I have used finasteride before and got side effects?Updated 9 months ago
What to Do If You Experienced Side Effects from Finasteride
If you’ve used finasteride in the past and experienced side effects, it's important to know why these side effects occur and what alternative treatments are available. Here’s a comprehensive guide to understanding the side effects and what you can do next:
Why Patients Experience Side Effects from Finasteride
Systemic Absorption: Oral finasteride works by reducing the levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. However, because it is taken orally, it affects DHT levels throughout the entire body, not just the scalp. This systemic reduction can lead to various side effects.
Hormonal Imbalance: The reduction of DHT can cause an imbalance in other hormones, leading to sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, reduced semen volume), changes in breast tissue (tenderness or enlargement), and psychological effects (depression or anxiety).
Genetic and Biological Factors: Individual genetic and biological differences can make some patients more susceptible to side effects than others.
How Topical Finasteride Reduces the Risk of Side Effects
Localised Action: Topical finasteride is applied directly to the scalp, targeting DHT production in the hair follicles without significantly affecting DHT levels in the rest of the body.
Lower Systemic Absorption: Because topical finasteride is absorbed primarily in the scalp, it results in much lower levels of the medication entering the bloodstream, reducing the risk of systemic side effects.
Effective DHT Reduction in Scalp: Studies have shown that topical finasteride can effectively reduce DHT levels in the scalp similarly to oral finasteride, but with a significantly lower risk of side effects.
Alternative Treatments and Strategies
Topical Finasteride
Benefits: Topical finasteride can reduce DHT levels locally in the scalp with potentially fewer systemic side effects.
Dense's Bespoke Treatment Spray: Dense offers bespoke topical treatments tailored to your needs. These sprays provide the benefits of finasteride without the higher risk of systemic side effects associated with oral forms.
Combination Therapy with Minoxidil: When Minoxidil is combined with topical finasteride, has a synergistic effect and can be more effective. Dense's bespoke topical sprays offer a combination approach.
DHT Blockers
Natural Alternatives: Products containing natural DHT blockers like saw palmetto, pumpkin seed oil, and green tea extract can be effective for some people. Dense's Daily Densify vitamins contain natural DHT blockers to help reduce hair loss and promote growth.
Conclusion
Experiencing side effects from finasteride can be challenging, but switching to topical finasteride can significantly reduce the risk of these side effects while still effectively treating hair loss. Exploring these options with the guidance of a Dense Hair Expert can help you find a more effective solution tailored to your individual needs. Dense's bespoke treatment sprays offer a personalized and effective topical solution. If you have any further questions or need additional information, feel free to ask!