The most common form of hair loss is Male pattern hair loss, representing close to 95 percent of all cases of hair loss in men and about half of all men experience this form of hair loss by age 50.

The loss of hair often begins with a receding hairline and or slow balding at the crown and is typically a progressive condition. Male pattern hair loss is, it is believed by scientist, to be inherited and that a chemical called dihydrotestosterone is the main reason for hair loss. Dihydrotestosterone is a substance in the body that can shrink the hair follicle until it no longer capable of producing visible hair.

Propecia has been demonstrated to be effective in most men and in trials by the Food and Drug Administration two out of three men taking Propecia re-grew hair, as measured by actual hair counts, the men in the study not taking Propecia continued to lose hair.

Using Propecia can cause a number of side effects and the company, Merck, states that they are continually refining the medication. The size if the Dose depends of what you and your physician deem is right for you and before taking any new medication you should talk to your doctor to determine the right one for you. Propecia may interact with other medications that you are taking, whilst it is topical it still absorbs into he skin.

Patients when they start taking Propecia may see a decrease in hair loss during the first three months but by 6 to 12 months, they will see new hair growth. If Propecia doesn’t work after 12 months; it is unlikely to be of benefit. Studies have shown that if a person stops taking Propecia, after a 12 month period the hair they have gained whilst on the medication, will be lost. Propecia has been used by more than 1 million men in the United States since the drug’s introduction in 1998.

Propecia is the first and only United States Food and Drug Administration approved oral medication for the treatment of male pattern hair loss on the vertex and the anterior mid-scalp for men and is for the treatment of male pattern hair loss in men only and should not be used by women or children.

Women who are or may potentially be pregnant must not use Propecia and should not handle crushed or broken Propecia tablets as the active ingredient may cause abnormalities of a male baby’s sex organs.