Does it work for androgenetic alopecia?
Last reviewed (demo): 2025-11-10
Verdict
Works
Evidence
A
Very strong
Effectiveness
90/100
Trials show increased hair count, improved investigator and patient ratings, and halted progression in roughly 9 of 10 men over 5 years. Frontal and vertex loss both respond; complete regrowth is uncommon.
Safety
74/100
Most users tolerate finasteride well. Sexual side effects occur in a small minority and usually resolve with dose change or discontinuation, but rare persistent reports exist and remain an active research area. Regular medical review is sensible for long-term use.
User Score
7.2/10
Prototype sentiment
Confidence
Very High
Prototype confidence
Strong evidence supports this treatment. All scores on this page are prototype placeholders — not validated ProofCritic ratings and not calculated from the study index below.
Calculated from publications ProofCritic has indexed from scientific databases (PubMed / Europe PMC). Metrics ProofCritic cannot yet calculate reliably are shown as “Not yet calculated” — never estimated.
“Research indexed by ProofCritic” means real publication metadata has been stored — it has not yet been human-verified and does not influence the prototype rating above. How verification works →
Finasteride's scientific rating is based on indexed publications — see The Evidence at a Glance.
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For men with pattern hair loss, finasteride has the strongest evidence of any medical treatment and is typically the highest-impact option. It works at the hormonal root cause and preserves hair for most long-term users. The trade-off is prescription status and a real, though uncommon, risk of side effects — discuss them with a doctor first.
Real-world experience (prototype): The strongest predictor of satisfaction is expectation-setting: users who understand the 3–6 month timeline and maintenance commitment report far better experiences than those expecting quick, dramatic regrowth.
Finasteride inhibits type II 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Lower DHT reduces follicle miniaturisation, the core process of pattern loss.
Who it may suit: Men with mild to moderate pattern hair loss who want the strongest evidence-backed medical option and accept daily medication.
Who should be cautious: Women who are or may become pregnant, men planning fertility treatment (discuss first), and anyone unwilling to accept possible side effects. Use under medical supervision.
Not a complete list. Speak to a pharmacist or doctor for guidance specific to you.
ProofCritic evaluates the intervention separately from products containing it.
DemoPharma
Topical medication
Oral medication
Procedure / device
Procedure