19 Years Old, Questions About Finasteride

[lawrence1]

Hi guys. So due to thinning and a receding hairline, I've started finasteride at 1.25 mg/day, as my doctor wants me to cut the 5 mg tablet into quarters. I just had a few questions for anyone who is on finasteride or has taken it.

I know that a lot of people use 1 mg a day, so I'm kind of worried that I might be taking too much and will get worse side effects. Also, how long did it take for you guys to start noticing side effects? Is it actually common for finasteride to totally mess up erections/libido/etc.? I also have a concern about being 19 and taking it. My facial hair is still coming in very gradually and definitely has a long way to go, and I've heard that taking finasteride can like slow that down if you're still in puberty. Has anyone found this to be true? Finally, is shedding common on finasteride, or is that more of a rogaine thing? Thanks

 

[kj6723]

Welcome! So far my own finasteride journey has been nothing but extremely positive, the peace of mind it has brought me absolutely priceless

Although I personally take 1mg, many guys on here take the 1.25mg and do fine, with no or minimal sides. The difference in dosage seems to be negligible from what I can tell. One of the best pieces of advice I can give you is to avoid reading side effect threads, and thinking about it. Nocebo is a very real thing. Personally I do have one side effect of watery semen, but my erections and libido are exactly the same as pre finasteride. If there is a difference, it's too negligible for me to have a clue

Taking it at 19 is kind of a grey area. I started at 27, so I have no personal experience with this as my facial hair and body were completely developed when I began. Off the top of my head I'm not sure what kind of data exists to support it being detrimental or negligible in the development of such things. I'm sure others on here can chime in. The one certainty in this situation, the thing you can be sure of, without finasteride or a comparably potent anti androgen, if you have male pattern baldness, you will continue to lose hair. If your balding is aggressive, I can see a good case being made to justify it's use at your age....some years down the line, would you rather be bald, with good facial hair? Or have a full head of hair with mediocre facial hair? I think I know what I would choose, but at the end of the day you're a grown man who needs to make his own decision

As far a shedding phases go, I personally think they're over exaggerated on here due to people's paranoia. I've never been conscious of increased shedding phases on any hair loss treatment, not that that means it wasn't going on. Either way, I wouldn't worry about it. Even if you shed, it's for a better end result