Why Is My Finasteride Not Working?

Should I See Results from Finasteride After 3 Months?

Finasteride is one of the most commonly used hair loss treatments prescribed in the UK. By blocking the conversion of testosterone into DHT (the hormone that causes hair loss), finasteride prevents hair follicles from shrinking and lengthens the hair growth cycle, helping with hair growth. There are 4 stages in the hair growth cycle. The first of these stages is where hair strands mature. DHT speeds up this process so hair does not mature or grow properly, which leads to it falling out.

The final stage of hair growth is where ‘old’ hair sheds, making way for new hair to take its place. This is the stage where most patients stop taking treatment but importantly, this temporary hair fall is an important part of the process. If treatment is halted, DHT levels rise again, which worsen symptoms all over again.Finasteride should be taken regularly for benefit at a dose of 1mg once daily, everyday. It can take between 3-6 months before effective results can be seen and will work for as long as it's taken.

Am I Taking Finasteride Correctly for Maximum Effectiveness?

The once-daily dose of 1mg has been proven in clinical trials to be the optimum dose for results. It is important to stick to the daily dose as taking in any other way, such as alternate days, or twice a week, will not sufficiently reduce DHT levels enough to help with symptoms.

Finasteride can be taken with or without food and it does not matter what time of day it is taken so long as it is taken roughly at the same time each day. Finasteride does not significantly interact with other medicines though it should not be taken alongside other hair loss treatments, or a herbal treatment called St. John's Wort. If you are taking other medication, ensure to check its compatibility before you start taking finasteride.

Could Other Factors Be Sabotaging My Finasteride Results?

Whilst healthy hair growth is largely controlled by genetics and hormone levels, which we can’t control, there are some factors which we can.

• Good nutrition - a balanced diet incorporating healthy proteins. Hair is largely made of protein so an adequate intake can contribute to healthy hair growth. Studies have also proven the benefit of certain vitamins and minerals in healthy hair growth.

• Stress - stress may contribute to premature hair loss. Strategies such as yoga, meditation or counselling may help

• Hair care - very hot water and heat treatments may damage hair, avoid excessively hot showers and use gentler products which don't strip hair of their natural oils.

• Other lifestyle factors - such as smoking and rapid weight loss can also cause hair loss.

Is My Hair Loss Too Advanced for Finasteride to Work?

Once you have determined the cause of hair loss, it's useful to know how severe it is. This is where the Norwood scale comes into play, which assigns a classification to an individual's hair loss from 1-7. Whilst an effective treatment when used properly, there is some discussion regarding its usefulness in the later stages of hair loss. A Japanese study confirmed the effectiveness of finasteride was lower in patients with more advanced disease with a second study concluding whilst there are improvements, these are slower at later stages. This essentially confirms that finasteride can be effective across all stages of hair loss and it's never too late to start treatment. Whatever stage you are at, there are effective treatments available. A study concluded a combined regimen of finasteride with minoxidil (another hair loss treatment) can benefit even the most severe cases of hair loss.

Unsure if finasteride is the right option for you? Feel free to contact the clinicians at Quick Meds where our expert clinicians are at hand to offer all the advice you need.