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The Journal.

A Quick Fix for Hair Loss Is Making Some Men Sick

Apr 14, 2025
Rolfe Winkler, a Wall Street Journal reporter, investigates the hidden dangers of hair loss treatments offered by telehealth companies. He highlights the alarming trend of young men experiencing severe side effects from easy-to-access medications like finasteride. Winkler discusses the lack of transparency in advertising and the emotional toll on users, who often aren't aware of the risks. The conversation reveals the clash between convenience and safety, urging for more responsible practices in the telehealth industry.
21:46

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Telehealth companies provide rapid access to hair loss medications like finasteride, but young men often overlook serious health risks involved.
  • The aggressive marketing strategies used by telehealth firms minimize the importance of side effects, leading to uninformed and potentially harmful consumer decisions.

Deep dives

Rapid Access to Hair Loss Medications

Telehealth companies enable quick access to hair loss medications, such as finasteride, through convenient online platforms. The process is streamlined, with approvals often given within a minute, as was the case for a user who signed up while discussing the topic on air. This rapid approval raises concerns, as many young men jump into taking these medications without fully understanding the associated risks. Users are often enticed by aggressive advertising tactics and the ease of obtaining medication without face-to-face consultations with healthcare professionals.

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