{"id":31099,"date":"2021-09-28T08:00:44","date_gmt":"2021-09-28T08:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.edrugstore.com\/blog\/?p=31099"},"modified":"2021-09-24T16:12:08","modified_gmt":"2021-09-24T16:12:08","slug":"what-does-finasteride-do-to-your-body","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.edrugstore.com\/blog\/hair-growth\/finasteride\/what-does-finasteride-do-to-your-body\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does Finasteride Do to Your Body? [+ Other FAQs]"},"content":{"rendered":"

Overview:<\/strong>
\nFinasteride<\/a>, sold as Propecia and Proscar, is an antiandrogen that decreases dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It\u2019s used to treat hair loss and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, also called an enlarged prostate) in men. Overall, side effects are rare, although men at risk for prostate cancer or living with erectile dysfunction should discuss using finasteride with their doctor.<\/p>\n

What Does Finasteride Do to the Body?<\/h3>\n

Finasteride reduces the amount of dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, in your body. Medically speaking, it inhibits the action of the enzyme 5\u03b1-reductase, which converts testosterone to DHT.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019re past puberty, DHT\u2019s job in the body is largely to maintain the seminal vesicles, prostate, and male sexual function. When DHT is out of whack, you get benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. The prostate compresses the urinary tract from both sides, making it more difficult to start or stop urinating and making it hard to empty the bladder.<\/p>\n

Finasteride in a 5 milligram daily dose can help balance DHT levels<\/a> for men with enlarged prostates to help them go to the bathroom more easily.<\/p>\n

DHT, like other androgens, can also affect hair. Hair follicles have a natural cycle where they regrow from a root before entering a resting phase. The follicle falls out, and a new root grows. Androgens can inhibit this cycle and interfere with the growth of the root, leading to thinner and more brittle hair. The medical name for this is androgenic alopecia.<\/p>\n

Thus, reducing the amount of DHT in your body with a 1 milligram daily dose of finasteride makes it easier on your follicles. It causes hair to grow fuller and stronger and allows the natural hair cycle to continue.<\/p>\n

\"Medical<\/p>\n

Do I Need A Prescription for Finasteride?<\/h3>\n

Yes, but generally speaking, you can get a prescription for finasteride with a telehealth consult (including here at eDrugstore). Finasteride is viewed as \u201cgenerally considered safe,\u201d with major side effects being rare and none that are medically dangerous.<\/p>\n

What are Finasteride\u2019s Contraindications?<\/h3>\n

As of this writing, there are no drugs identified that might interact with the body in finasteride, and if you enjoy grapefruit for breakfast or a drink with dinner, that\u2019s also shown no impact<\/a>. That said, if you have a hormone disorder or believe you might have one, you should get tested before using finasteride to avoid any possible complications.<\/p>\n

There is some evidence that herbal supplements like St. John’s wort<\/a> may reduce the efficacy of finasteride, but research into this topic is ongoing. As a general rule, if you\u2019re taking prescription medication, it\u2019s best to avoid herbal supplements to limit possible interactions.<\/p>\n

Does Finasteride Have Side Effects? How Common are They?<\/h3>\n

Overall, it\u2019s been found that side effects of finasteride are rare<\/a>, and they tend to decrease over time<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The most commonly reported symptoms include:<\/p>\n