Stress can do many things to the human hair follicle although one must always keep in mind that usually it has no consequences. However, stress can cause increased daily hair shedding - a phenomenon called 'telogen effluvium.' Propecia (finasteride) does not affect this from of hair loss because telogen effluvium from stress is not hormonally mediated (DHT mediated) for most people. However, stress can accelerate androgenic alopecia if it is prolonged high intensity stress. In this situation, finasteride might help slow the androgenetic alopecia. For most people though, stress related hair loss is not affected by finasteride use, especially if short term.