The BBC has discovered that some online sites are prescribing a hair loss drug with potential side effects without consistent safety checks.

Side effects of finasteride can include suicidal thoughts and impotence, but some large brand companies will send the pill in a post without ever having to chat with the customer.

Kyle, 26, from Wakefield, regretted buying the pills online after filling in a 'tick box' form.

He said his life had been turned upside down by a decision made too quickly.

Kyle started taking Finasteride last spring after a partner recommended it to him.

He said he did some research beforehand, but buying it online was easy.

"I just typed it into Google and it brought up all these online pharmacies," Kyle said.

"It's everywhere. It's so accessible."

The prescriptions arrived at his doorstep within a week of ordering.

"I didn't have a consultation with the doctor. There were no Zoom meetings. I didn't have to send them any pictures or anything like that to make sure I actually had male pattern baldness.

"I started, and yeah - that was the biggest mistake of my life."

Since taking the medication, Kyle said he has had problems with his sexual, physical and mental health - problems he hasn't had and have continued since he stopped taking the medication.

"Life is just grey. It's like castrating me emotionally," Kyle said.

"It just took everything away from me - all my personality and everything. I stopped going out with my peers, stopped playing football and started having all these problems."

Finasteride is one of the most common pills for hair loss, taken by thousands of men in the UK. It is only available by private prescription.

It works by preventing testosterone from changing into another hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can prevent hair growth.

Kyle spent about six weeks but stopped after experiencing problems, including suicidal thoughts.

Late April 2024 - Weeks after Kyle was given a prescription, UK regulators take emergency action against finaxonide, says Package must contain special security alert card Warning: There is a small risk of serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts and sexual dysfunction.

After hooking up with other men like Kyle Your voice, your BBC newswe asked a male colleague who purchased finasteride from three leading online providers to see the checks involved now.

"hims" from online prescribers mentioned side effects.

Superdrug also offers the option to chat with a doctor - for an additional cost.

Only Boots Pharmacy requires photos of hair loss.

When some packages arrived, none contained new patient alert cards that addicts were asked to add.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said manufacturers have been given a year but it may take longer.

Boots, Hims and Superdrug said online Finasteride customers were asked to confirm they had read and understood the possible risks.

They say until the alert card is "rolled out" and placed in the packaging, users can read the long-term patient information already included with the drug about side effects.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society says online prescribing can be very useful for many patients, especially if they are too embarrassed to visit their doctor. But the check must be robust.

England RPS director James Davies told BBC News: "It's really important that these thorough checks are carried out, whether online or face-to-face.

"This means there has been a complete medical history and an opportunity to understand the medications that may be prescribed, their side effects, risks and benefits."

He said photos of hair loss were shared with prescribers and video calls were held to discuss any concerns.

British Society for Hair Restoration Surgery (BAHRS) Believes patients should not be able to receive medications simply by filling out an online form.

Greg Williams, a hair transplant surgeon and vice president at Bahrs, says that while Finsasteride is a great treatment for many people, the small chance of serious side effects must be explained and monitored closely.

"There will be some patients who may have risk factors that would make finasteride a risky prescription. I'm not saying it can't be prescribed, but patients need to be properly counseled."

Europe's drug regulator is conducting its own safety review of finasteride, May include ban.

Kyle took Finasteride with deep regret nearly a year since he first ordered the drug.

"It's just a little pill. You take it without really thinking about what it can do to you," he said.

"Every day I beat myself up and say 'you have a perfect life, you don't have to risk your hair'.

"It's all in vain...but when you're not safe, you do stupid things.

"Had I known what it could do, I never would have taken it."