Today, there are plenty of products aimed at hair loss treatment in the modern market. Some of them are clinically tested prescription only medicines such as Propecia (and its generic versions based on finasteride), some can be purchased over-the-counter while still producing significant effects (Regaine also known Rogaine, based on minoxidil) and some can be moderately effective in some cases, like caffeine shampoo. Some men also opt for the most expensive, time-consuming, yet also most durable option – hair transplant surgery and laser therapy.

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With all these options, anyone interested in getting a treatment for male pattern baldness that actually works will first need to sort out all this information, figuring out which treatments really work, and which are hoaxes. Even when we put aside all the questionable treatment, one can still face a number of choices in the local pharmacy. So, how to make the right choice?

An especially important factor for many men is the user reviews. And this is not without good reason – real people will tend to talk about their experiences with any given medicine in a straight-forward and open manner, without unnecessary medical terminology or dishonesty. On the other hand, especially when it comes to medicines like Propecia, (finasteride) no two men are the same and while something might work for one person, it might produce negligible effects for other. Always keep in mind that efficiency of some medicines is strongly, if not fundamentally linked to individual response to the treatment.

When trying out a new treatment, no reviews or online resources can be a substitution for consultations with a medical professional who will be able to take into account many different factors and make a decision on whether any given treatment is suitable for you personally.

Online Propecia reviews: How accurate and trustworthy are they?

It’s never easy to judge the efficiency of the medicine by online reviews only. The most common reason for this is the fact that people who had especially good or especially bad experiences will be far more strongly inclined to post an online review than those which experienced what we could call an average response to the medicine. As a result, one is far more likely to experience those reviews which either praise the medicine for outstanding and surprising effects or those which, on the contrary, focus on the negative aspects, such as pronounced side effects. In this way, all those people which experienced moderate improvements or little to no side effects will be “in the shadow” of much more extreme reviews.

In order to ensure that you’re reading the best information available online, be sure to also check out the website you are using as a source. What is the process for posting a review or comment? Is the site open access? Do the administrators review the posts and comments prior to their appearance online? Does the site check the user’s IP in order to prevent multiple posts from the same person? Does the website collaborate with a medical professional?

Clinical trials and official information

Naturally, clinical trials conducted in a controlled environment by certified medical experts are incomparably more trustworthy than any reviews – mostly because they are comprehensive and balanced when it comes to judging the performance of the treatment. In addition, clinical trials are not focused on one or a couple of individuals, but are based on a much larger sample size, giving a significantly more realistic assessment of efficacy and the prevalence of side effects than user reviews might.

The official patient information leaflet which is issued with every pack of the medicine is also a very reliable source. In additions to all the pros it shares with independent clinical trials, it is also updated on a regular basis in order to include any new findings. However, the downside of these sources is that sometimes they might be hard to read for a layperson due to statistical or medical terminology that is often used in presentation of the results.

Consultations with a doctor

While user reviews can provide you with subjective, albeit one-sided view on the experiences of people who used Propecia and clinical trials and official leaflets can provide you an objective and detailed assessment which is sometimes difficult to read, consultations with a doctor are something like a middle point, and should never be underestimated.

Propecia is a prescription only medicine which means that you will have to consult with a doctor anyways, so be sure to make the most out of that. The doctor will first assess your general health condition and decide whether you are suitable for Propecia treatment. Using this information, he will be able to provide you with the information on what you might expect during your treatment in terms of side effects and time that it will take before the effects become noticeable.

In this way, you will be able to get the most reliable information, but that which is focused on your specific case.