Losing hair? You’re not alone: two out of three guys will experience some form of male pattern baldness by the time they’re 35. That’s where finasteride and minoxidil come in.
Finasteride and minoxidil are the two most prominent—and clinically proven—treatments for men’s hair loss. Although they both work to achieve the same goal (slowing down hair loss and promoting regrowth), they work in totally different ways. Let’s break minoxidil vs finasteride down:
What’s the difference between finasteride and minoxidil?
Finasteride (generic Propecia) is a DHT blocker. DHT is a hormone that binds to men’s hair follicles and damages them, ultimately rendering them unable to grow new hair. Finasteride prevents hair loss by stopping your body from converting testosterone into DHT.
Minoxidil (generic Rogaine) is a vasodilator (improves blood flow), facilitating the flow of blood to hair follicles. This increased blood flow, in turn, delivers more oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles, possibly promoting hair growth.
How do finasteride and minoxidil help treat hair loss?
Finasteride helps stop hair loss and grows new hair by blocking DHT.
Minoxidil doesn’t stop hair loss, but it does help grow new hair thicker and faster than before.
Finasteride and minoxidil (the only two FDA-approved products to treat men’s hair loss) have been proven successful at treating hair loss in men, according to multiple studies.
Can you take minoxidil and finasteride together?
Yes! Finasteride and minoxidil work through different mechanisms, so there is no risk in using both products at the same time. In fact, taking them in tandem may even be the most effective means of tackling hair loss.
Easy Health makes that simple by combining the ingredients in a single capsule. Our compounding pharmacy prepares it in a low but effective dose, so you see all the benefits while avoiding side effects.
Finasteride and minoxidil are different medications, and each serves a different purpose. Because finasteride stops hair loss at its source by blocking DHT production, many doctors will recommend it as the first step to combat male pattern baldness.
Ultimately, combatting hair loss is a commitment—in order for the treatments to work, you need to take finasteride and minoxidil daily. It usually takes at least 4 months of treatment to see results.
Finasteride’s sexual side effects
Let’s just jump right into what’s likely your biggest fear though: erectile dysfunction. Or, more specifically, the fear that taking finasteride will disrupt your sex life.
Though rare, in clinical trials, 3.8% of male patients noticed some form of sexual side effects (versus 2.1% of patients using the placebo), including less desire for sex, difficulty in achieving an erection, or a decrease in the amount of semen released during sex. This may continue after stopping treatment.
The number to focus on there is 3.8%. It’s small. Now, that’s not to diminish your concern or to say that the 3.8% people experiencing these symptoms don’t matter—but rather to point out that this isn’t a guaranteed side effect of taking finasteride. Despite what you may hear, for 96% of men, taking this common hair loss medication doesn’t mean you have to choose between your sex life and your hairline. Plus, it’s important to note that 2.1% of men using the placebo experienced the same side effects.
