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Prescription onlyFDA-approved
Finasteride
Prescription — daily oral
A daily tablet that lowers DHT, the hormone driving male pattern hair loss — prescribed when a provider judges it appropriate.
FDA-approved at 1mg for male pattern hair loss — the use described on this page.
from $20/mo
if prescribedSample pricingYou'll see your exact total before you're charged anything. Nothing is charged for the visit itself.
Adding to your plan doesn't order anything and doesn't charge you — it tells the provider what you're hoping to discuss.
About 5 minutes. A licensed provider reviews your health and prescribes finasteride only if it's right for you — there is no checkout here, and that's deliberate.
How it works
What it actually does
An enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In follicles that are genetically sensitive to it, DHT shortens each growth cycle so the follicle produces a finer, shorter hair each time around. Finasteride inhibits that enzyme, lowering DHT and easing the pressure driving miniaturisation. It defends follicles that are still cycling — it cannot restore one that has stopped.
See the full mechanism, step by stepThe evidence
What the trials actually found
Published results, with what they were measured against. A number without a comparator isn't evidence — it's advertising.
About 83% of men had no further hair loss at 2 years
vs about 28% of men taking placebo
Measured by hair count in men with mild to moderate male pattern hair loss taking 1mg daily.
Kaufman et al., Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1998; summarised in FDA labelling
Trial averages describe a study population, not a prediction for you. Your provider will be direct about what is realistic given your history — and results depend on continuing treatment.
A provider may consider it if
- You're seeing early or moderate pattern loss and want to protect what's there
- You can commit to taking it daily — the effect depends on continuing
- You've discussed the sexual side effect profile honestly with a provider
It won't be prescribed if
- Women who are or may become pregnant — handling the tablets carries a risk of fetal harm
- Anyone unwilling to accept the possibility of sexual side effects
- Hair loss that isn't pattern loss — scarring alopecia and other causes need a different route
These are the same checks the visit runs. If one applies, the visit will tell you plainly rather than take your money.
What to expect
Realistically, month by month
Months 1–3
Nothing visible, and possibly some shedding as follicles cycle. This is the stage most people quit at, and quitting here is quitting before the mechanism has had time to matter.
Months 3–6
The earliest point at which change is typically assessed. Your provider will want photos or an honest description.
Ongoing
The effect depends on continuing. Stopping generally means losing the ground gained, over the following months.
Safety, stated up front
Side effects, before you decide
A minority of men report reduced libido, erectile difficulty or reduced ejaculate volume; for most who experience them these resolve on stopping, though persistent symptoms have been reported. Breast tenderness or changes should be reported promptly. Your provider will discuss this fully before prescribing — it is not something to discover later.
- FDA prescribing information: finasteride 1mg
- Pregnancy contraindication and handling precautions per FDA labelling
Complete safety information is provided during your visit and with every prescription. This page is a summary, not a substitute for your provider's advice.
Questions
Asked honestly, answered honestly
Do I have to take it forever?
For as long as you want the effect. It's suppressing an ongoing hormonal process, not curing it — stop and the process resumes.
Why does timing matter so much?
Because treatment protects follicles that are still active. The earlier a provider reviews it, the more there is left to work with.
Also for hair
See whether finasteride is right for you
Five minutes of questions, reviewed by a licensed provider. Treatment only if it's appropriate — and a straight answer either way.