Finasteride Side Effects & How to Reduce Them

Finasteride is commonly administered for the treatment of baldness as it stops the process of conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone triggers the miniaturisation of the follicles, causing the thinning of hair and the eventual loss of hair.

While side effects are uncommon and the drug is safe, you may be interested in reducing these symptoms if they happen while still continuing to derive benefit from the drug. In this article, we will take a look at some of these side effects and how you can reduce these unwanted symptoms, and also how Hairy Hair may help with your hair loss.

What are the side effects of finasteride?

The side effects that are most commonly reported among finasteride users relate to sexual function. These include erectile dysfunction, lack of sex drive, ejaculation issues, depression, and anxiety.

In very rare cases, it can cause cardiovascular issues or breast tissue growth. Finasteride is considered safe, however, and more research is needed to see what the relationship is between these conditions and the medication.

How to reduce the side effects of finasteride

Topical finasteride

If you’re having issues with oral finasteride, a topical version is also available. While it hasn’t been approved as a hair loss treatment yet, a study from the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology has indicated that it can work as well as oral treatment.

Applying it topically can reduce the risk of systemic side effects related to sexual dysfunction but can cause other adverse reactions. These include irritation, itching, burning sensation, and tenderness in the application site.

Lower dose

The dose that you take of finasteride can impact your risk of experiencing side effects. A higher dose of finasteride is often prescribed to manage benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition of prostate gland size.

For the reduction of hair loss, a low dose of finasteride will usually suffice to treat your pattern hair loss. If you are experiencing an adverse reaction to finasteride, however, your doctor can lower the dose to counteract this.

It’s important to take the medication as prescribed. If you miss a dose, don’t take an extra tablet to make up for it, as it can increase your chance of developing side effects.

Avoid the nocebo effect

Studies have found that the side effects reported by patients on finasteride and in the placebo group were at similar rates. As part of a clinical trial, around 1 in 5 patients experienced sexual side effects in both groups. 

The nocebo effect works opposite to that of the placebo effect. The nocebo effect occurs if the patients expect the side effects, and having that expectation leads to psychosomatic reactions. Over-suspecting the probable side effects and expecting to be feeling them are likely to maximize your chances to report them. 

Having an optimistic attitude and using the drugs is likely to negate the effect of nocebo and decrease the likelihood of side effects.

Healthy lifestyle changes

There are some lifestyle modifications you can implement in order to reduce the risk of experiencing negative side effects. Hair loss, among a host of cardiovascular and general health issues, can be caused by smoking. Stopping smoking or cutting back on it might reduce the negative effects of finasteride.

Being healthy and making sure that you have a good amount of vitamins and nutrients will make your body work optimally. Having regular exercise and stress management will assist in making your mind and body fit.

Psychotherapy

Psychological counseling also works in case of sexual dysfunction-related issues like lack of sex drive and impotency. Good mental well-being will also keep your stress levels well under check and can help to counter the nocebo effect of the drug.

Psychotherapy can also relieve the psychological side effects of the drug, including depression and anxiety.

Are side effects from finasteride common?

The majority of finasteride users do not have unwanted side effects. Side effects can happen regardless, although with some probabilities it might depend on the dosage, history of sickness, psychological and biological states, in addition to exposure to the possibility of the nocebo effect.

While side effects may be disappointing, it has been reported by studies that patient-reported side effects can also decrease 6-12 months after treatment. Side effects reported by most users simply vanished once the treatment had been ended.

Post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) is a very rare disorder that may occur in patients. It is a newly identified condition that manifests as persistent sexual dysfunction and mood shift even after termination of the therapy.

What can Hairy Hair do to help tackle my hair loss?

Finasteride has been proven to be an effective inhibitor of DHT and can induce hair growth by preventing the miniaturisation of hair follicles. While there are potential side effects and safety concerns associated with this treatment for baldness, one must consider the relatively low risk of experiencing negative consequences.

Although finasteride can effectively treat baldness on its own, its effect can be enhanced when combined with other substances that make the environment more favourable for hair growth.

Hairy Hair offers a unique formula that acts to treat a range of baldness issues.

If at any point you develop side effects from the medication, our experts are ready to adjust your prescription and provide you with alternative medicine free of charge. This ensures that you continue to reap the benefits of the treatment while potentially managing any undesirable reactions.

The pill is also a vasodilator, expanding blood vessels in the scalp to enhance oxygenation and nutrient supply to hair follicles. If hair follicles are healthy and well-nourished, they are better able to grow thick and healthy-looking hair strands that are less prone to shedding.

The treatment is then complemented by natural ingredients that can help support keratin formation, which the hair needs in order to grow. It includes a natural DHT blocker as well as possessing anti-inflammatory agents, thereby ensuring a healthy scalp environment that supports growth.

By simply taking a daily pill, you can treat a number of hair loss conditions with a multi-faceted treatment system, possibly increasing the likelihood of encouraging hair growth compared to using one product. 

Dealing with finasteride side effects and seeking other treatments

Finasteride has been shown to be effective in reversing baldness in individuals with high concentrations of DHT, a typical cause of androgenetic alopecia. It blocks DHT production on the scalp, leading to healthier regrowth of hair.

Although some individuals complain of some side effects they may encounter related to this drug, such as PFS, one should remember that the majority of them do not face such side reactions. Moreover, dosages can be adjusted for the treatment of any complexity developed.

It should be noted that healthy hair growth requires a variety of nutrients and optimal conditions, which could not be sufficiently provided by finasteride alone. Selecting a treatment option that includes the treatment of multiple hair-shedding complications may well reduce hair loss as well as make new hair less prone to future shedding.

If you are experiencing hair loss and wish to take proactive measures, we invite you to reach out to Hairy Hair today. Starting treatment is a simple process; just complete a brief online questionnaire describing your condition of hair loss. One of our experienced Australian GPs will then contact you to discuss a tailored treatment plan and answer any questions you have.

Finally, your prescription will be brought to your doorstep, without having to visit clinics. Our compassionate staff will be with you every step of the way towards potentially restoring hair and regaining confidence.