Finasteride

For every man prostate health is of vital importance; after all, prostate issues are not only bothersome but they can be fatal. However, for many men hair-loss is of equal importance, maybe greater; for many men they’d trade in their hair-loss for an enlarged prostate no questions asked. Ridiculous, of course but for many men that’s simply their nature as ridiculous as it may be. However, for both groups there is good news and it’s called Finasteride. While this is good news one should be cautious before they get too excited; while Finasteride combats issues of hair-loss and the prostate it is by no means an easy going medication.

Understanding Finasteride

A 5alpha-reductase (5-AR) inhibitor, Finasteride is manufactured by Merck under the popular trade names Proscar and Propecia. An androgen suppressor, Finasteride is designed to treat symptoms related to the type 2 5-AR; a key enzyme in the role of Testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) conversion. The rate of conversion will greatly vary from one person to the next, however, it is important to note, those who use anabolic steroids of a DHT nature open themselves up to higher risks of such negative and adverse effects by which Finasteride is designed to treat; most notably:

• Hair-Loss
• Prostate Enlargement
• Prostate Cancer

Finasteride Therapy

Without question the largest cause for Finasteride use is in the treatment of male pattern baldness or the prevention thereof and it doesn’t do a bad job at all. In-fact, most all who use the medication will halt any additional hair-loss and by as much as nearly 50% of all men who use it will actually grow new hair.

While hair-loss treatment is its most common place Finasteride is also used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate. Obviously this is of far greater concern than hair-loss and the medication has proven to do a fine job alleviating the problem. However, it will take long extended durations of use to see any benefit and in most cases the use of the medication will need to remain constant as effects will return once use is discontinued.

Finasteride Side-Effects

As an androgen suppressor Finasteride carries with it some strong negative qualities. As you understand androgens are essential to health and function; androgens play a large role in muscle tissue in both building and rejuvenation as well as they play a very important role in sexual function. Those who supplement with Finasteride will find very often that sexual desire and performance to be very diminished and many will find muscle tissue slowly fading away. This is of great importance to the anabolic steroid user as Finasteride use will greatly reduce the effects of the steroids used. While the medication does in-fact work it has some pretty rough side-effects and while many medications may carry similar side-effects in the case of Finasteride they are far more pronounced and far more likely. The most common side-effects include:

• Erectile Dysfunction
• Decreased Libido
• Impotence
• Decreased Muscle Mass

The End Game

In the end it’s very simple; Finasteride works very well for what it’s supposed to do and in our opinion should only be used when necessary, such as in prostate related treatments; sorry, “Hair” does not fall under necessary. For the anabolic steroid user who is petrified of losing his hair there is a solution; while no one can predict if anabolic steroids will cause you to lose your hair, some it will, some it won’t, if it is a large concern and you have a family history of male pattern baldness stay away from DHT based steroids. Of course if you’re serious about gaining muscle and athletic performance then it really doesn’t matter.