Article: What is Propecia? Hair Loss and Propecia. Propecia and Erectile Dysfunction.
What is Propecia?
Propecia is a drug used for the treatment of falling hair and balding spot. It was developed as a remedy for mild to moderate hair loss caused by male pattern baldness on either the top or the middle front of the head. So far, no conclusive clinical studies can show of its effectiveness in treating receding hairline in the temples.
Its generic name is Finasteride. The generic drug Finasteride is used to inhibit the enzyme that triggers the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone or DHT. In low doses, it is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia or BHP, which is an abnormal increase in the size of the prostate. In higher doses, it is used to treat prostrate cancer.
The amount of Finasteride in Propecia is only 1 mg as compared to other hair loss drug such as Proscar which amounts to about 5 mg. The 1 mg amount of Finasteride is generally the prescribed amount of Finasteride used for hair loss treatment.
Hair Loss and Propecia
Male pattern baldness is the most common form of hair loss. It is within the range of 90 to 95 percent of hair loss cases in men. Statistically, half of all men experience baldness by age 50. The typical hair loss is manifested with a receding hairline and the formation of a balding spot on the crown. It is a progressive condition and when left untreated, the balding will continue to cover the top of the head until only hair on the sides and the nape remains.
Hair loss experts believe that the condition can be inherited from either side of the family and that its main proponent is DHT. There have been many myths attributed to the cause of hair loss such as dandruff, poor hair care and even sexual activity; but hair loss is basically more a cause of genetics rather than from external causes.
The drug Propecia works by reducing the amount of DHT or dihydrotestosterone, a derived hormone from testosterone that plays a crucial role in the function of the central nervous system. Reducing the amount of DHT in the scalp also reduces the chances of hair follicle shrinkage, which is a result of DHT altering the protein synthesis of the hair follicle causing its shrinkage. Propecia, therefore, helps and promotes the regrowing of hair follicles.
Daily administration of propecia will give you noticeable results within 3 months. If administration of the drug is stopped -- over a 12 month period -- the positive effects brought about by the drug will gradually go away. If over a period of 12 months there are no positive effects observed, further treatment should be stopped since the drug treatment is very unlikely to be of further benefit.
A 5 year study of men suffering from mild to moderate hair loss revealed that 48 % experienced a regrowth of hair because of Propecia drug treatment while 42 % has no further experience of hair loss. The result of the study is conclusive: the positive effects of Propecia is only effected with the continuous use of the drug .
Propecia and Erectile Dysfunction
There have been rumors of the side effects from Propecia treatment, which includes low libido and erectile dysfunction. Some Propecia users also reported that even after stopping the treatment, the erectile dysfunction seems to remain.
For men, being impotent or suffering from erectile dysfunction is the worst nightmare that can ever happen. Worst than even losing hair. Therefore, if you are thinking of taking Propecia, you should be wary of its side effects and be prepared to take steps to counter them.
As a precaution (since not all men experience erectile dysfunction as a side effect), when you are under Propecia treatment, perform adequate exercises and take multivitamins everyday. Physical exercises have been found to keep the testosterone level high. Vitamins and supplements that provides a dosage of Zinc can also help the body produce enough testosterone and maintain high libido during sexual intercourse.
Studies have also found that erectile dysfunction when using Propecia is caused by the conversion of testosterone into estrogen that is caused by an enzyme called aromaterase. Thus, if you are under Propecia, eat a lot of Chrysin, a bioflavonoid, and Indole-3-carbinol that is present in vegetables such as brussel sprouts, broccoli and cabbage. These vegetables are said to help prevent the action of the enzyme aromaterase and therefore prevent erectile dysfunction.
Other than the natural way, men suffering from erectile dysfunction as a side effect can consult their doctor for any prescription of anti-impotency drugs such as Viagra or Cialis. Also, through consultation, your doctor can rule out the real cause of your erectile dysfunction. It may or may not be from Propecia and it would be best for you to know the root cause.