from the Spring 1999 issue
Good news for men with male pattern hair loss. Propecia, an effective and convenient treatment for male pattern alopecia (hair loss), is now FDA-approved. Just a pill a day can help prevent and reverse balding in men.
The degree to which a man will bald is an inherited trait that is genetically pre-programmed at birth and can come from either side of the family. The process is set in motion as early as the teenage years when the male hormones kick in and begin to affect the hair follicle. Propecia works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that causes the follicle to gradually shrink and quit producing a hair shaft. When DHT is no longer present, the hair follicle gradually comes back to life and begins producing a hair shaft again.
Two-year clinical studies in men age 18 to 41 showed that 83 percent of those taking Propecia maintained or increased their hair density. They began to see slowing of hair loss as early as the third month. Sixty-six percent of men taking Propecia had visible hair regrowth. Older men can benefit, too. Just ask my husband, who is enjoying a very successful treatment. Men must stay on the drug the rest of their lives to maintain the regrowth of hair.
Propecia's side effects, including decreased sex drive, occurred in less than two percent of the men in the clinical studies. These side effects went away in all men who discontinued use of Propecia. Moreover, they vanished in 58 percent of those who continued therapy.
Propecia is a prescription drug currently costing about $600 per year. It is usually not covered by health insurance when it is taken for hair regrowth.
If you have any questions or are interested in trying Propecia, please Contact Us to make a medical appointment.
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