How do I know if finasteride is affecting me?

October 7, 2025 •

5 min read

In clinical trials, finasteride has been shown to halt the progression of hair loss in approximately 90% of men, though seeing results requires patience. Knowing how to monitor your progress and identify potential side effects is key to understanding if finasteride is working for you.

Quick Summary

Assessing finasteride's impact involves tracking changes in hair density and shedding over several months, as visible results are not immediate. It also requires awareness of common side effects, both physical and psychological. Regular self-monitoring, along with professional consultation, helps gauge its effectiveness and manage any adverse reactions.

Key Points

Initial Shedding is Normal: An increase in hair loss during the first 1-3 months can be a positive sign that finasteride is resetting your hair growth cycle.
Patience is Key: Visible improvements in hair thickness and regrowth are gradual, typically appearing between 6 to 12 months of consistent use.
Sexual and Psychological Side Effects: Be vigilant for common side effects like decreased libido and erectile dysfunction, and less common but serious psychiatric issues like depression or anxiety.
Track Progress with Photos: Since changes are subtle, consistently taking photos of your scalp under similar conditions is the best way to monitor your finasteride results.
Consult a Doctor for Concerns: If you experience persistent or concerning side effects, or if you see no progress after a year, speak with your healthcare provider to discuss alternative options or adjust your treatment.
Continued Use is Necessary: Stopping finasteride will cause DHT levels to return to normal, and the hair loss process will resume, leading to the loss of any hair gained.

Understanding How Finasteride Works

Finasteride is an FDA-approved oral medication primarily used to treat male pattern hair loss, or androgenetic alopecia. Its core function is to inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the primary hormone responsible for shrinking hair follicles and causing male pattern baldness. By lowering DHT levels, finasteride can protect hair follicles, slow down hair loss, and promote regrowth. However, since hair growth is a slow process, visible results and potential side effects occur over a specific timeline.

The Finasteride Timeline: From Initial Shed to Regrowth

Knowing the typical timeline for finasteride's effects can help you set realistic expectations and determine if it's working properly. Visible results, whether positive or negative, take time to appear.

Months 1-3: The Initial Adjustment. It’s common during this phase to experience an initial, and sometimes alarming, period of increased hair shedding. This is actually a good sign that the medication is affecting your hair growth cycle. Older, weaker hairs are being pushed out to make way for new, healthier ones. Internally, your body has already seen a significant drop in DHT levels.
Months 3-6: First Signs of Change. By this stage, the initial shedding should have stabilized, and you may start to notice less hair falling out. Some users report feeling that their hair feels thicker or seeing subtle improvements in density, particularly around the hairline or crown.
Months 6-12: More Noticeable Results. Around the one-year mark, finasteride's benefits become more apparent. Many users see a measurable increase in hair count and thickness. In some cases, bald patches may begin to fill in. If you haven't seen any improvements by this point, it's worth discussing with a healthcare provider, though the medication may still be preventing further loss.
Beyond 12 Months: Maintenance. Consistent, long-term use is necessary to maintain results. Continued use can lead to further gradual improvements in hair density over several years. Stopping treatment will cause DHT levels to rise again, and any hair gained will likely be lost within 6 to 12 months.

How to Track Finasteride's Effectiveness

Since changes are gradual, you need to actively monitor your progress. This makes it easier to confirm that the medication is working and helps you stay motivated through the slow timeline.

Take regular photographs: The best way to track subtle changes is by taking regular photos of your scalp. Use consistent lighting conditions, angles, and hair styling to ensure accurate comparisons over time. Take pictures every 1-3 months.
Track your shedding: Pay attention to the amount of hair you lose daily, such as in the shower or on your pillow. A decrease in shedding over time is a positive sign.
Assess hair texture: Finasteride can help hair follicles produce thicker, healthier strands. You may notice your hair feeling fuller and more voluminous.

Recognizing Potential Finasteride Side Effects

While many men tolerate finasteride well, it's crucial to be aware of the potential side effects. These can range from mild to severe and, in rare cases, may persist even after discontinuing the drug. If you experience any of these, contact your doctor.

Sexual Side Effects: The most commonly reported side effects relate to sexual function, which can include decreased libido (sex drive), erectile dysfunction (ED), and decreased ejaculate volume. These are more common at higher doses (5 mg) but can occur with the 1 mg dose used for hair loss. For many, these side effects resolve with continued use or by stopping the medication.
Psychiatric Side Effects: Some users have reported experiencing depression, anxiety, or low mood. The UK's MHRA has asked users to stay vigilant for these psychiatric symptoms, and the FDA has added warnings. If you experience these, especially suicidal thoughts, stop treatment and contact a doctor immediately.
Physical Side Effects: Less common physical effects can include gynecomastia (breast enlargement or tenderness), skin rashes, testicular pain, and dizziness upon standing. Swelling of the lips, face, or tongue can indicate a serious allergic reaction requiring immediate medical help.

Effectiveness vs. Side Effects: A Comparison

To help you understand the different ways finasteride can affect you, the following table summarizes the typical timeline and characteristics of both its therapeutic effects and potential adverse reactions.


Indicator	Signs of Effectiveness	Potential Side Effects
Timeline	1-3 months: Shedding increases temporarily, a sign of follicle reset. 3-6 months: Shedding stabilizes, possible initial regrowth visible. 9-12 months: Significant improvement in hair count and density. 12+ months: Continued maintenance and slow improvement.	Early days/weeks: Sexual side effects (decreased libido, ED), low mood, anxiety may appear. Months to years: Gynecomastia, testicular pain, or persistent sexual issues can occur. After stopping: Post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) in rare cases, where symptoms persist after discontinuation.
Symptom Nature	Reduced hair loss. Increased hair density. Thicker hair texture. Filling in of thinning areas.	Decreased libido. Erectile dysfunction. Anxiety or depression. Breast enlargement. Testicular pain.
Frequency	83% of men see no further hair loss after 2 years. ~66% of men experience some degree of regrowth.	Sexual side effects reported in 2-4% of trial participants. Psychiatric side effects are rare but serious. PFS is a rare condition with persistent symptoms.

What to Do If Finasteride Isn't Working

If you've been consistent with your finasteride regimen for over a year and have not noticed any positive changes or side effects, it is unlikely to work for you. This doesn't mean it's a total failure; it might be preventing further hair loss, which can be hard to notice without consistent tracking. If you are not seeing the results you hoped for, consider the following:

Re-evaluate with your doctor: Discussing your progress with your doctor can help determine if another underlying cause is at play. They can confirm the diagnosis and suggest next steps.
Consider combination therapy: Combining finasteride with other treatments like topical minoxidil can enhance results and promote hair growth from multiple angles.
Explore other options: If finasteride is proving ineffective, alternatives like dutasteride, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, or hair transplants may be suitable.

Conclusion

For most people, figuring out if finasteride is affecting them is a matter of patience and consistent monitoring. Initial shedding can be a confusing but positive sign, while noticeable regrowth and stabilization of hair loss typically become clear after 6-12 months. Being proactive in tracking your progress with photos and self-assessments is vital. Simultaneously, remaining vigilant for potential side effects, especially sexual or mood-related changes, is essential for a safe treatment journey. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting, adjusting, or stopping finasteride to ensure it's the right fit for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Finasteride shedding typically appears as an increased loss of hair in the shower, on your pillow, or when brushing. The shed hairs may be finer and weaker, as the medication pushes out old hairs to be replaced by stronger, new ones.

The initial shedding phase usually lasts between 2 and 4 weeks, although it can extend for a couple of months. After this period, shedding typically stabilizes, and new, healthier hair growth begins to emerge.

If you have not noticed any improvement in hair loss or regrowth after a full year of consistent, daily use, it's unlikely to work for you. Continued hair loss after 6 months or more may also be a sign that it is not providing the desired effect.

Common sexual side effects include decreased libido (sex drive), erectile dysfunction (trouble getting or maintaining an erection), and decreased semen volume.

Management strategies include reducing the dosage under medical supervision, switching to a topical formulation, or incorporating a healthy diet and regular exercise. If side effects are severe or persistent, stopping the medication may be necessary.

It is generally safe to stop, but it is best to discuss a tapering plan with your doctor. When you stop, your DHT levels will return to normal, and you will lose any hair gained from the treatment within several months.

Some men have reported mood changes, including depression and anxiety, while taking finasteride. The MHRA and FDA have added warnings regarding this risk. If you experience these symptoms, especially suicidal thoughts, you should stop the medication and seek medical advice immediately.