Latest news with #finasteride
Health Line
06-06-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Why Is My Hair Falling Out?
Key takeaways Normal hair shedding is up to 100 hairs per day, but excessive shedding may indicate telogen effluvium, a common hair loss condition. Hair loss can be caused by multiple factors, including hormonal changes, thyroid disorders, stress, medications, nutrient deficiencies, and autoimmune conditions like lupus. Treatment options include medications like finasteride and minoxidil, topical creams, steroid injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, hair transplants, scalp micropigmentation, and laser therapy. You can lose hair due to factors like nutritional deficiencies and stress. Hair loss can also occur as a side effect of medication or if you have underlying health conditions, such as lupus. Finding hair in your brush or on your pillow is normal. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, people naturally shed up to 100 hairs per day. However, if you experience excessive hair shedding, you may have telogen effluvium, a common hair loss condition. Keep reading to learn more about what's causing your hair to fall out and how to treat it. What are the most common types of hair loss? There are three common types of hair loss, some of which may affect hair at different stages of the growing cycle: Telogen effluvium: This type of hair loss is characterized by significant shedding. It affects hair in the resting phase, known as telogen. Around 15% of your hair is telogen, while 85% is androgen. Androgenic alopecia: This genetic type of hair loss affects hair in the growing stage, known as androgen. It's also known as male or female pattern baldness and affects nearly 1 in 2 people. Hormonal changes Several hormonal changes may lead to hair loss. For instance, changes in estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin following childbirth or during menopause may trigger hair loss. Similarly, changes in the male hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone could also trigger hair loss. Thyroid disorders Research suggests that thyroid disorders may play a key role in hair shedding and hair loss. Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is overactive, producing too many thyroid hormones. Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones. According to the British Thyroid Foundation, your hair may take a few months to start growing back once you start treatment for your thyroid disorder. Learn more about the link between thyroid disorders and hair loss. Stress Physical and psychological stress have been closely associated with hair loss. Acute physical stressors may include: serious illness surgery fever blood loss childbirth The causes of physical stress are often temporary, and the hair loss subsides as the body heals. Chronic psychological stress and anxiety may increase the speed of your hair cycle, leading to more hair falling out. Several lifestyle changes could help you relieve stress, such as: exercising for at least 150 minutes weekly eating a well-balanced diet meditating speaking with a friend, family member, or therapist Medications Medications can come with many side effects, including hair loss. Chemotherapy is the most well-known cause, but other medications that may cause hair shedding include: retinoids beta-blockers anticonvulsants antidepressants anticoagulants some oral contraceptives Speak with a healthcare professional if you take any of these medications and experience hair loss. They could review your treatment plan and recommend an alternative medication or modify your current dosage. Learn more about medications that can cause hair loss. Other medical conditions Many other medical conditions can lead to hair shedding and hair loss, including: renal failure liver disease Crohn's disease diabetes psoriasis dermatitis ringworm of the scalp folliculitis Treatment Hair loss has been associated with lower self-esteem, body image issues, and a lower quality of life. However, it's important to note that you're not alone in experiencing hair loss. Several treatments could also help you slow the shedding or even promote hair growth. These may include: medications, such as finasteride and minoxidil topical creams steroid injections platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy hair transplant scalp micropigmentation laser therapy Some natural remedies like coconut oil, aloe vera, and fish oil may also help. Frequently asked questions Why is my hair falling out so much all of a sudden? Your hair may suddenly be falling out if you recently experienced stress caused by hormonal changes, fever, surgery, childbirth, and certain health conditions. You may also experience hair loss if you just started taking a new medication, such as beta-blockers and anticonvulsants. How do I know if I'm losing too much hair? How much hair you lose is subjective. If you notice a lot of hair around your home or new bald spots, thinning hair, or hair that pulls easily when you examine your scalp, speak with a doctor. They could provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan for you. Why does my hair fall out in the shower? Hair loss during your shower is normal because you're adding stress to your scalp by pulling your hair. However, sudden, excessive hair loss may be caused by an underlying health condition, stress, or taking certain medications.
Daily Mail
05-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The terrifying side-effects of the drug used by thousands of men to battle hair loss - as doctors warn the symptoms are permanent and there is 'no cure'
Robb Dixon often sees posts on social media from men desperate to try anything for thicker hair – and finds it difficult not to directly message them saying: it isn't worth it. For Robb, 33, a music producer from Winchester, Hampshire, says he was left with erectile dysfunction, depression, anxiety and a host of other problems, as a result of taking the medication finasteride for six months when his hair started thinning in his 20s.
The Sun
04-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
My marriage became sex-starved then ended because of a common hair loss drug – I was so lonely I became suicidal
A WOMAN has revealed that she left her husband after their marriage became sexless thanks to a common drug for hair loss. Thammika Songkaeo shared her heartbreaking story on the Moral Medicine podcast. 3 3 Now a bestselling author, she revealed the dangers of the prescription drug that men rarely know about. Thammika said she noticed that her love life was nonexistent while they were still dating. Her then- boyfriend told her that it was because he had taken Propecia — the brand name of finasteride. Finasteride is a prescription drug that is commonly used to treat male pattern hair loss. It works by blocking the production of a male hormone that contributes to hair loss. However, it comes with a host of side effects, including: erectile dysfunction, decreased sex drive and ejaculation problems, including reduced ejaculate volume. At first, she figured it would only be a temporary problem, but that soon changed. 'I did not at all realise that it was permanent, serious [and] devastating,' she said. The pair still decided to stay together and ended up married for seven years. She even convinced her ex to take an erectile dysfunction drug to improve intimacy. 3 Taking lovers has improved our relationship but threesome on TV left me in tear The couple even welcomed a daughter, but the sex life never really improved and Thamika was feeling lonelier than ever. Eventually, she decided to call it quits on her sex-starved marriage. She said: "I couldn't really detach myself from this person because I saw what happened, and I said, "This is definitely not this man's fault." "And what I needed to do personally was move away from the relationship as a romantic partner because I couldn't do it, I couldn't live in a sexless marriage." Help for mental health If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support. The following are free to contact and confidential: Samaritans, 116 123 CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) 0800 585 858 Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) 0800 068 41 41 Shout (for support of all mental health) text 85258 to start a conversation Mind, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary). YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too. Rethink Mental Illness, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate). Heads Together, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales. Now, she is trying to raise awareness on post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) - condition in which someone experiences severe side effects after they stop using finasteride. 'The depth of the loneliness I felt was to the point where I, myself, was becoming suicidal or having suicidal thoughts,' Songkaeo said. 'I had to call the suicide hotline because it became that bad for me — and, usually, I'm a pretty happy person.' She questions the ethics of distributing a drug that can have such potentially devastating consequences. 'Finasteride has the capacity to dissolve one person so much that it becomes this domino effect…there's just so much destruction around it — and it feels like unnecessary destruction,' she said.
Telegraph
04-06-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
I reversed my thinning hair naturally with diet and supplements
I started losing my hair in my mid-20s. My crown thinned first which became a bald patch. Then, in my early-30s, my hairline started receding. I wasn't happy about losing my hair, and early on I tried a topical treatment called minoxidil, but this caused scalp irritation, so I stopped. I didn't have an emotional attachment to having long hair, so I shaved my head instead. As a personal trainer, I work with a lot of men in the fitness industry, and it became very clear to me how much of a problem hair loss is for them. It is a major stressor and damages confidence. Many try finasteride, an oral medicine prescribed on the NHS to treat enlarged prostates, but which is also sold privately as a treatment for baldness. It works by suppressing the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is an important hormone for male sexual characteristics, but which may contribute to shrinking hair follicles, shorten hair growth cycles, and reduce hair's ability to absorb nutrients. Finasteride can have a range of worrying side effects, and I witnessed some of these in some of my clients who I train online. There was a case of sexual dysfunction which continued for years after the client stopped taking the medication. More than one suffered depression and were placed on antidepressants, which they believed was a direct result of finasteride. One even had damage to the structure of his penis. The reason I personally never tried finasteride was that I would rather be bald and not run the risk of low DHT symptoms. Last year, the Government issued a warning for men taking the finasteride to treat baldness to be vigilant as it has been reported to cause 'depressed mood, depression, suicidal thoughts and sexual dysfunction'. The warning emphasised the lack of awareness of these potential side effects. Can you cure hair loss with supplements? Aged 37, and with this warning in mind, I decided to see if baldness could be reversed or slowed with natural solutions that don't impact hormones. I wanted to do a proper experiment to see whether I could really improve my hair growth over time. I started researching as much as I could about why hair loss happens, and other ways to slow the process or promote regrowth. The first thing I found was that, while most people think DHT is the only cause of hair loss, there is so much more to it. Genetics does play a part, particularly in male pattern baldness – the most common type – but there are hundreds of reasons why hair falls out, including nutrient deficiencies, nutrient absorption issues, inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut health. I did a deep dive into research and used the PubMed database to look up studies and academic papers. I found reports that suggested a lot of non-medical treatments for hair loss were equally as effective as available medications. The health community I am part of share lots of information and tips, so I asked this group questions and started pinpointing some of the things I wanted to try. I became the guinea pig and made my own mixtures and tinctures containing dozens of ingredients. I tried lots of things in combination with the aim of reducing inflammation, reducing oxidative stress, improving nutrient intake, and enhancing nutrient absorption and circulation. I devised a programme which combined nutrition, topical compounds and lifestyle changes, and created a sample product which contained over 50 active ingredients. The supplements and treatments I tried for thinning hair I worked out that there were several strategies that could potentially counter the different controllable factors that cause hair loss – the ones that aren't genetic. You can put things on your scalp, you can eat the right things in the form of supplements and food, and you can adjust your lifestyle. My diet and exercise routines were already on track and just needed slight tweaks, so I concentrated on trying to boost my hair regrowth by finding the right mix of supplements and topical oils and compounds. I spent about £400 in total on products, and used them all religiously according to the instructions on the labels. I didn't have a time limit in mind but I started to see results after a month, which I was pleased about. Even though hair loss hadn't affected me on an emotional level, as it does for many men, it was still really encouraging to see regrowth, and to know it was as a result of natural products. The details Redensyl This is a natural ingredient that combines plant extracts, including DHQG (dihydroquercetin-glucoside) and EGCG2 (epigallocatechin gallate glucoside), which are thought to activate hair follicle stem cells. It is used in cosmetic serums and studies suggest it can be effective for slowing hair loss and hair regrowth. Copper peptide Also called GHK-Cu, copper peptide occurs naturally in the body. Studies show promise in promoting hair growth and improving scalp health. It works by stimulating hair follicles, enhancing circulation to the scalp, and promoting tissue regeneration. I used this in a blend and as a single ingredient, and it seemed to work well. I also experimented with it for skin care, and it appeared to reduce fine lines and gave a more even-looking complexion. Niacinamide Also known as nicotinamide or NAM, this is a form of vitamin B3 produced by the body and found in various foods. It has almost identical physiological effects to Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), which in studies has been found to promote hair growth in vitro as well as in mice. Caffeine Applying caffeine to the scalp can stimulate hair follicles, potentially leading to longer hair growth and increased hair density. One study last year concluded that a shampoo which included caffeine and adenosine (a natural compound found in cells), significantly enhanced hair density and reduced hair loss. Drinking coffee, however, does not stimulate hair growth. Beef tallow It sounds unpleasant but rendered beef fat, or beef tallow, is commonly used in the formulation of hair care products. It contains fatty acids (such as oleic and stearic acids), vitamins A, D, E, and K, which nourish the scalp and hair follicles. It also moisturises and conditions, reducing dryness and flakiness that can hinder hair growth. Castor oil This is rich in ricinoleic acid, which is a combination of unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid and hydroxy acid and has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Rosemary oil I tried one product with rosemary oil and it was too greasy to use. It left my hair and scalp looking shiny and unwashed. Luckily, most of the topical products I tried had no scent at all. Other supplements worth trying I have been using supplements for other things, such as boosting my testosterone, for some time and have seen drastic improvements, so I was confident that they could also have an effect on hair growth. Bamboo extract This is a powder extracted from the leaves, stems or shoots of bamboo and is taken orally to increase collagen. It is also used as a component in some skincare and haircare formulas. Bamboo is rich in silica, and it's thought that incorporating bamboo into haircare may help strengthen strands, especially strands that have been damaged. Betaine HCL (hydrochloride) This is an acidic form of betaine, a vitamin-like substance found in grains and other foods, which is recommended for improving digestion and nutrient absorption. Biotin Also known as vitamin B7, this is thought to play a role in reducing hair loss primarily by contributing to the production of keratin, a protein that makes up hair. My hair regrowth diet This experiment took place over 16 weeks, but I've now incorporated the elements into my day-to-day life. I didn't have to change my diet much at all because I already eat a lot of the foods that I worked out would likely help hair growth, such as liver (which I eat a couple of times a week) and oysters, which I eat when I can. Oysters can help reduce hair loss primarily because they are an excellent source of zinc, a crucial mineral for hair follicle function and growth. I also incorporated three to four raw egg yolks a day in a shake with collagen. I tried to eat more foods containing higher levels of collagen and gelatine, compounds that are known to be important in hair growth. They are found in organ meats, chicken skin and oysters. I also supplemented with homemade jelly, bone broth and collagen powder. Gelatine – a protein derived from animal collagen – is rich in amino acids, including sulphur-rich ones, which are essential for hair and nail growth. Studies have shown that gelatine consumption and topical treatments can improve hair thickness, growth, and reduce hair loss. Additionally, it may help improve hair moisture and thickness. I avoided intermittent fasting as this popular form of diet has been shown in studies to inhibit hair follicle regrowth by inducing cell death in follicles. I also avoided low-carb, keto-led dietary regimens as lack of carbohydrates is also believed to impact hair growth through a similar mechanism to intermittent fasting. In one study I found, after six months, 45 per cent of a group of subjects on a low-carb diet reported hair loss, compared to only 21 per cent of a group following a low-fat diet. Coincidentally, my hair loss started when I was following an intermittent fasting and low-carb routine in my early-20's. Can exercise have an impact? As a personal trainer I was keenly aware of the effects that physical stress can have on the body. I knew, for example, that a lot of hard cardio would have placed stress on my body and I would have needed to reduce that during the experiment. I had already dropped my weight training, from five to six days a week to three, before I started the experiment, and I wasn't doing cardio, as I tend not to unless I'm training for something specifically. During the experiment, I continued lifting weights three times a week and walked every day. Mental stress also plays a big part, so keeping that down was beneficial. I feel like the reduction in stress gleaned from less intense exercise was 100 per cent helpful, and my body composition actually improved. Three things that didn't work Topical melatonin There are some suggestions that this might work, but I didn't stick it out as I noticed my energy levels change using it. Minoxidil While there is plenty of evidence to suggest that this drug works for many people, it irritated my scalp too much to use. Dermaroller I used a dermaroller for a while, but it can cause infection and skin damage if done excessively or incorrectly, so I currently don't use it as part of my process. The verdict In 16 weeks I noticed a significant improvement in hair growth. The thinning was reversed. I was able to grow longer hair. For anyone worried about losing their hair, I would recommend investigating natural solutions sooner rather than later when you notice thinning. I'd particularly recommend boosting your gelatine intake and using caffeine, copper peptide and Redensyl, as I did, as there are studies that back up their efficacy. If you don't want to apply potions or take supplements, the diet and exercise elements are easy wins but are likely not going to be as effective. They do, however, both offer health benefits beyond hair preservation, so they are certainly not going to do you any harm. It's been a bit of a slog, but when I look at my head of head today I'm thrilled with what I have achieved.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A popular hair loss drug destroyed my ex-husband's sex drive — and ended our marriage
A bestselling author has shared a heartbreaking story about how a popular hair loss drug led to the demise of her ex-husband's sexual function — and their marriage. Speaking recently on the podcast 'Moral Medicine,' Thammika Songkaeo said she noticed they had no love life to speak of while they were still dating. Her then-boyfriend told her that it was because he had taken Propecia — the brand name of finasteride, which is commonly used to treat hair loss in men. One of the potential side effects is sexual dysfunction. At the time, she thought it was just a temporary issue — or that it would only be a problem intermittently. 'I did not at all realize that it was permanent, serious [and] devastating,' she said. They got married and stayed together for seven years, with Songkaeo convincing her ex to take an erectile dysfunction drug to improve intimacy. The couple welcomed a daughter, but Songkaeo's loneliness worsened. Ultimately, she decided to walk away from the sex-starved marriage. Noting that her ex was a wonderful partner outside of the bedroom, they remained great friends — and Songkaeo went on to write a novel about her experience, 'Stamford Hospital,' which became a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon Singapore. Now, she's trying to spread the word not only about how post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) — a condition in which someone experiences severe side effects after they stop using finasteride — affects its victims, but also the ones they love. 'The depth of the loneliness I felt was to the point where I, myself, was becoming suicidal or having suicidal thoughts,' Songkaeo said. 'I had to call the suicide hotline because it became that bad for me — and, usually, I'm a pretty happy person.' She questions the ethics of distributing a drug that can have such potentially devastating consequences. 'Finasteride has the capacity to dissolve one person so much that it becomes this domino effect…there's just so much destruction around it — and it feels like unnecessary destruction,' she said. Songkaeo was interviewed by podcast host Mark Millich, who made headlines earlier this year by telling the Wall Street Journal that he experienced debilitating side effects after buying finasteride. Some of his side effects included anxiety, dizziness and slurred speech. His sex drive also plummeted, and his genitals shrank and changed shape. Millich previously interviewed a 28-year-old man who reported a roller coaster of side effects due to PFS, including sexual dysfunction, insomnia, severe weight and muscle loss, skin rashes and pelvic pain. 'Every month, I feel like there's a new side effect,' the man said. 'It's really changed my life completely.' In April, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about topical finasteride products distributed by telehealth companies, citing several reports of adverse events such as erectile dysfunction, anxiety, suicidal ideation, brain fog, depression, fatigue, insomnia, decreased libido and testicular pain. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to
