Finasteride blocks the conversion of testosterone to a more potent form. At 5mg it shrinks an enlarged prostate; at 1mg it slows male pattern hair loss. Both take months rather than weeks, and both stop working when you stop taking it.
5mg — for benign prostatic hyperplasia. It shrinks the prostate over three to six months and can be used alongside tamsulosin, which works faster.
1mg — for male pattern hair loss. It slows loss and can produce some regrowth, usually assessed after three to six months and often up to a year.
In both cases the effect reverses within months of stopping.
Once daily, with or without food, at the same time each day. Be patient — judging it before three months is too early.
Reduced sex drive, erectile difficulties and reduced ejaculate volume occur in a minority. These usually resolve on stopping, and often improve with continued use — but for some men they persist, and that possibility should be part of the decision to start.
Breast tenderness or enlargement should be reported. Any breast lump, nipple discharge or skin change needs prompt assessment.
Report low mood or depression — this has been reported with finasteride and is worth taking seriously.
Finasteride lowers PSA readings by roughly half, which matters for prostate cancer screening. Always tell whoever orders a PSA test that you take it.
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