Finasteride: What It Is, How It Works, and What Alternatives Exist

When you hear Finasteride, a prescription medication used to treat male pattern baldness and benign prostatic hyperplasia by blocking the hormone DHT. Also known as Propecia or Proscar, it's one of the few FDA-approved drugs that actually slows hair loss and reduces prostate size in men. Unlike topical creams or shampoos that claim to thicken hair, Finasteride works from the inside by stopping your body from turning testosterone into dihydrotestosterone — or DHT — the main culprit behind shrinking hair follicles and prostate growth.

Finasteride doesn’t just help with hair. It’s also used to manage benign prostatic hyperplasia, a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that causes frequent urination and weak urine flow. Men over 50 often take it to avoid surgery or reduce symptoms. But its most talked-about use is for male pattern baldness, a genetic condition where hair thins at the temples and crown, affecting up to 70% of men at some point. Studies show that about 80% of men who take Finasteride daily stop losing hair, and many see regrowth after six to twelve months.

It’s not a magic pill, though. You have to take it every day — stop, and your body starts making DHT again, and hair loss resumes. Side effects like lowered libido or erectile issues happen in a small group of users, but they’re usually reversible. Many men wonder if there are better or safer options. That’s where DHT blockers, natural or pharmaceutical substances that reduce the effects of dihydrotestosterone come in. Things like saw palmetto, pumpkin seed oil, or even minoxidil (Rogaine) are often compared to Finasteride, but none have the same level of proven effectiveness.

Looking through the posts here, you’ll find detailed comparisons between Finasteride and other treatments — from how it stacks up against minoxidil for hair regrowth, to how it differs from drugs like dutasteride (which blocks more types of DHT), to what real users report about side effects and results. You’ll also see how it fits into broader health discussions — like its role in managing prostate health alongside blood pressure meds, or how it interacts with other supplements men take for energy or testosterone. This isn’t just a list of articles. It’s a practical guide for men who want to understand their options before making a decision.