So which is the better product? Finasteride or Propecia?

The truth is they are the same medication. Propecia is a brand of Finasteride, with the latter being the medication’s active ingredient. The only real differences between the two are appearance and price. Finasteride is a generic treatment, so it may be slightly cheaper than Propecia. And the packaging and the way the pill looks may differ as a consequence.

Although Propecia and Finasteride contain the same active ingredient, they do contain different inactive ingredients, so if you experience any side effects to particular inactive ingredients, you should discuss these with your clinician. These side effects are rare, but they may determine which of the two treatments is most suitable (and safe) for you to use.  

Propecia is used as a treatment to slow down the effects of male pattern baldness and in some cases reverse its effects to a degree. While this is hardly a cure for the condition, it is an effective treatment that has provided noticeable results for many. It is not to be used for other forms of alopecia, such as alopecia areata, which is an autoimmune condition, and will need a different treatment.

Nearly all men will lose some hair to the point that it is noticeably thinner by the time they are 60. For some, however, hair loss is more pronounced and at an earlier age. Male pattern baldness is very common, affecting between 30% and 50% of men by the age of 50.^[1] It isn't a sign of illness.

It is caused by a mixture of genetics and testosterone, which is converted to a substance called DHT (dihydrotestosterone). It is this substance that causes the accelerated rate of hair loss.

In short, Propecia lowers the levels of DHT in the scalp, which can, at the very least, slow the rate of hair loss from male pattern baldness. DHT can prevent your hair from growing, and it can cause your prostate to get larger too. While it may not work for everyone, the science behind the lowering of the effects of DHT is well observed.^[2]

Propecia use and hair loss is difficult to measure as it is not possible to know how fast it would have been if Propecia wasn't taken. What can be measured, however, is the levels of DHT in the scalp, which can be lowered by as much as 60% when Propecia is used. Propecia before and after pictures also provide visual evidence of its effectiveness.

As a much smaller amount of women also suffer from hair loss, can women use Propecia? In short, no, as its active ingredient, finasteride, has no effect on female pattern baldness. There are, however, other ways in which women can combat hair loss. Products that contain minoxidil, such as Regaine for Women, can be effective hair loss treatment options. 

It is not possible to buy Propecia over the counter or to get it from the NHS, so you will need a private prescription. Propecia in the UK is still easy to get, but it is important to use a registered online pharmacy to ensure that the product is genuine. Check to see that the site you're using has the correct safety measures set up (such as a consultation) and that the clinicians and pharmacist prescribers are UK-registered. 

You can order Propecia online from EveAdam and receive your treatment the next working day. As Propecia is a prescription medication, you will need to fill in a questionnaire and one of our UK registered clinicians will be able to see if this treatment is safe for you. The subscription service allows you to get Propecia delivered every month, two months, three months or six months. Whichever suits you best.