Proscar (Finasteride) for PCOS

Overview
Proscar is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men. Proscar is also referred to by its drug name, Finasteride. In cases of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Proscar may be prescribed to treat both alopecia (hair loss from the head) and hirsutism (excess hair growth elsewhere on the body). Since Proscar is not FDA-approved to treat PCOS, this usage may be considered “off-label.”

Proscar is an androgen inhibitor. Proscar is believed to work by inhibiting the effects of androgenic hormones that contribute to alopecia and hirsutism.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Proscar is taken once a day.

Proscar comes in tablet form.

Side effects
In women, Proscar may cause common side effects including headaches, nausea, weight gain, breast tenderness, and decreased libido.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Proscar include liver problems and birth defects.

For more details about this treatment, visit:
Proscar prescribing information (PDF) – Merck
https://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/...

A Patient’s Guide: Management of Hair Loss in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – ObGyn.net
http://www.obgyn.net/infertility/patient%E2%80%...

Treatment options for polycystic ovary syndrome – International Journal of Women’s Health
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC303...