MINDER HAAR IN JE BORSTEL, MEER VERTROUWEN IN DE SPIEGEL

If you've come to this page, you're probably concerned about your hair, and we understand that this can be very annoying. Hair loss among women is a common problem, and the search for an effective remedy is often difficult. Everyone claims to have the hair growth product for women.

In short, there is only one scientifically proven hair loss medicine for women that really works, and that is minoxidil. This hair growth product is available in both liquid and pill form, but what's the best option? In this article, we explain everything about minoxidil, how it works and what the differences are between the liquid and the pills. This way, you will soon be able to make an informed choice for the treatment that suits you best.

💡 Published in November 2024 JAMA Dermatology an international consensus of 43 hair loss experts from 12 countries. They concluded that low doses of oral minoxidil (usually 1.25 mg daily in women) are a safe and effective treatment for various forms of hair loss, including hereditary baldness and diffuse hair loss. As a result, oral minoxidil is increasingly accepted worldwide as a serious treatment option for women, even though it is still officially off-label prescribed.

What is Minoxidil and how does it work?

Minoxidil is a medication that was originally developed to treat high blood pressure. During the clinical studies, a remarkable side effect was discovered: hair growth. Since then, minoxidil has been used worldwide as an effective remedy for hair loss in both women and men.

Minoxidil works by improving blood flow to the hair follicles, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach the hair roots. This stimulates the hair growth phase and helps prevent further hair loss.

Minoxidil pills vs. Minoxidil liquid: Which is better?

Minoxidil is available in two forms: a liquid solution (lotion or foam) and oral tablets. Both have advantages and disadvantages, depending on your preference and lifestyle.

The liquid variant is applied directly to the scalp and is available in 2% and 5%. For women, the 2% variant is the usual dose. You should apply the liquid to problem areas on your scalp twice a day. In the Netherlands, this variant is available online without a prescription. In addition, this form of minoxidil has been approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), the U.S. drug authority that monitors the safety and effectiveness of drugs.

Minoxidil pills are taken orally and are only available with a doctor's prescription. The usual dose for hair loss in women is 1.25 mg per day. Although the risk of side effects is slightly higher when taken orally than with the liquid, the ease of use is significantly greater. However, the oral variant of minoxidil has not yet been approved by the FDA for the treatment of hair loss. This means that doctors can prescribe it off-label, which means prescribing the drug for a use other than what it's officially approved for.

Minoxidil side effects

While minoxidil has been proven effective and safe, it may have some side effects. The most common ones are:

• With the liquid: Irritation, itching, redness, or peeling of the scalp.
• With the pills: Low blood pressure, dizziness, fluid retention, or excessive hair growth on other parts of the body.

In addition, this medication should not be used during pregnancy.

Minoxidil experiences: what do users say?

Many women who use minoxidil report significant improvements in their hair growth. The best results are achieved, especially when used for a long time (at least 6-12 months). Some users experience side effects, such as mild scalp irritation with the liquid variant or low blood pressure with the pills. Whether you get side effects and which ones vary from person to person.

Some users, on the other hand, notice more hair loss when using minoxidil in the first months. This is normal and is called shedding. If you continue to use the drug consistently, this process stops and the hairs grow back stronger.

What's the best choice for you?

The choice between minoxidil in pill form or lotion depends on your preferences and lifestyle:

• Do you want a simple solution without applying it daily? Then choose minoxidil pills.
• Do you want a local effect and a lower risk of systemic side effects? Then go for minoxidil lotion or foam.

Conclusion: Is minoxidil the best hair growth product for women?

In short: yes. In fact, minoxidil is the only scientifically proven hair growth product for women.

Do you want to start a treatment with oral minoxidil? Then go through our online consultation immediately. Our BIG-registered Dutch doctor will assess whether minoxidil is a safe option for you. If found to be safe, you can order the minoxidil pills in subscription form, so you never have to go without medication for a day.

‍

If you've recently noticed more hair loss than usual, or are starting to see coves, or discover a bald spot on the back of your head in a photo, it's easy to worry about whether you're going to go bald.

Is it stress? A bad diet? Or is it just bad luck in the genetic lottery after all?

The harsh reality is that hair loss in men is mainly caused by a combination of genetic factors and a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

DHT can seem complicated, but it's fairly easy to understand how DHT causes hair loss once you have a basic knowledge of how your body produces DHT, as well as the harmful effects that DHT can have on your hair follicles.

Below, we've explained what DHT is, how it's produced by your body, and the effects it can have on your hair growth. In addition, we'll discuss how you can lower DHT levels so that your hair loss is stopped, or how this can stimulate new hair growth.

What is DHT?

DHT, short for dihydrotestosterone, is a hormone in your body that is produced from testosterone, the well-known male hormone.

This hormone plays a major role in making male characteristics. Not only does it provide things like a deeper voice and a firm bone structure, but also your sexual health.

Even before you're born, DHT starts its work by helping shape male body parts such as the penis and scrotum. During the teenage years, this hormone triggers a growth spurt for your beard, body and pubic hair.

DHT is therefore crucial for developing masculine traits and ensures that boys develop into men. This hormone is one of the building blocks that ensure that men get their physical and sexual characteristics.

What does DHT do?

DHT is produced from testosterone. This occurs through the action of a specific enzyme, 5-alpha reductase (5AR), which converts a small portion of testosterone into DHT. This process takes place in various parts of the body, such as your skin, liver, and prostate gland.

This process also happens in your scalp, where the enzyme converts testosterone into DHT and binds to hair follicles.

Although men typically have much more testosterone than DHT in their system, DHT still has a noticeable influence because of its powerful effect. The normal level of DHT in the blood is approximately one tenth of the testosterone level.

Even in this small amount, DHT can have a major impact on your body. For example, in adults, it can attach to the prostate, causing it to enlarge. This is called benign prostate enlargement, or BPH, and is common in middle-aged men.

Perhaps the best-known effect of DHT, and probably the reason you're reading this blog, is how it affects your hair. DHT can bind to your hair follicles on your head and stop them from making new hair. This leads to coves, a balding crown and, depending on how sensitive you are to DHT, to almost complete baldness. It is never possible to say exactly how far it will progress for you over time. It depends on how sensitive you are to DHT, not so much on the amount of DHT in your body.

The best predictor is watching your mother's father to see how far your baldness will go, but this offers no certainty either.

DHT and hair loss

In 95% of cases where men go bald, DHT is the culprit. This is because it makes the hair follicles, especially around the hairline and on top of the head, smaller.

This process is actually quite simple. Each hair on your head grows in a multi-phase cycle, often called the hair growth cycle.

In the initial phase, the anagen phase, the hair grows to its maximum length. When this growth period ends, the catagen and telogen phases follow, in which the hair stops growing and is eventually replaced by new hair.

Thanks to this continuous process, you can maintain a full head of hair, even if you lose around 100 hairs a day. As soon as an 'old' hair falls out, a new one is already ready to grow through the scalp.

But when DHT makes the hair follicles smaller, the growth phase becomes shorter and shorter, leading to balding or baldness.

Over time, hair becomes thinner and shorter due to the influence of DHT, until they eventually stop growing through the skin.

This process starts at the hairline and crown and leads to the typical signs of male hair loss: inlets and a bald spot on the crown. You know it.

Why does DHT cause me hair loss? ? But not with someone else?

Your genes determine a lot, such as your height and hair color, but also how sensitive you are to hair loss.

The term “androgenetic alopecia” refers to male hereditary baldness and combines the words for “androgen” (hormone) and “genetic.”

Some men have hair follicles that are more sensitive to DHT. These bags shrink faster and stop producing new hair sooner if DHT binds to the scalp. If you suffer from hair loss at an early age, you are often more sensitive to DHT, but your body also converts testosterone into DHT more quickly, especially at the hair follicles.

Women also produce some testosterone and thus DHT. Much less than a man but still some amount. Because DHT can already have a small impact on your body in a small amount, women can therefore also suffer from male hereditary baldness.

DHT and Testosterone

DHT and testosterone are both hormones. However, their functions within your body are different.

For a man, testosterone is a very important hormone for general well-being throughout life. This is because testosterone helps maintain normal libido, muscle mass and bone health.

Testosterone is also important for maintaining optimal mental functions, red blood cell production, and energy levels.

As a man, you need testosterone throughout your life, from childhood and adolescence to adulthood.

DHT, on the other hand, is important during childhood and puberty, but it doesn't play a major role in your development as an adult.

As an adult, DHT does not appear to be involved in mental functions, bone health, or the ability to produce muscle mass.

Instead, the main effects of DHT in adulthood include enlarging the prostate and, unfortunately, causing hair loss.

Lowering DHT and stopping hair loss

DHT is the hormone responsible for hair loss in men. So the only way to stop hair loss is to block DHT. Currently, the most effective way to block DHT is with Finasteride.

Finasteride

Finasteride is a drug that has been approved by the FDA to treat male pattern baldness. It works by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which is responsible for converting testosterone to DHT. By blocking this process, finasteride reduces the amount of DHT in the body.

Clinical studies show that a daily dose of 1 mg finasteride can reduce DHT levels by 70%. This reduction is sufficient for most men to slow down, stop or even reverse hair loss. A lower amount of DHT means that the hair follicles are no longer damaged, allowing hair to grow undisturbed again.

The use of finasteride is relatively easy, as it is available in pill form that should be taken once a day. This makes finasteride an effective and user-friendly option for men who want to combat hair loss. For more information about Finasteride and how it works exactly against hair loss, read the blog: 'Finasteride against hair loss'.

What are the side effects of a DHT blocker?

A small percentage of men who use DHT blockers such as finasteride experience side effects. These can range from a slight increase in testosterone levels to sexual side effects such as erectile dysfunction and decreased libido.

Possible side effects of finasteride include:

• Higher testosterone levels. Finasteride blocks the conversion of testosterone into DHT. This may contribute to a slight increase in total testosterone levels. In a study published in the journal Urology in 2003, researchers found that long-term use of finasteride was associated with a small increase in testosterone.
• Lower libido. Generally, finasteride has no positive or negative effect on libido. However, in a small number of men, finasteride can lead to decreased libido.
• Weak erections. Like decreased libido, this side effect occurs in a small number of men. For example, some men report fewer “morning erections” while taking finasteride, possibly due to lower levels of DHT.
  

While the aforementioned side effects may seem daunting, the reality is that the vast majority of men taking DHT blockers such as finasteride do not experience any serious side effects.

It's also important to note that, in the rare event that sexual side effects occur, they almost always stop as soon as you stop taking finasteride. It is very unusual for negative effects to persist if you do not actively use a DHT blocker. For a more comprehensive overview of the possible side effects and prevalence, please refer to our blog”What are the side effects of Finasteride?'.

The conclusion about DHT and hair loss

DHT plays an important role in male pattern baldness. It is the hormone that causes coves, a balding crown and thinning your hair. Very annoying, but true. This is also the reason that all other products, such as caffeine shampoo, oils, biotin or Viviscal, won't stop your baldness. Because these products don't block your DHT, and yes, your DHT, that's why you go bald.

If you find yourself going bald, lowering your DHT is the only way to slow down, stop, or reverse this process. Unfortunately, Finasteride has a small chance of side effects, but we believe you're better informed about choosing something that really works than spending endless amounts of money on products that don't really do anything.

If you're ready to take the step to start using Finasteride, you can start the online consultation for free below. If you are looking for more information about Finasteride, please read on our knowledgebase.

Resources

1. Kinter, K.J. & Anekar, A.A. (2022, March 9). Biochemistry, Dihydrotestosterone. StatPearls. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557634/
2. Hoover, E., Alhajj, M. & Flores, J. L. (2022, July 25). Physiology, Hair. StatPearls. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499948/
3. Ho, C.H., Sood, T. & Zito, P.M. (2022, October 16). Androgenetic Alopecia. StatPearls. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430924/
4. Could you have low testosterone? (2021, May 13). Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000722.htm
5. Zito, P.M., Bistas, K.G. & Syed, K. (2022, August 25). Finasteride. StatPearls. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513329/
6. Roerborn, C. G., et al. (2003, November). Effects of finasteride on serum testosterone and body mass index in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. 62 (5), 894-899. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14624915/
7. PROPECIA- finasteride tablet, film coated. (2021, June). Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/spl/data/3c8dff7e-41ab-46db-bacf-c41cc237f9d9/3c8dff7e-41ab-46db-bacf-c41cc237f9d9.xml
8. Sato, A. & Takeda, A. (2012, January). Evaluation of efficacy and safety of finasteride 1 mg in 3177 Japanese men with androgenetic alopecia. The Journal of Dermatology. 39 (1), 27-32. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21980923/
9. Mysore, V. (2012). Finasteride and sexual side effects. Indian Dermatology Online Journal. 3 (1), 62-65. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3481923/
10. 5-alpha reductase deficiency. (2017, April 1). Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/5-alpha-reductase-deficiency/

‍

It's not pleasant, but unfortunately it's the reality: you're starting to lose your hair and have come to this page looking for a way to buy finasteride. Fortunately, finasteride works well and can stop hair loss and even stimulate new hair growth within a few months. If you want to buy finasteride directly, click below to begin the online consultation. If you want more information about everything about buying finasteride safely, read on.

(consult button)

Finasteride, often sold under the brand name Propecia® or Proscar®, is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor used to treat male pattern baldness. Finasteride blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). And why would you want to block DHT? Well, DHT targets your hair follicles and is one of the main causes of baldness. Exactly how long it takes for someone to go bald is difficult to say because genetics plays a major role in this. In our blog 'Why do men go bald?', we will delve deeper into the role of DHT, genetic predisposition and male pattern baldness. If you want to know more about how fast you can expect results from Finasteride, read our blog: Finasteride timeline, what to expect in 12 months.

In this article, we'll cover how to buy Finasteride safely and reliably. For more information about Finasteride and how it can help with hair loss, read our blog: Finasteride against hair loss. If you are unsure about the side effects and safety of Finasteride, in the blog we have: what are the side effects of Finasteride? everything listed for you, including issues such as erectile dysfunction, ejaculation and libido problems. Our goal is to provide you with as complete information as possible so that you will soon be able to buy Finasteride in a well-considered and safe way. Because hair loss is annoying, but it shouldn't be at the expense of your health.

Do you need a prescription to buy Finasteride?

Finasteride is only available in the Netherlands and can be ordered via a prescription. This is because Finasteride is a registered medicine. That's why a doctor should check if Finasteride is a safe option for you.

Buying Finasteride without a prescription: good choice or not to do it?

Recently, we have seen a proliferation of web shops that sell Finasteride without a prescription. These parties buy the medication in countries where you do not need a prescription for Finasteride and then ship the medication to the Netherlands. It is difficult to say whether this is safe. This is because the medication can be counterfeited. Is it even responsible to buy Finasteride without a prescription without first checking if it's a safe option for you? We don't think so!

Buy Finasteride with a prescription

With us, you can get a prescription quickly and safely, without having to physically go to the doctor. Through our online consultation, our BIG-registered doctor can see if Finasteride is a safe option for you. If so, you can buy the Finasteride immediately and it will be delivered to your home within 5 business days by our authorized Dutch pharmacy. If you want to start an online consultation right away, click here: start online consultation. If you want more information about your other options, read on.

How can you get a prescription for Finasteride?

Because you cannot buy Finasteride without a prescription in the Netherlands, you must make an appointment physically (or online) with a healthcare provider. This process can sometimes be quite complicated in the Netherlands, but it does not have to be expensive. If you're starting to see the first signs of male baldness (such as coves or a balding crown) and want to buy Finasteride, there are a few options for getting a prescription:

Visit a doctor

If you don't have a problem with a personal physical appointment, visit your doctor. They can talk to you about your hair loss and, if safe, write a prescription for Finasteride. Please note that GPs are generally quite reluctant to prescribe Finasteride. This is because doctors in the Netherlands prefer not to prescribe medication for something that has purely to do with your appearance. As annoying as hair loss and male pattern baldness can be mentally, it's not seen as a health problem. The nice thing is that a visit to the doctor in the Netherlands is “free”.

Visit a dermatologist

A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in skin, hair and nails, including male pattern baldness. Dermatologists have a lot of experience with specific conditions of the hair and scalp, so if the situation does not look normal, a dermatologist may be a good choice. It is important to know that a visit to the dermatologist, €175, - costs and deducts your own risk.

Finasteride 1 mg is not covered by health insurance

Once you have received a prescription from your doctor or dermatologist and you are enthusiastic about how Finasteride works, you should request a repeat prescription every so often and then pick up your medication at the pharmacy. Unfortunately, Finasteride (1 mg) for hair loss is not covered by your health insurance.

An online consultation via 3CO

Through our online questionnaire, you can find out if you suffer from male pattern baldness. If safe, we will provide the prescription for Finasteride immediately. The consultation is free and then you can buy Finasteride immediately. We work with a Dutch approved pharmacy that delivers the Finasteride discreetly to your home within 5 working days. Because we work with a subscription, you will never have to miss another day of medication.

Prevent hair loss with 3CO

The online consultation via 3CO is a quick and safe way to buy Finasteride if you prefer not to make a personal appointment. We get it: you already have enough on your to-do list without having to worry about going to the doctor and then convincing him that you're really suffering from hair loss. Trust us, we were in the same boat.

The cost of Finasteride 1 mg for hair loss

Unfortunately, Finasteride (1 mg) for hair loss is not covered by your health insurance. The costs you pay for the pharmacy with a prescription range from 288 to 536 euros per year. The exact price depends on which brand you buy Finasteride. In addition, these costs do not include any additional costs for examination by the doctor or for a visit to the dermatologist.

At 3CO, we offer an annual subscription (365 pills) including a free online consultation for €360 per year. This subscription renews automatically, so you'll never be without Finasteride for a day and no need to request repeat prescriptions. Our doctor will automatically renew your prescription, provided that, of course, your medical situation does not change.

Buy Finasteride in a safe, reliable way

Buying Finasteride can be quite complicated and cumbersome through the current Dutch healthcare system. I, the founder of 3CO and user of Finasteride, experienced this myself.

Because I started suffering from male baldness at a young age and was really struggling with it, I started looking for treatment. Through many detours, I ended up with Finasteride. I went straight to the doctor and got a referral to the dermatologist. The dermatologist found me applying and told me that male pattern baldness is just part of it. I went home defeated.

It wasn't until a year later that I discovered an expensive hair clinic via the internet that, after a physical consultation, wanted to prescribe Finasteride 1 mg for me. I paid €250 for a 15-minute consultation where they confirmed to me that I was indeed going bald (thanks, captain obvious). I was then allowed to buy the medication from a pharmacy for €600 a year.

This is why I founded Adonis2 with my brother. To enable young men to purchase Finasteride in a safe and reliable manner at a reasonable price. If you are still unsure about our reliability or service, check here for our reviews on Trustpilot.

If you're ready to take the step to buy Finasteride, you can start the online consultation for free below. If you are looking for more information about Finasteride, please read on our knowledgebase.

Resources

1. McClellan, K. J., Markham, A. Finasteride. Drugs 57, 111—126 (1999). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-199957010-00014
2. McClellan, K. J., Markham, A. Finasteride. Drugs 57, 111—126 (1999). Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00003495-199957010-00014
3. https://www.apotheek.nl/medicijnen/finasteride
4. https://www.thuisarts.nl/wat-kost-bezoek-aan-huisarts
5. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/geneesmiddelen/vraag-en-antwoord/mag-een-arts-via-internet-medicijnen-voorschrijven#:~:text=Een%20arts%20mag%20alleen%20receptmedicijnen,u%20gebruikt%20en%20heeft%20gebruikt.

‍