Finasteride: What It Is, How It Works, and What You Need to Know

Ever wonder why doctors prescribe a tiny tablet for hair loss or an enlarged prostate? That’s finasteride. It’s a once‑daily pill that blocks a hormone called DHT, which is the main culprit behind male‑pattern baldness and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). By keeping DHT low, you can keep hair on your head and ease urinary trouble caused by an enlarged prostate.

Uses and Dosage

Finasteride has two main jobs. At 1 mg a day, it’s used for androgenetic alopecia – the fancy term for male‑pattern baldness. At 5 mg, it treats BPH, helping the bladder empty more easily and lowering the risk of needing surgery later. Most people take the pill with or without food, and you’ll usually see results after three to six months. If you miss a dose, just take it as soon as you remember unless it’s almost time for the next one.

Side Effects and Safety

Like any medication, finasteride can cause side effects. The most common are a lower sex drive, trouble getting an erection, or a slight decrease in semen volume. These usually go away after stopping the drug, but a few men report lasting changes. Some folks also notice breast tenderness or swelling. If you feel any of these, talk to your doctor – they might lower the dose or switch you to another option.

Finasteride isn’t for everyone. Women who are pregnant or could become pregnant must avoid handling broken tablets because the drug can affect a male fetus. Men with liver disease should use it cautiously, and anyone with a known allergy to finasteride should skip it entirely.

Drug interactions are pretty rare, but a few meds can bump finasteride levels up. For example, certain antifungal or antibiotic drugs might do this, so always list every prescription and over‑the‑counter product you’re taking when you see your doctor.

Blood tests aren’t routinely required, but if you’re on the 5 mg BPH dose, your doctor may check PSA (prostate‑specific antigen) levels periodically. Finasteride can lower PSA, which might mask early signs of prostate cancer, so your doctor will adjust the numbers accordingly.

Thinking about stopping? Don’t quit cold turkey if you’re using it for hair loss. When you stop, any new hair you’ve grown will likely fall out within a year. Some men taper down slowly to see how their body reacts, but there’s no official “weaning” schedule.

Bottom line: finasteride is a simple, effective option for men dealing with hair loss or BPH, but it does come with a handful of possible side effects. Talk openly with your healthcare provider, stick to the prescribed dose, and report any weird symptoms right away. That way you get the benefits without unnecessary risk.