Saw Palmetto vs Finasteride: Everything You Need to Know

Saw palmetto and finasteride are both used for a lot of the same things, with the biggest one being treating hair loss. However, saw palmetto is more of a natural approach to hair loss, whereas finasteride is more of a pharmaceutical option.

Still, you may be curious about which option is right for you, and you may be wondering if you need something as potent as finasteride or something with fewer side effects, like saw palmetto.

The good news is that we’re here to help. Read on to learn more about saw palmetto vs finasteride in this article.

What Is Saw Palmetto?

Saw palmetto is a small species of palm plant that barely reaches six feet in height. While this little palm tree might not be tall, it makes for a great decoration, and it’s even a popular option for holistic healing.

In fact, the plant is known to help with hair loss by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase. This prevents testosterone from becoming dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is one of the biggest contributors to male pattern baldness.

What Is Finasteride?

Finasteride is a prescription medication. It’s prescribed to treat hair loss and some other conditions, and it works by preventing the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Finasteride accomplishes this by inhibiting the action of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which is what begins this conversion.

The drug is only used to treat male hair loss conditions, and when prescribed for this reason, it’s usually at about one milligram per day. It’s also important to note that there are some side effects you’ll need to discuss with your doctor if you plan on going this route.

Saw Palmetto vs Finasteride for Hair Loss

When it comes to hair loss, saw palmetto and finasteride seek to accomplish the same thing: blocking the action of the  5-alpha reductase enzyme. That said, both options accomplish this differently and with a different level of success and side effects. Learn more about saw palmetto vs finasteride for hair loss below.

Saw Palmetto vs Finasteride: How They Work

Saw palmetto and finasteride work in different ways but accomplish the same task. To use saw palmetto for hair loss, you usually need to have a reliable saw palmetto essential oil or dietary supplement. From there, you can take it daily, and it’s easy to find saw palmetto online or even at your local pharmacy.

On the other hand, for finasteride, you’ll need to take medication. This is prescribed by a doctor, so it’s not something you’ll always have access to.

Saw Palmetto vs Finasteride Effectiveness

When it comes to the effectiveness of saw palmetto vs finasteride, finasteride tends to come out on top. This is because it’s a pharmaceutical drug that’s been designed and tested to treat hair loss. For this reason, if you use finasteride as it’s prescribed, you may experience better results than taking a saw palmetto supplement.

That said, some studies suggest that saw palmetto is effective. However, it depends on the individual and their level of hair loss. If you don’t like the idea of a pharmaceutical that has side effects, you may still be better off starting with saw palmetto.

Saw Palmetto vs Finasteride Side Effects

The benefit of saw palmetto not being a pharmaceutical medication is the fact that it has fewer side effects than finasteride. While you may experience some slight side effects or allergic reactions, they’re not as significant as finasteride. For example, you won’t have to worry as much about the risk of prostate cancer compared to taking finasteride, which is known to increase cancer risks.

Finasteride also has some other side effects. Some people who take the drug may struggle with erectile dysfunction, or they may notice a decrease in their sex drive.

Saw Palmetto vs Finasteride: Our Final Thoughts

Saw palmetto and finasteride are both effective options for managing hair loss. That said, you’ll find that saw palmetto is easier to find and safer to use because there are fewer side effects. For these reasons, it’s not a bad idea to start with saw palmetto to see how it works for your situation. Then, if you don’t like the results, you can move on to finasteride to see if it works better for you.

At the end of the day, whether or not you use saw palmetto or finasteride is a conversation you should have between you and your doctor. Always consult with a medical professional before trying anything for hair loss or your health in general.