Cody J Cubbage
Joined 10 November 2016
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==Medical Uses== | ==Medical Uses== | ||
Finasteride is used to shrink an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), in adult men. <ref | Finasteride is used to shrink an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), in adult men. <ref name="twenty"> Allen, Helen. (2015, March). "Finasteride for prostate gland enlargement”. Information. Patient. http://patient.info/medicine/finasteride-for-prostate-gland-enlargement-proscar </ref> Since the male prostate is located near the bladder, enlargement places stress on the bladder and causes difficulty with passing urine. Common symptoms include, long period of time before urine flow, feeling the bladder is not empty, and dribbling urine.<ref name="twenty"> Allen, Helen. (2015, March). "Finasteride for prostate gland enlargement”. Information. Patient. http://patient.info/medicine/finasteride-for-prostate-gland-enlargement-proscar </ref> This medication works by blocking the enzyme 5α-reductase, which prevents conversion of testosterone to the natural body hormone, dihydrosestosterone (DHT) that causes growth of the prostate. As a result, reducing the amount of dihydrotestosterone causes the prostate to shrink and allows urine pass more easily. | ||
Finasteride can also lead to improvements in Androgenetic alopecia, commonly called male pattern baldness (MPB). This condition is also caused by a build up of DHT in tissues, which in the case of MPB, is the scalp. The build up of DHT causes androgen-dependent miniaturization of scalp hair follicles. Testosterone is the primary androgen in the body, but to be maximally active in scalp hair follicles it must be converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the enzyme 5α-reductase. Inhibition of the enzyme with Finasteride has been shown to reduce both serum and scalp skin DHT levels in balding men. In some patients, hair regrowth can occur.<ref name="twenty one"> Olsen, E. A., Hordinsky, M., & Whiting, D., et al. (2006, December). The importance of dual 5α-reductase inhibition in the treatment of male pattern hair loss: Results of a randomized placebo-controlled study of dutasteride versus finasteride. </ref> Side effects from Finasteride include but are not limited to, decreased sexual ability and desire.<ref name="twenty two"> Leyden, James et al.(June 1999)."Finasteride in the treatment of men with frontal male pattern hair loss." Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Volume 40 , Issue 6 , 930 - 937 </ref> | Finasteride can also lead to improvements in Androgenetic alopecia, commonly called male pattern baldness (MPB). This condition is also caused by a build up of DHT in tissues, which in the case of MPB, is the scalp. The build up of DHT causes androgen-dependent miniaturization of scalp hair follicles. Testosterone is the primary androgen in the body, but to be maximally active in scalp hair follicles it must be converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the enzyme 5α-reductase. Inhibition of the enzyme with Finasteride has been shown to reduce both serum and scalp skin DHT levels in balding men. In some patients, hair regrowth can occur.<ref name="twenty one"> Olsen, E. A., Hordinsky, M., & Whiting, D., et al. (2006, December). The importance of dual 5α-reductase inhibition in the treatment of male pattern hair loss: Results of a randomized placebo-controlled study of dutasteride versus finasteride. </ref> Side effects from Finasteride include but are not limited to, decreased sexual ability and desire.<ref name="twenty two"> Leyden, James et al.(June 1999)."Finasteride in the treatment of men with frontal male pattern hair loss." Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Volume 40 , Issue 6 , 930 - 937 </ref> | ||