Will I Lose All Progress If I Stop Taking Finasteride? A Comprehensive Look

October 7, 2025 •

4 min read

In clinical trials, a daily 1mg dose of finasteride was found to halt hair loss or increase hair growth in up to 90% of men [1.2.4]. But a common question remains: will I lose all progress if I stop taking finasteride?

Quick Summary

Stopping finasteride leads to a reversal of its effects. Hair loss typically resumes within a few months, and any hair gained or preserved will likely be lost within a year as DHT levels return to normal.

Key Points

Reversal is Expected: Stopping finasteride is not permanent; hair loss will resume and you will likely lose any hair gained or preserved within 9-12 months [1.2.1, 1.8.2].
DHT Levels Normalize Quickly: Within about two weeks of stopping finasteride, your body's DHT levels will return to pre-treatment levels [1.2.2, 1.11.4].
No Tapering Needed: Finasteride can be stopped abruptly ("cold turkey") without medical need for a tapering-off period [1.7.1, 1.7.4].
Progress Is Not Permanently Lost: Your hair loss will revert to the level it would have been at had you never taken the medication; it does not become worse than your natural baseline [1.7.3].
Alternatives Exist: If you stop finasteride, other treatments like minoxidil, dutasteride, or topical finasteride can be considered to manage hair loss [1.2.2, 1.6.2].
Combination Therapy Is Effective: Using finasteride and minoxidil together is often more effective than using either one alone [1.5.5, 1.10.1].
Consult a Doctor: Always speak with a healthcare provider before stopping finasteride to discuss the implications and explore other options [1.2.2].

The Role of Finasteride in Treating Hair Loss

Finasteride is a prescription medication primarily used to treat male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) [1.4.3]. Its effectiveness stems from its function as a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor [1.4.2]. This enzyme is responsible for converting testosterone into a more potent androgen called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) [1.4.1]. In genetically susceptible individuals, DHT binds to hair follicles on the scalp, causing them to shrink—a process known as miniaturization. This leads to shorter, finer hairs and eventually stops hair growth altogether [1.8.3].

By inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase, finasteride significantly lowers DHT levels in the scalp and serum, by as much as 70% [1.5.2]. This reduction in DHT protects hair follicles from miniaturization, which can halt the progression of hair loss and, in many cases, stimulate the regrowth of hair [1.4.3]. Clinical studies have demonstrated its efficacy, with one review showing 83% of men experienced no further hair loss after two years of treatment [1.9.1].

What Happens When You Stop Taking Finasteride?

The benefits of finasteride are directly tied to its continuous use. It manages male pattern baldness but does not cure it [1.4.1]. When you stop taking the medication, its inhibitory effect on the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme ceases.

Timeline of Reversal

Within 14 Days: DHT levels in the body begin to rise and return to their normal, pre-treatment state [1.2.2, 1.11.4].
1 to 3 Months: The renewed presence of DHT starts to affect the hair follicles again. Some users may begin to notice an increase in hair shedding [1.11.1].
3 to 12 Months: The process of hair loss resumes. Over this period, any hair that was maintained or regrown due to finasteride will likely be lost [1.2.1, 1.11.2]. Within a year of stopping, your hair will typically revert to the state it would have been in as if you had never taken the medication [1.4.1, 1.8.1].

It is a misconception that hair loss will be worse than it was before starting. Rather, you lose the ground gained and your hair loss catches up to its natural genetic progression [1.7.3].

How to Discontinue Finasteride

According to medical sources, there is no requirement to taper off finasteride; it can be stopped "cold turkey" without causing withdrawal symptoms [1.7.1, 1.7.4]. The medication does not create physical dependence [1.7.2]. However, it is always recommended to consult with a healthcare provider before discontinuing any prescription medication. They can provide personalized advice and discuss alternative options if your reason for stopping is related to side effects or other concerns [1.2.2].

Potential Side Effects of Finasteride

While generally well-tolerated, finasteride can cause side effects in a small percentage of users (approximately 2% to 4%). These can include:

Decreased libido (sex drive) [1.2.3].
Erectile dysfunction [1.2.3].
Decreased ejaculate volume [1.2.3].
Gynecomastia (male breast tissue enlargement) [1.2.2].

For most men, these side effects are reversible and cease within a few weeks of stopping the medication [1.2.2]. In rare cases, some men report persistent side effects after discontinuation, a condition sometimes referred to as post-finasteride syndrome (PFS), though research in this area is ongoing [1.2.2, 1.2.3].

Alternatives and Combination Therapies

If you are considering stopping finasteride due to side effects or a lack of results, there are other treatment avenues to explore.


Treatment	Mechanism of Action	How It Compares to Finasteride	Administration
Minoxidil (Rogaine)	A vasodilator that is thought to improve blood flow to hair follicles and prolong the hair's growth phase [1.6.4].	Works via a different pathway; does not block DHT. Often used in combination with finasteride for enhanced results [1.10.2].	Topical solution or foam [1.6.4] / Oral pill [1.6.4].
Dutasteride (Avodart)	A more potent 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor that blocks two types of the enzyme (Type 1 and 2), while finasteride blocks only Type 2 [1.9.1, 1.9.4].	Reduces serum DHT by up to 99% [1.9.4]. Some studies suggest it may be more effective for hair growth but may also have a higher risk of side effects [1.9.2, 1.9.3]. It is often prescribed off-label for hair loss [1.9.1].	Oral pill.
Topical Finasteride	Applied directly to the scalp to lower local DHT levels, with the goal of reducing systemic side effects [1.2.2].	May have fewer systemic side effects than the oral version, though it can still be absorbed into the body [1.10.4]. Often combined with topical minoxidil [1.10.4].	Topical spray or solution.
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)	Uses red light to stimulate hair follicles, believed to encourage hair to enter the growth phase [1.6.4].	A non-drug, non-invasive option. Can be used alongside finasteride or other treatments [1.6.4].	At-home caps or headbands.
Natural Options (e.g., Saw Palmetto)	Some natural supplements like saw palmetto are believed to inhibit the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, similar to finasteride [1.6.4].	The evidence for their effectiveness is not as strong or consistent as the evidence for finasteride [1.6.3].	Oral supplement or topical ingredient.

Studies show that combining finasteride and minoxidil is often more effective than using either medication alone, with one study noting a 94.1% improvement rate for combination therapy versus 80.5% for finasteride alone [1.10.1, 1.5.5].

Conclusion

So, will you lose all progress if you stop taking finasteride? The evidence is clear: yes, the progress made is temporary and dependent on continued use of the drug [1.2.1, 1.2.2]. Once you stop, your body’s DHT production resumes, and your hair loss will return to its genetically predetermined path, typically within a year [1.8.2]. The decision to start, stop, or switch hair loss treatments should always be made in consultation with a healthcare professional who can help you weigh the benefits against the potential risks and guide you toward the most suitable and effective long-term strategy for your situation.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions about your health or treatment. An authoritative source for further reading is the National Institutes of Health (NIH). You can find detailed information on Finasteride here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513329/

Frequently Asked Questions

You can expect hair loss to resume within a few months. Most people lose the hair they gained or maintained within 9 to 12 months after discontinuing the medication [1.2.1, 1.11.2].

No, your hair loss will not be worse than your natural progression. It will return to the state it would have been in if you had never started the treatment [1.7.3, 1.8.2].

Yes, medically there is no need to taper your dose. Finasteride can be stopped abruptly without causing withdrawal symptoms [1.7.1, 1.7.4].

For the majority of men, any side effects experienced while taking finasteride, such as decreased libido or erectile dysfunction, resolve within a few weeks of stopping the medication [1.2.2, 1.2.3].

Studies have shown that DHT levels return to their normal, pre-treatment baseline within about 14 days of stopping finasteride [1.2.2, 1.11.4].

Yes, alternatives include topical minoxidil, the more potent oral medication dutasteride, topical finasteride (often combined with minoxidil), and low-level laser therapy. It's best to discuss these options with a doctor [1.6.2, 1.6.4].

A short break of less than a month may not cause significant hair loss because the drug's effects on scalp DHT can last for several weeks. However, pauses longer than a month increase the risk of hair loss resuming [1.3.2, 1.11.1].