You answered your own question. The sides on finasteride were constant mental confusion and being out of it, effeminating effects (loss of body and facial hair), depression, low sex drive, decrease of muscle mass among many others. Yes I maintained my hair but at the expense of my health - so yes, I do consider zix a better cure in my case. That said, I have been on zix for 15 or so years, and was only using finasteride for 7.5 years. So it's impossible for me to say, even if I didnt have sides I kept using it, that my hair would be in a better place.