What is finasteride?

Finasteride is one of two medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration  for the treatment of male pattern baldness. It is the active ingredient in Propecia, a hair loss medication.

Finasteride is also used at higher doses to treat an enlarged prostate, called benign prostatic hyperplasia. In this case, the medication is often known as Proscar.

How does finasteride work and what are its effects?

Finasteride belongs to a class of medications called 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. 5-alpha-reductase is an enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, another male hormone.

DHT isn't entirely harmful: during male fetal development and puberty, it's the hormone that develops masculine characteristics like facial hair and a deeper voice. But later on, DHT can bind to receptors in hair follicles, causing gradual hair loss in people genetically susceptible to its effects.

Finasteride is a DHT blocker that prevents the hormone from entering hair follicles. Generally, low levels of DHT translate to more hair.

Here's a brief rundown of how finasteride works. For more information, check out our guide on finasteride side effects, dosage, and more.

What can I use instead of finasteride?

If you're one of the 85% of men worldwide affected by hair loss, you've probably heard of numerous products claiming to prevent baldness and promote healthy hair growth. While male pattern baldness is a problem most men will face at some point, there are ways to minimize hair loss or stimulate hair growth. Finasteride is one of the most popular products for treating male pattern baldness. It is an oral and topical hair loss treatment suitable for men suffering from hair loss or baldness.

If you don't want to take finasteride to treat your hair loss or if you haven't noticed any improvement, you may be looking for alternatives. In this article, we'll introduce you to alternatives to finasteride for combating male pattern baldness.

What is the recommended dosage of finasteride for hair loss?

For hair loss, healthcare professionals may prescribe a dose lower than 1 mg per day.

Benefits of Finasteride

Although finasteride, like most medications, can cause unpleasant side effects, these are rare and usually disappear after discontinuation of treatment.

Studies have shown that finasteride can be effective in maintaining hair growth for several years with continued use.

  • Slows hair loss
  • Promotes hair regrowth
  • Low and convenient dose
  • Long-term effectiveness
  • Low risk of side effects
  • Side effects of finasteride
  • Decreased libido
  • Erectile dysfunction 
  • Decreased ejaculate volume
  • Decreased blood pressure when sitting or lying down
  • Breast size increase

What is the difference between minoxidil and finasteride?

Minoxidil and finasteride have two very different mechanisms of action for treating hair loss:

Finasteride reduces dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to stop hair loss. By preventing the body from converting testosterone to DHT, it prevents the miniaturization of hair follicles, which prevents the thinning of existing hair and promotes new hair growth.

Minoxidil dilates small blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the affected area and thus stimulating hair growth.

Alternatives to Finasteride for Hair Loss solutions

Best Finasteride Alternatives in 2025 for Safer Hair Loss Solutions

Finasteride is a well-known treatment for hair loss, its effectiveness confirmed by numerous studies. However, just because a treatment works well doesn't mean it's right for everyone.

When it comes to hair loss treatments, finasteride is one of the most popular options for men looking to regrow their hair. While it offers effective results, some prefer to avoid it altogether for various reasons and seek alternatives.

Whether you're considering finasteride or simply want to explore different hair regrowth options, it's important to consider all available options before making a final decision. By researching the alternatives, you can choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences.

In this blog post, we take a closer look at finasteride, explain why some people might consider it, and discuss the most common options in detail.

Are you worried about hair loss?

If you notice hair loss or bald spots, it may be time to address it as soon as possible.

There are many options available in the early stages of hair loss. However, once the hairline has receded significantly or there is little hair remaining, most treatments may not be effective enough to make a significant difference. If this is your case and you have exhausted all other options, you may want to consider a hair transplant.

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