Long-Term Use of Hair Loss Medication: If You’re Worried, Here’s a Summary of Safety and Benefits

Many people have concerns about side effects while taking hair loss medications such as finasteride and dutasteride for a long time.

Recently, one patient left the following question:

Q: I have been taking finasteride for one year, and

I have had no sexual dysfunction or any other side effects at all.

However, my dermatologist told me to stop taking the medication,

citing possible future side effects.

If I have no side effects now, is it likely that they could appear later?

According to medical research, no major problems were found with long-term finasteride use (10 years) or long-term dutasteride use (5 years).

In medicine, if no long-term problems occur for more than 5 years,

it is generally considered that continued use is unlikely to cause major issues.

Therefore, if you currently have no side effects, the likelihood of major long-term problems is low.

And long-term use of finasteride is not just about the absence of side effects;

it may also offer health benefits.

Let’s look at how long-term use of finasteride, a representative hair loss medication, may affect reduced prostate cancer risk, improved cholesterol levels, and reduced risk of heart attack.

1. Reduced risk of prostate cancer

Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that prevents testosterone from being converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), thereby suppressing the enlargement of prostate cells.

This action may help reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer.

In 2013, a large-scale study conducted in the United States reported that finasteride use reduced the risk of prostate cancer by about 25%.

2. Improved cholesterol levels

Finasteride’s DHT-inhibiting effect may also have a positive effect on lipid metabolism.

Some studies suggest that finasteride may reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, thereby lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.

For example, one study found that finasteride use reduced total cholesterol by an average of 3.5% and LDL cholesterol by an average of 5%.

These results suggest that finasteride may help improve hyperlipidemia.

3. Reduced risk of heart attack

Improvements in cholesterol levels are directly linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack.

Therefore, long-term finasteride use may help reduce the risk of heart attack.

One study reported that people taking finasteride had about a 15% lower risk of heart attack than non-users.

This is thought to be related to finasteride’s lipid-improving effects.

Safety and benefits of long-term use of hair loss medication

Conclusion

Long-term use of finasteride may provide various health benefits, including not only treatment for hair loss and benign prostatic hyperplasia but also reduced risk of prostate cancer, improved cholesterol levels, and reduced risk of heart attack.

However, since every medication can affect each person differently, if you are considering long-term use, please consult a medical professional to make the best decision for your health condition.

This has been Kim Jino, it’s time to hairhair.

Fill life with new hair (必生新毛).

[This post is written directly by the clinic director for the purpose of providing information in accordance with Article 56, Paragraph 1 of the Medical Service Act. Hair transplant surgery and treatment may have side effects, so please make a careful decision after consulting with a specialist.]