propecia
Propecia is used for the treatment of male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in men with established efficacy in ages between 18 to 41 years. But, hair re-growth is possible only in men with mild to moderate hair loss of the vertex and anterior mid-scalp area. However, the efficacy of Propecia has not been established in men with bitemporal recession.
Finasteride, the main ingredient in Propecia, blocks the conversion of testosterone into DHT, thereby stopping hair loss and aiding in hair re-growth. Finasteride comes in tablet form and is available in strength of 1mg only for hair loss treatment. In addition, numerous side effects have been reported with this drug, including impotence, decreased libido, and breast enlargement.
Brand-name finasteride (Proscar or Propecia) is manufactured by Merck and Co., Inc.
About Male Pattern Baldness
Male pattern baldness is a universal condition found in men who experience thinning of the hair on the scalp which starts with a gradual decline in men in their 20s. Oftentimes, this thinning of hair results in a receding hairline and/or balding on the top of the head.
It is generally believed by the doctors that male pattern baldness is by and large due to heredity and in addition, depends on hormonal effects also. This type of hair loss is generally referred to as androgenetic alopecia.
Hair is made up of hair follicles which are tiny pouch like bags found just under the surface of the skin. A single hair will stay in the follicle for about 3 years which is then shed and a new hair grows from the same follicle. This cycle of growth, shedding and new growth goes on throughout one’s life. The following pattern thought to occur in men as they gradually become bald which includes:
• Affected hair follicles on the scalp gradually become smaller than normal
• As the follicle shrinks, each new hair is thinner than the previous one
• Before falling out, each new hair grows for much less time than the normal 3 years or so
• Eventually, all that remains is a much smaller hair follicle and a thin stump of hair that does not grow out to the skin surface
Male hormones are responsible for these changes. Hair follicles convert testosterone, the male hormone, into another hormone called dihydrotestosterone. For reasons not yet unveiled, affected hair follicles become more sensitive to dihydrotestosterone, which causes the hair follicles to shrink. However, it is known that different hair follicles are affected at different times which make the balding process gradual.
Moreover, it is also not clear why only scalp hair is affected, and not the hair in the other areas like the beard or the armpits in men. But, male pattern baldness occurs gradually over time. Similarly, Propecia also has a gradual effect on hair re-growth.
Propecia for Men Hair Loss treatment
For most men, Propecia aids in increasing the number of scalp hair in the first year of treatment itself. Propecia helps to fill in the thin or balding areas of the scalp. In addition, hair loss slows down. Although, the results may vary, generally it is not possible to re-grow all of the lost hair. However, there is no proof as to Propecia working in the treatment of receding hairline in the temporal area on both sides of the head.
Propecia must be taken daily for three months or more before any benefit can be seen. Known to work over the long term, Propecia is an ongoing treatment for hair re-growth. However, if Propecia has not worked for you in twelve months, further treatment is not likely to bring any benefit. In addition, if Propecia intake is stopped, there will be a likely loss in the hair that was gained within 12 months of stopping treatment.
How does Propecia work?
Finasteride, the main ingredient in Propecia, is a competitive and specific inhibitor of Type II 5a-reductase, an intracellular enzyme that converts the androgen testosterone into DHT. Two distinct isozymes found in humans, Type I and II, are differentially expressed in tissues at different developmental stages. In humans, Type I 5a-reductase is predominant in the sebaceous glands including the scalp and liver and is responsible for approximately one-third of circulating DHT. Meanwhile, Type II 5a-reductase isozyme is primarily found in the prostate, seminal vesicles, epididymides, hair follicles and the liver and is responsible for two-thirds of the circulating DHT.
In humans, finateride’s mechanism of action is primarily based on its preferential inhibition of the Type II isozyme. For both isozymes, finasteride inhibits and reduces the inhibitor to dihydrofinasteride. The turnover for the enzyme complex is slow and therefore the hair re-growth is slow.
Finasteride has no similarity with the androgen receptor and has no androgenic, antiandrogenic, estrogenic, antiestrogenic, or progestational effects. Propecia produces a rapid reduction in serum DHT concentration and has the ability to reach about 65% suppression within 24 hours of taking the 1mg oral dose.
In men with androgenetic alopecia, the balding scalp contains miniaturized hair follicles and increased amounts of DHT as compared to a hairy scalp. Use of Propecia successfully reduces scalp and serum DHT concentrations in these men. By this mechanism, finasteride interrupts a key factor in the progress of androgenetic alopecia in those patients who are genetically predisposed.
Who should buy Propecia?
Propecia has been introduced for the treatment of male pattern hair loss in men and should not be taken by women or children. Propecia can be taken by:
• Men only above the age of 18 years
• Anyone who is not allergic to any of the ingredients of Propecia
Women who are or may potentially be pregnant should not use Propecia or handle crushed or broken Propecia tablets. Because, if a pregnant woman with a male baby absorbs the active ingredient in Propecia, either by swallowing or through the skin, it may cause abnormalities to foetus’ genital organs.
Propecia dosages
Propecia 1mg tablet is meant for oral administration and is the recommended daily dosage. These tablets are film-coated and contain 1mg of finasteride. it may be administered with or without meals.
In general, three months of regular use of Propecia is required before any benefit can be observed. Continuous use is recommended to sustain gained benefits. Withdrawal of treatment will lead to reversal of effect within 12 months.
Coated Propecia tablets help prevent contact with the active ingredient finasteride during normal handling, provided that the tablets are not broken or crushed.
Propecia (finasteride) is a synthetic 4-azasteroid compound and a specific inhibitor of steroid Type II 5a-reductase which is an intracellular enzyme that converts androgen testosterone into 5a-dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
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Male pattern hair loss is the most common form of hair loss, representing close to 95% of all cases of hair loss in men. And about half of all men experience male pattern hair loss by age 50. So if you have male pattern hair loss, you are certainly not alone. People who are facing the problem Baldness have a lot of about the new Hair loss medications that are available in the market. One of these Hair loss medications is Propecia, which is available by prescription only. If you are going bald you should consider using Propecia (Finasteride) to halt or even reverse your hair loss. While there is no “Hair Loss Cure”, hair loss drugs like Propecia can often stop or even reverse alopecia in most people. Studies have shown that almost 80% of men using Propecia stopped or even reversed their hair loss to some degree.
What is male pattern hair loss?
Male pattern hair loss is a common condition in which men experience thinning of the hair on the scalp. Often, this results in a receding hairline and/or balding on the top of the head. These changes typically begin gradually in men in their 20s. Doctors believe male pattern hair loss is due to heredity and is dependent on hormonal effects. Doctors refer to this type of hair loss as androgenetic alopecia.
Propecia (Finasteride) – Hair loss medicine
Baldness, whether permanent or temporary, can’t be cured. But treatments are available to help promote hair growth or hide hair loss. In November 1997, Merck has satisfied the panel of scientific advisors (to the FDA) that Propecia (1mg finasteride) is effective in treating hair loss. In December 1997, the FDA officially approved the drug Propeica as the first ever anti-baldness pill in the world.
Oral finasteride is available in 1mg dosage under the brand name Propecia. The recommended dosage for the treatment of male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) is Propecia (Finasteride) 1mg orally once a day.
About Propecia
Propecia is the first and the only treatment available for male pattern hair loss on the vertex (the top of the head) and the anterior mid scalp area (the middle front of the head). Propecia is a prescription pill that is taken orally. Propecia belongs to the class of drugs known as alpha reductase inhibitors. This Hair loss medication is prescribed to male pattern baldness or Hair loss treatment patients who have being suffered by Hair loss problem. Propecia restricts the action of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) and hence reduces hair loss and controls baldness or alopecia in males.
Today Propecia finasteride is the most popular sought after medication to treat male pattern baldness. Trials have shown an 80% success rate in stopping the hair loss process and 64% have shown an actual reversal or mending of previous balding. Propecia finasteride works only in men. Women are strongly advised to refrain from administering Propecia. Propecia is also not recommended for cancer patients.
What are ingredients in it?
The main ingredient in Propecia is Finasteride. It works by restricting the action of the enzyme type II 5 alpha reductase, which acts on the male hormone testosterone and converts it into dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
How Does Propecia (Finasteride) Works?
Testosterone floating in the bloodstream of the typical adult male routinely combines with an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. The result of this interaction forms the more potent sexual hormone known as DHT (Dihydrotestosterone). DHT plays a primary role in proper sexual organ development during the fetal stage of life, as well as the proper development of secondary male characteristics during puberty.
When a man begins to lose his hair, certain genetically programmed follicles begin to develop DHT receptor sites. The DHT attaches itself to these receptor sites and begins to treat the follicle as a foreign object in the body. This chemical change not only affects hair, can cause itching, inflammation, and oiliness. During this time, the follicle, under the attack of DHT, begins to miniaturize with every growth cycle, until after several years, it simply is too small and short to be seen.
When Propecia is taken, it works to inhibit the formation of DHT in the system. Within a few months, the overall DHT levels will have remained low enough on a constant basis that the adverse effects DHT is having on the follicles will stop, resulting in a cessation of hair loss.
Propecia (Finasteride) Dosage
Propecia (Finasteride 1mg) is indicated for the treatment of male pattern hair loss in MEN ONLY. The recommended dosage is 1mg orally once a day. Propecia may be administered with or without meals. In general, daily use for three months or more is necessary before benefit is observed. Continued use is recommended to sustain benefit, which should be re-evaluated periodically. Withdrawal of treatment leads to reversal of effect within 12 months. You can take finasteride anytime during the daytime, but best to keep taking it the same time each day.
Missed dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Side Effects
Side effects are rare but can include decreased sex drive.
Online Prescription
Propecia (Finasteride) is only available by prescription. Licensed physicians from online pharmacies recommended on propeciafinasteride.co.uk will issue the prescription for you. Get free consultation with a quality physician to get a prescription for Propecia finasteride 1mg for hair loss treatment.
Hair loss is becoming a major health issue for most of the developed nations. In the UK, the population of people directly suffering from this disorder is constantly growing. Read on to learn about a medical treatment that has helped treat this health condition.
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