Hair Foundation Blog

In recent studies of male baldness and the drug finasteride (Propecia), researchers have discovered while there’s a high rate of success for new hair growth with the drug, a side effect has emerged.

According to a Reuters article, an analysis published in the Archives of Dermatology found that “men with the most common form of baldness who took finasteride are more likely to experience an increase in hair count, and say they believe their hair is thicker. But approximately one in 80 also experience erectile dysfunction.”

One doctor commented that studies showed that the men did not discontinue taking the drug and he surmised the men really prefer having hair.

Dr. Matt Leavitt, Hair Foundation secretary and medical director of the Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery Clinic, was quoted in the article as saying he wasn’t surprised by the findings, and prescribes finasteride quite often for his patients.

Furthermore, Leavitt said, ”…there is an occasional patient that does describe a sexual side effect, but most are willing to try the drug knowing they can just stop taking it if any problems arise. We know that it works on most patients.”

 To read the entire article including the recent findings, please see the following link.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Without counting different skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer for women in the United States, according to the CDC.  One of the many side effects for breast cancer patients is hair loss during treatment. Studies have shown that for many women, hair loss is more devastating than the loss of a breast since that loss can be concealed whereas hair loss is more obvious.

According to Dr. E. Antonio Mangubat, chairman and president of Hair Foundation, ”Depending on the type of treatment chosen for breast cancer, the amount of hair loss will vary. It can range from baldness and the loss of eyelashes to just thinning hair. After treatments have been completed, hair will grow back but it will vary on the type of treatment a patient has had. And on occasion, hair will grow back differently, with some patients liking their new head of hair more than their pre-cancer hair.”

If you have breast cancer or have a loved one battling the disease, please read the following information on hair loss and regrowth from the site, www.breastcancer.org.