Prescription required
Finasteride
Male pattern hair loss
- Strengths:
- 1mg
- Indicative price:
- £14.39
GetMeds Online
Male pattern hair loss
Gradual thinning at the temples and crown caused by hormones and genetics.
This guide is general health information about Male pattern hair loss. It is not personal medical advice and does not replace an assessment by your GP or pharmacist. Any treatment is only supplied after a consultation is reviewed by a UK prescriber at our partner pharmacy.
In short
Male pattern hair loss is a genetic type of hair thinning, caused by a hormone called DHT shrinking hair follicles on the scalp over time. It follows a typical pattern — receding at the temples and thinning on the crown. Treatment can slow it down or partly regrow hair, but it won't fully restore a young hairline.
- How common
- About half of men will have some hair loss by age 50
- Typical pattern
- Receding hairline at the temples plus thinning on the crown
- How long treatment takes to work
- 3–6 months, with a proper check at 6–12 months
- What happens if you stop
- Any benefit is usually lost within 6–12 months
Overview
Male pattern hair loss affects around half of men by the age of fifty. Treatment works best when it is started early, and it needs to be continued to keep any benefit.
Common symptoms
- Receding hairline
- Thinning at the crown
- Hair becoming finer over time
What causes it
- An inherited sensitivity of hair follicles to DHT
- Age — around half of men are affected by fifty
- Family history on either side
What you can do yourself
- Be gentle with wet hair and avoid tight styles
- Treat any scalp irritation or dandruff
- Take photographs so you can judge progress fairly at six months
What you'll be asked
- 1Where your hair loss is and what pattern it follows — patchy or all-over thinning can mean something different is going on
- 2Whether your scalp looks red, flaky, scarred, or has spots or pustules
- 3Whether hair loss runs in your family, how quickly it's progressing, and photos to track change over time
- 4Whether you have any thyroid problems, low iron, a recent illness, or have started any new medicines
How it is usually treated
Topical minoxidil is applied to the scalp twice daily; oral finasteride reduces DHT. Both need at least three to six months before benefit is clear, and any benefit is lost within months of stopping.
Minoxidil 5% solution or foam, applied to the scalp
Rub into a dry scalp twice a day. It's normal to notice more shedding for the first 2–8 weeks — this doesn't mean it's not working, so don't stop. Don't apply it to broken or irritated skin.
Finasteride 1 mg tablet, taken daily
Lowers the level of the hormone (DHT) in your scalp that shrinks hair follicles. It stops further hair loss in most men who take it, and a smaller number see some regrowth.
Using both together
Combining minoxidil and finasteride works better than either one alone, according to trial evidence.
Doses shown are indicative. Any treatment is chosen by the prescriber at our partner pharmacy based on your answers.
Follow-up and reviews
- Take photos of your hair in the same way at the start, then at 6 and 12 months, to see if it's working
- If you're taking finasteride, mention any changes to your sex drive, erections, or mood at each repeat prescription
- If there's no improvement after 12 months, it's reasonable to stop and think about other options
Safety and who should avoid it
- Women who are or might become pregnant should not take finasteride, and should not even handle broken or crushed tablets
- Finasteride lowers a blood marker called PSA by around half — always tell any doctor testing your PSA that you take it
- A small number of men notice reduced sex drive, erection problems or low mood; in rare cases these have continued after stopping — tell your prescriber if this happens
- Minoxidil can irritate the scalp, and if it spreads to your face it can cause unwanted hair growth there
Get urgent help if you notice
- Hair loss that comes on suddenly, in patches, or in round bald spots (this may be a different condition called alopecia areata)
- A scalp that is scarred, blistered or painful
- Hair loss together with weight change, tiredness, or a change in periods in a partner who is also using the treatment
- A lump, tenderness or discharge from the nipple while taking finasteride
Call 999 for an emergency, or NHS 111 for urgent advice.
When to see a doctor
- Patchy, sudden or circular hair loss
- Hair loss with a sore, scaly or scarring scalp
- Hair loss alongside weight change, tiredness or a new medicine
Treatments you can request
Prescription required
Regaine Extra Strength
Male pattern hair loss
- Strengths:
- 5%
- Indicative price:
- £24.99
Common questions
- How long before I see a difference?
- Expect three to six months, and shedding can briefly increase at the start.
- What happens if I stop?
- Hair returns to where it would have been within about six to twelve months.