In a recent email received in our office, our patient was concerned about having experienced some hair shedding after taking Propecia medication. He is concerned if the medication will continue causing hair shed and of the additional possible side effects associated with Propecia. In addition, he wanted to know if having been “malnutrition” at the time and a family history of hair loss may be the reason for his current situation.
Propecia is a medical treatment that has been clinically tested, proven effective and FDA approved for safe consumption. In some cases, an increase in hair shedding may be evident during the first few weeks or months. Within or after 6 months of taking Propecia, hair growth should become more evident. It’s highly suggested not to be discouraged so early in the treatment and not to expect results too early as well. As for sexual side effects associated with Propecia, they have only been recorded in 1 out of every 100 patients tested and continued use has shown that side effects become minimal or non-existent. If they do continue, you can take a lesser amount of Propecia or discontinue its use.
Most patients with a family history of hair loss are more prone to male or female pattern baldness than others. The positive side is if caught early the effects of hair loss can be prevented, slowed or corrected. Malnutrition can cause some loss of hair but that can only be attested to severe vitamin deficiency. If your body is lacking in vitamins, vitamin supplements can help reverse that. As long as you maintain a well balanced diet, vitamin deficiency should not be an issue.
At the patient’s current state, we have recommended that he start setting up a good relationship with a hair transplant surgeon to monitor his progress and suggest ways to prevent or correct current or future hair loss. He still needs a proper diagnosis for his current situation but once that is done we can better his personal situation and give him the options he needs to prevent or correct his situation.
For more information regarding hair restoration or medical spa services and information, the Hair Transplant Clinic of Orange County and Hair Transplant Clinic of Orange County can provide educational information in person or by phone.