What is finasteride?
Finasteride is a drug that the action of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, in turn inhibiting the conversion of testosterone is inhibited in dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Both testosterone and DHT have androgenic or masculinizing effects. In the latter, however, the androgenic effect many times stronger. Decreased conversion of testosterone to DHT will therefore ensure that it will incur less androgenic effects.
Finasteride has been since 1992 on the international market. It is available by prescription under the brand names Proscar and Propecia.
The Center finds application in prostate problems (without DHT is the prostate what smaller) and in lower dosage (1/5 to 1/15) in male pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia. In both conditions, one needs to obtain a lower concentration DHT finasteride, respectively in the prostate and the scalp.
It is assumed that the male type baldness is caused by a combination of hereditary factors and DHT. Under the influence of DHT is the growth phase of the hair shorter and the hair is thinner.
Finasteride masks the use of anabolic steroids; It is therefore a means that in sports is part of the list of prohibited substances. Thus, the Brazilian footballer Romario in november 2007 caught on using it. In december 2007, José Antonio Pecharroman also the Spanish cyclist at a doping control found positive.
Side effects of finasteride
Known side effects include impotence (1.1% to 18.5% of users), ejaculation failure (7.2%), decreased volume of ejaculate (0.9% to 2.8%), decreased libido (2.5%), gynecomastia (2.2%), erectile dysfunction (1.3%), ejaculation disorders (1.2%) and pain in the testicles. Addition, it would also finasteride may increase the risk of breast cancer.
Finasteride for women
Within the medical profession is a controversy about the use of this drug for baldness in women. Although there is no official permission has prescribed a Dutch dermatologist three thousand women and 35 teenage girls the drug, according to him successfully.