About 66% of adult men at some moment in their lives are thought to have different forms of male pattern baldness. It can be hair receding on lateral sides of the forehead or developing of a bald patch on the top of the head. In every case it can be much unexpected and very unpleasant.

Some men have to confront thinning of hair or its complete loss when they are still young but mostly this problem affects the men at about 50.

What would a hair loss sufferer do and how much would he pay to gain his hair back?

Thousand of dollars are spent by men on treatments and medicine in order not to lose an opportunity to have healthy and strong hair and thus masculine appearance. Since beautiful mane has always been a symbol of health and manhood loosing one’s hair becomes a shock especially when this happens at the young age. With a shock come vulnerability and a desire to correct “the defect” and to turn away the disaster.

That’s why a person is ready to buy everything that will be offered. The main goal is to eliminate the problem and the sooner the better.

But the hair loss sufferer should be very careful no to waste his money on means based on myths and false facts. In spite of а wide variety of different products on the market claiming to prevent baldness or to help rapid hair regrowth there are only two non-surgical medications that are officially approved and certified by FDA. They are Propecia (Finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil).

Propecia has a FDA approval since 1998. The longest controlled clinical studies have been conducted on the drug to prove its effectiveness and to find possible side effects. The clinical studies lasted five years. During this period men suffering mild or moderate hair loss on the vertex had either improvement in the hair growth (48 %) or didn’t suffer from further hair loss (42 %). Propecia had also some positive results for the men having hair problems on the middle front of the head.

Certainly as all prescribed drugs Propecia may cause side effects. In this case they are connected with some sexual dysfunction. The good point about it is the fact that only few men are experiencing certain side effects (in clinical studies the number of those affected amounted to 2%). Side effects go away as soon as the treatment with a medication is stopped. One can cease the treatment without causing himself any harm. Moreover side effects are mostly to disappear after several months of taking the drug since the organism will adjust to the medication and stable hormonal environment will be settled.

The medication surely needs some time to bring any results. It can take up to 3 months before less hair loss can be noticed. Only after taking the drug for about 6 month new hair can begin to grow. There is also a slight chance that medicine wouldn't work for everyone. But if it does work for you in a year you can have even some lost hair regrown.

Starting any treatment arm yourself with patience, persistence and a strong wish to overcome the problem. Nothing comes easily especially when it concerns the health. To avoid some mistakes and to achieve success while treating male hair loss, try to stick to three principles: gather all possible information on the issue, use only approved medications and be patient. And the positive results will not keep you waiting.

Lyudmyla