By David Griffiths

Baldness remains one of the biggest concerns for men, and despite what some people say, it's a problem that doesn't seem set to go away any time soon. Over 65% of men experience some form of hair loss by the age of 40, which in itself, is a scary statistic.

Despite all the latest advances in science and technology, we are still yet to develop a cure for male pattern baldness - or any type of hair loss, or that matter. Although it's not a cure for baldness, the medically approved male hair loss treatment, finasteride, is the closest thing you'll find to one - or so they tell us.

What is Finasteride? 

Finasteride, sold under the brand names Proscar and Propecia among others, is a medication mainly used to treat an enlarged prostate or hair loss in men. It can also be used to treat excessive hair growth in women and as a part of hormone therapy for transgender women. It is taken by mouth, and is prescribed by a medical professional.

Approximately 30 million men, worldwide, would be prescribed finasteride or dutasteride to treat male pattern hair loss. In 1992, finasteride (5 mg) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of BPH, and in 1998, it was approved by the FDA to treat male pattern hair loss.

Finasteride is now under a host of labels, such as Manual and Hims. It's the same pill, effectively, but sold under various different bands.  These "online hair loss plans" are becoming increasingly popular, as they offer online consultations, which means you can get your subscription without having to physically visit a doctor or medical professional.



The quirky branding of each finasteride provider, such as Manual or Hims, is designed to make finasteride more approachable, and less harmful. However, the reality is, finasteride is finasteride, and what you're purchasing is exactly the same thing, regardless of how the box or packaging looks.

How effective is Finasteride?

In a nutshell: officially, finasteride is shown to be effective with hair regrowth in some men, seen as early as within the first three months of use. Men, particularly of a younger age, have experienced a slowing down of hair loss, and hair regrowth in some areas of their scalp.

There is absolutely no doubt that, if taken continuously, finasteride can halt hair loss and encourage hair growth. However, it should be noted that this isn't guaranteed to work for all users, and there is also the potential risk of nasty side-effects.

What are the side-effects of Finasteride? 

It's been over 20 years since finasteride's release as a treatment for hair loss, and yet, the growth of its popularity hasn't been as high as many would have anticipated.The main reason for this is simple: Side-effects.

Now, negative side-effects aren't a sure thing, but they do exist, and many men have suffered as a consequence of taking finasteride. Some of the more common side-effects associated with taking finasteride include:

• impotence/erectile dysfunction,
• loss of interest in sex,
• trouble having an orgasm,
• abnormal ejaculation,
• swelling in your hands or feet,
• swelling or tenderness in your breasts,
• dizziness and headaches
• weakness or feeling like you might pass out,
• skin rash.

YouTuber Steve Hogue, tried finasteride under the brand label Hims, and suffered from negative side-effects just two weeks into his usage. "After signing up, the doctors tell you that erectile dysfunction, loss of sex drive, and things like that, are very real side-effects of finasteride." Hogue says. "But I thought, no, not me, I never suffer from side-effects, but it turned out I was wrong. I had side-effects two weeks later and it really screwed me up."

Are Finasteride Online Hair Loss plans worth a try? 

Opting for an online treatment plan is no different to being prescribed finasteride at your local GP. Finasteride, whether you source it from your doctor or online, will have the same effects. It's the same thing at pretty much the same price.

If you want a hassle free prescription plan that gets delivered to your door every month, then this sort of set-up is probably ideal for you, providing the treatment actually works, and that you don't suffer from any major side-effects. 

The problem is, you won't know if you get the negative side-effects unless you actually try it. However, it's not as simple as just trying it and then coming off it. Experiencing side-effects from trying the pill can be very complicated. Some side-effects are lasting, which means they'll still be with you even after you've come off the pill. This is a common trend that many users have reported.

Some side-effects from finasteride are reported to be irreversible, which is a scary prospect in itself. So, if you're worried about side-effects from taking finasteride, then you should look elsewhere for something safer.

What is a safe alternative to Finasteride? 

When it comes to safe and natural alternatives to finasteride, the most obvious one would be a multi-vitamin hair supplement. I have studied and reviewed multi-vitamin hair supplements, and despite what sceptics say, some of these products can be very effective for treating hair loss.

The well formulated multi-vitamin supplements can help slow down and prevent the effects of excess hair shedding, and also promote the healthy function of hair growth in men and women who suffer from early stages of baldness and thinning hair.

If your hair loss is a result of poor diet or a nutritional deficiency, hair growth supplements may help. A well balanced diet will help you maintain overall health. It is impossible to get all the vital minerals into our daily diet through food alone, which is where multi-vitamin supplements come into play.

As an added bonus, multi-vitamin supplements do not come with any negative side-effects that you would associate with prescription drugs, therefore you take them knowing you are not compromising on your health.