FOUR THINGS THE LABELS WON'T TELL YOU
What the published data actually says.
1. The earlier you start, the less you ever lose.
Finasteride works upstream of the loss. It lowers DHT, the hormone that miniaturizes the follicle. Starting at the first sign of recession or thinning is statistically the highest-leverage decision a man can make about his hair. Waiting until the front is gone is waiting to play defense.
2. The 99.4% number is real, and it's a 5-year number.
In the published 5-year follow-up study, 99.4% of men taking 1mg finasteride daily either kept their hair or grew it. The placebo arm: nearly all continued to lose. Few drugs in adult medicine have this kind of separation from placebo.
3. Compounded finasteride is the same molecule as Propecia.
Same active ingredient. Same FDA pathway. Same mechanism. The only difference is the supply chain. Compounded by state-licensed pharmacies based on a prescription from a licensed practitioner, shipped directly. The price difference is meaningful. The molecule is identical.
4. Side effects are real, and reversible.
A small percentage of men experience side effects (libido, mood, semen volume). Most resolve when the dose is reduced or paused. A licensed Bionomy practitioner reviews your medical history before prescribing, and you can pause or stop anytime in chat. No subscription, no penalty.