Viagra, known generically as sildenafil, is a widely recognized medication for treating erectile dysfunction (ED). Since its approval in the late 1990s, it has helped millions of men regain confidence and intimacy in their relationships. Designed to improve blood flow to the penis, Viagra can enhance a man's ability to achieve and maintain an erection when sexually aroused. This article explores how Viagra works, who it’s for, and what to expect when using it. Whether you’re considering it for the first time or simply curious about its effects, understanding the benefits, potential side effects, and precautions can help you make informed decisions about this well-known treatment.

Finasteride (also known by the brand name Propecia) is a medication used to treat hair loss in men. It is also used to manage urinary symptoms in men with an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia. Finasteride is used to manage the most common type of hair loss, often associated with ageing, called male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia. It is commonly used alongside minoxidil liquid or foam, another hair loss medication. Unlike minoxidil, which can only facilitate hair regrowth, finasteride can prevent hair loss as well. Finasteride is considered most effective on the crown area of the scalp, although studies have shown it can benefit all areas of the scalp affected by male pattern baldness. Finasteride is mainly available as tablets to be taken once a day. The best results are seen when the medication is taken every day, and it can take around six to nine months before you see the full effects. Many people that take finasteride experience a shedding phase early on in their treatment (usually in the first few months). This phase causes you to lose more hair than normal as older damaged hairs are lost. These are then replaced by newer and stronger hairs. Shedding is nothing to worry about, and it shows the medication is working. Although finasteride can cause hair regrowth, it is considered to be more of a preventative medication for further hair loss. Therefore, it is best to begin finasteride treatment when you first start to notice signs of male pattern baldness. If you have already lost most of your hair, finasteride is unlikely to be useful as it is not usually associated with massive amounts of hair regrowth. Also, any regrowth that you gain is not permanent; if you stop taking finasteride, this hair will fall out again.