Finasteride Vs Saw Palmetto: Best For Hair?

According to recent research, about 50.31% of Indians experience serious hair loss under the age of 25. Year by year, the number of people is increasing. If you are reading this, you are among that percentage because, in any other case, you would be spending time figuring out what haircuts are best for men or what haircut fits your face type or something else. But no, you are here to figure out the saw palmetto and finasteride. Finasteride and saw palmetto are two different compounds that are sometimes considered for hair health, particularly in the context of addressing male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia).

Finasteride is a prescribed drug or medication that helps to reduce hair loss. It is a highly prescribed medicine by the professional. Where saw palmetto is a herb which is a natural way to reduce hair loss. Both are effective because they inhibit the activity of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is implicated in hair loss. 

Finasteride For Hair Loss

Yes, finasteride is effective for hair loss. The action of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) causes hair follicles to shrink, which is what causes hair loss in males. It is a hormone that is created in the hair matrix cells when the blood-derived testosterone is processed by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. Inhibiting this enzyme prevents testosterone from being converted to DHT, which inhibits the hair getting smaller. And exactly what finasteride does.

Since 1989, with serious and very powerful clinical trials, finasteride has been shown to reverse common male pattern baldness. Although slowly, when you stop taking finasteride you will lose any hair that has recovered during treatment. It is a drug or medication which works till you use it.

Moreover, finasteride takes several months to give effective results. It works slowly in the body. It is important to remember that hair grows slowly, therefore the effects of therapy won't become apparent for five to six months. To determine whether the treatment is beneficial, it is advised that the patient follow it for at least a year. As soon as you stop taking finasteride, the result starts to disappear but very slowly. As the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, which causes alopecia, is specifically inhibited by the medication, it stands to reason that if this enzyme is not inhibited, it will continue to function and cause hair loss. However, this occurs with all androgenic alopecia treatments other than hair transplantation because, the DHT's inhibitory effect on hair growth is also the same that stimulates hair growth in other areas of the body, like the beard and the posterior region of the scalp, which is where hair transplant follicles are derived.

So, the question arises, do we have to take it forever, then? Maybe yes, as with any other treatment. Well, there is a very rare case of having any negative effect on it. For this reason, if a patient takes finasteride he must do so under medical supervision, since, after all, he is taking medication. It is important to keep in mind that this medicine is utilised at doses of 1 mg for the hair and 5 mg for the prostate. As a result, data about side effects are occasionally unclear and are more common at 5 mg doses. For this reason, the dosage of 1 mg is used for hair 

Impotence is one of the adverse effects that men are most concerned about. Is this common?

There are many forums on the networks which talk about the high frequency of sexual side effects, such as decreased libido and erectile function, the experience of several dermatologists suggests that they are actually extremely rare and can be resolved by stopping the prescription. "Post Finasteride syndrome" is a unique ailment that has been reported. It consists of the presence of sexual dysfunction along with psychological alterations and diffuse physical alterations that are difficult to explain, which persist after stopping treatment with finasteride. In recent times, there has been a growing recognition of this mental health issue as one of the induced delusional disorders that are unrelated to the direct effects of finasteride.

Yes, it can lead to a decrease in ejaculation and sperm motility, which can lower fertility. As a result, patients who wish to have children, after a period of time without achieving it, are recommended to prevent it. Prostate and breast cancer incidence in men are two additional side effects that should be closely watched in people who take it. However, the results that are being made public refute these theories.

Saw Palmetto For Hair

There are many studies and theories linked to the saw palmetto and hair loss. Saw Palmetto(also called Florida palm, Serenoa repens, serenoa serrulata or sabal serrulata), is a plant that grows in the southeastern United States. This plant's fruit is rich in fatty acids, including as lauric, myristic, and oleic acids, and beta sitosterol, which may inhibit 5 alpha-reductase. This means that benign prostatic hyperplasia would be its primary indication in theory. However, there is no clinical trial or scientific foundation for its use in androgenic alopecia. The FDA & FSSAI have not cleared this product for use as medicine.

However, some have even claimed that it is just as effective as finasteride. But it is still a doubt point. There is no same effect between saw palmetto and finasteride. In 2012, the only serious comparative study of treatment with both was carried out in 100 patients over 2 years. They state in their conclusions that clinical trials would be required to confirm that saw palmetto could alleviate androgenic alopecia, even if finasteride has already shown this. There hasn't been a single clinical trial conducted for science yet. But, many people use saw palmetto for hair loss or androgenic alopecia. Because it can reduce the conversion of testosterone like a finasteride dose. It is even believed that it worked for many androgenic alopecia patients, but there is no study to support it. Well, there is no side effect linked to saw palmetto because it is a plant extract and there is no chance of any reaction or adverse effect in the body.

Finasteride or Saw Palmetto- Which is better?

As per the above discussion, we recommended finasteride as best as it is proven in many studies. You will notice less hair fall with it. To avoid side effects, stick to 1mg only and consult with a healthcare professional.