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

When you hear finasteride, a prescription medication used to treat male pattern baldness and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Also known as Propecia or Proscar, it works by blocking a hormone called DHT that shrinks hair follicles and enlarges the prostate. It’s not a miracle cure, but for millions of men, it’s the difference between keeping their hair and losing it—or managing urinary symptoms and living with discomfort.

Finasteride doesn’t just affect hair. It’s also a key tool for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that can cause frequent urination, weak stream, or nighttime bathroom trips. The same mechanism that protects hair follicles—lowering DHT levels—also reduces prostate size. That’s why the same drug comes in two doses: 1 mg for hair loss and 5 mg for prostate issues. You don’t need a fancy explanation to understand this: less DHT means less shrinkage and less swelling.

But it’s not without trade-offs. Some men report sexual side effects—lower libido, trouble getting or keeping an erection. These aren’t common for everyone, but they’re real enough that you should talk to your doctor before starting. And if you stop taking it, the benefits fade. Hair starts falling out again. The prostate begins to grow. It’s not a one-time fix. It’s maintenance. And that’s why so many people stick with it.

You’ll find posts here that dig into how finasteride stacks up against minoxidil, what the long-term studies say about safety, and why some men see results in weeks while others wait months. There are also guides on how to spot fake online pharmacies selling counterfeit finasteride—something that’s become a real problem. You’ll learn what to ask your doctor, how to track progress, and what to do if side effects show up. This isn’t just a list of articles. It’s a practical toolkit for anyone considering or already using finasteride, whether for hair, prostate health, or both.