Compare Supplements

Side-by-side comparison of 2 supplements

Fin5.5

Finasteride

Limited safety

Py5.5

Pygeum

High safety

Evidence

Mostly mechanism / observational

Evidence Score5.5/10

Studies: 8

Meta-analyses: 2

Likely helps

Evidence Score5.5/10

Studies: 23

Meta-analyses: 1

Dosage & timing

Dosage:

1 mg once daily for male pattern hair loss (Propecia); 5 mg once daily for benign prostatic hyperplasia (Proscar). A prescription drug — use under a clinician.

Best Time:

Any time

Can take on empty stomach

Form:

Oral tablet (1 mg for hair, 5 mg for BPH)

Dosage:

150mg

Best Time:

Any time · with food (preferred)

Can take on empty stomach

Form:

Standardized extract (13-14% sterols)

What you'll notice

💇 Hair retention & regrowthpositive

3-12 months to visible effect

🚽 BPH symptom & progression reliefpositive

Months to years

⚠️ Sexual side effectsnegative

Throughout use; sometimes persistent

💧 Improved Urinary Flowpositive

6-8 weeks

🌙 Reduced Nighttime Urinationpositive

6-8 weeks

👍 Prostate Comfortpositive

8-12 weeks

Safety

Limited safety

Contraindications:

Women who are or may become pregnant (handling crushed/broken tablets risks feminization of a male fetus)
Children / adolescents
Known hypersensitivity to finasteride

Drug Interactions:

PSA testing / prostate cancer screening
Testosterone / anabolic androgens

Side Effects:

Decreased libido / erectile dysfunction / ejaculatory problemsPersistent sexual dysfunction (post-finasteride syndrome)Depression / anxiety / suicidality signal

High safety

Contraindications: