25 years old, considering propecia---objective feedback please

[slender13]

sportsfan12, have you started finasteride yet? I too am about to hop on finasteride. Been terrified of permanent sides, othetwise would have been on it 5 years ago. I'll be starting on 0.25mg to try and minimise the chance of sides. Hair loss is severely affecting my quality of life so I have decided to take the chance. It's hard to know what to believe. A lot of guys say the permanent sides myth and then you get the guys telling you to stay away from it.

 

[sportsfan12]

sportsfan12, have you started finasteride yet? I too am about to hop on finasteride. Been terrified of permanent sides, othetwise would have been on it 5 years ago. I'll be starting on 0.25mg to try and minimise the chance of sides. Hair loss is severely affecting my quality of life so I have decided to take the chance. It's hard to know what to believe. A lot of guys say the permanent sides myth and then you get the guys telling you to stay away from it.

My derm has been on it for 10 years- used to cut up proscar. He reiterated how the placebo group results were similar to the finasteride group in the studies, reiterated that you can stop using the med at any time if you feel sides, and kept saying it doesn't make since physiologically that your body wouldn't revert to its baseline/normal state after discontinuing use.

I've done hours and hours of research and seen multiple derms- if I don't at least try it I will hate myself when I'm completely bald. Took my first pill yesterday and I feel so much better knowing I'm doing something to help my hair. I will keep you posted throughout the weeks to come- it's a personal decision but I'm flat out depressed every morning I wake up and have less hair especially with how young I am.

- - - Updated - - -

He took me through the mechanism of DHT and its role in the body (I'm in medical sales so it was a good convo to have)- nutshell explanation we don't need DHT after puberty it causes acne and hair loss. Both derms I saw have been practicing for very reputable hospital networks for 30 years and prescribing finasteride with no patients reporting serious side affects- that paired with me looking in a mirror on the way out sold me on it. I'm doing something to stop this hair loss

 

[WonderDrug]

Good on you Sports Fan.
I had a similar period of real uncertainty before I started. I'm in my 4th week now and have noticed I find it slightly harder to get aroused, but not enough that it's any kind of issue, and am aware even that may be wholly or partly psychological.
I'm not losing any hair as far as I can tell, although I think my loss had stopped before I started finasteride anyway.
Mine got really bad really fast (didn't even notice any loss or thinning until last summer) so hoping I can get most of it back.

 

[CliffLee]

Well done sportsfan, I think you have made the right decision - you are properly informed and consulted the experts. Now just hope that the finasteride helps you but it will take time, typically at least a year. Let us know how you get on and try not to think about it, just take the pill and get on with your life as normal.

Are you also taking minoxidil etc? I would also consider using a topical such as minoxidil. Even once a day would be beneficial.

 

[sportsfan12]

Well done sportsfan, I think you have made the right decision - you are properly informed and consulted the experts. Now just hope that the finasteride helps you but it will take time, typically at least a year. Let us know how you get on and try not to think about it, just take the pill and get on with your life as normal.

Are you also taking minoxidil etc? I would also consider using a topical such as minoxidil. Even once a day would be beneficial.

I've been on minoxidil since I first noticed thinning- however I'm pretty sure I reached its max effectiveness. I'm going to continue to use it and I hope it becomes effective again with the finasteride now. I'm just so mad I didn't start a year or 2 ago I really hope I can get my hair back to where it was a year ago...

I'm fine with even getting a little hair transplant work on my hairline if I had to- but then again what happens if I have to get off finasteride to conceive a kid or if finasteride starts losing effectiveness over years and I have transplanted hair still there. I Really hope I can get some natural hairline back in addition to crown thickening

 

[IrishFella]

I've been on minoxidil since I first noticed thinning- however I'm pretty sure I reached its max effectiveness. I'm going to continue to use it and I hope it becomes effective again with the finasteride now. I'm just so mad I didn't start a year or 2 ago I really hope I can get my hair back to where it was a year ago...

I'm fine with even getting a little hair transplant work on my hairline if I had to- but then again what happens if I have to get off finasteride to conceive a kid or if finasteride starts losing effectiveness over years and I have transplanted hair still there. I Really hope I can get some natural hairline back in addition to crown thickening

For what it's worth, my only problem was my hairline and finasteride + nizoral (which some people think is useless, I certainly don't and would recommend it to anyone looking to fight the good fight!) most definitely filled it in. The scrawny little hairs that were wilting away are now long and thick. Just don't expect finasteride alone to get you regrowth where there is no hair anymore.

Good luck!

 

[sportsfan12]

For what it's worth, my only problem was my hairline and finasteride + nizoral (which some people think is useless, I certainly don't and would recommend it to anyone looking to fight the good fight!) most definitely filled it in. The scrawny little hairs that were wilting away are now long and thick. Just don't expect finasteride alone to get you regrowth where there is no hair anymore.

Good luck!

Looks like you started on .5mg finasteride? I'm wondering if I should too as gyno is my biggest concern- I think the majority of the other sides are mental. Not dismissing sides that people have but I believe placebo places a big part. I took 1 mg yesterday and today as well- do you think I should try .5 for a week or so to start?

 

[Swoop]

Looks like you started on .5mg finasteride? I'm wondering if I should too as gyno is my biggest concern- I think the majority of the other sides are mental. Not dismissing sides that people have but I believe placebo places a big part. I took 1 mg yesterday and today as well- do you think I should try .5 for a week or so to start?

Just pop 1mg EOD. And stop over thinking man.

 

[sportsfan12]

Just pop 1mg EOD. And stop over thinking man.

End of day or every other day lol

 

[Swoop]

End of day or every other day lol

Every other day ;

Finasteride undergoes extensive hepatic metabolism to essentially inactive metabolites, which are eliminated through the bile and urine. The terminal elimination half-life (t1/2z) is 4.7 to 7.1 hours; but despite this, slow accumulation occurs with multiple doses. Values of t1/2z are higher in elderly men, but no dosage adjustments are necessary. Likewise, no dosage adjustments are necessary for patients with renal dysfunction, since the metabolites which accumulate are relatively inactive and well tolerated, and because greater faecal excretion of the metabolites occurs in these patients. The effect of hepatic dysfunction on the metabolism of finasteride is unknown. Therapeutic doses of finasteride produce a rapid and pronounced effect in reducing both plasma and prostate tissue levels of DHT. Doses below 0.5 mg/day do not produce much suppression of DHT levels, and doses above 5 mg/day have little additional benefit. A single dose of finasteride suppresses serum DHT levels for up to 4 days, longer than would be expected from the serum terminal elimination half-life (t1/2z) of the drug: this is probably due to the high affinity that finasteride has for the 5 alpha-reductase enzyme.

 

[CliffLee]

I think you should take 1mg once per day, though fine to start on 0.5mg. That smaller dosage how been found to be almost as effective.

Also read a study (I could try and search for it - it has been mentioned on these forums) that gyno on finasteride is extremely unlikely, as in virtually negligible. It's more common for dutasteride users (although still highly unlikely).

 

[sportsfan12]

I think you should take 1mg once per day, though fine to start on 0.5mg. That smaller dosage how been found to be almost as effective.

Also read a study (I could try and search for it - it has been mentioned on these forums) that gyno on finasteride is extremely unlikely, as in virtually negligible. It's more common for dutasteride users (although still highly unlikely).

Doctor said start 1 mg/day I just wondered if ramping up the dose actually helped minimize incidence of sides or if it's all just placebo when people say that. I have a really big chest/pecs in general and I work out so a lot so I didn't know if I was more prone to it (even though it's a very rare occurrence). I've been doing more cardio and eating healthier just to be extra safe

 

[on_a_plain]

i am 27 years old. if i were you i would forget taking an ANDROGEN inhibitor
because there is a lot of things in the in the brain (neurosteroids ) that drug inhibits (not only 5ar, 5br are inhibiting so progresterone estrogen and thyroid function gets f*** up)and keep that unbalanced and turn you a zombie, it will cause you a estrogen dominance even after you stop taking that drug, so it is very dangerous to take this drug for a MAN. if manliness is number one thing for you.(libido,sleep,self confidence, fluent speaking,memory functions, tinnitus, bone pain, eye floaters) (yes,androgen receptors is everywhere))

if you really want to try that drug for hairloss, my idea is go and live as you want, have sex with girls, drink like an animal, listen music, play games, test your memory, laugh for the last time because you will NOT feel as same as you FEEL after years even after your cessation
once finasteride completely removes from your body it will left your enzymes gnetically changed /make your body insensitive to androgens. so you will become a man looking thing but not fully man feeling.

 

[sportsfan12]

i am 27 years old. if i were you i would forget taking an ANDROGEN inhibitor
because there is a lot of things in the in the brain (neurosteroids ) that drug inhibits (not only 5ar, 5br are inhibiting so progresterone estrogen and thyroid function gets f*** up)and keep that unbalanced and turn you a zombie, it will cause you a estrogen dominance even after you stop taking that drug, so it is very dangerous to take this drug for a MAN. if manliness is number one thing for you.(libido,sleep,self confidence, fluent speaking,memory functions, tinnitus, bone pain, eye floaters) (yes,androgen receptors is everywhere))

if you really want to try that drug for hairloss, my idea is go and live as you want, have sex with girls, drink like an animal, listen music, play games, test your memory, laugh for the last time because you will NOT feel as same as you FEEL after years even after your cessation
once finasteride completely removes from your body it will left your enzymes gnetically changed /make your body insensitive to androgens. so you will become a man looking thing but not fully man feeling.

I thoroughly researched the issue and consulted with many tenured docs (1 who has taken it himself for over 10 years). 4 days in and feeling great knowing I'm doing what I can to help my hair- if I experience any serious sides then I'll most likely discontinue use. I think people forget that there are hundreds of thousands of men (more like millions my derm said) on this drug that experience no sides

 

[on_a_plain]

the problem that your majority can not understand is, finasteride genetically make your androgen receptors insensitive to androgens/DHT in the brain sites and penis and all of your body WHEN YOU QUIT the drug after 2-3 week. excess levels of testosterone because of finasteride usage, will convert to dht so dht levels goes up to the moon but your body unable to identify androgens as is, so you will crash hard, estrogen and progesterone enzyme patways gets mutated and filled with pure chicken estrogen and then become estrogen dominant shemales. this is it. very easy to understand


this is why you dont feel sides now

these hundreds of thousands of men thing is another motivational for you, this is too bad idea, there are thousand of men use these drug and became transgender ((if yopu search sisi sites you will see what drug Doctor s prescribed the male to females and you can get shocked, its name is finasteride)), and live their live NORMALLY

 

[sportsfan12]

the problem that your majority can not understand is, finasteride genetically make your androgen receptors insensitive to androgens/DHT in the brain sites and penis and all of your body WHEN YOU QUIT the drug after 2-3 week. excess levels of testosterone because of finasteride usage, will convert to dht so dht levels goes up to the moon but your body unable to identify androgens as is, so you will crash hard, estrogen and progesterone patways gets mutated and filled with pure chicken estrogen and then become estrogen dominant shemale. this is it. very easy to understand


this is why you dont feel sides now

I'm 24 and in a field where my image is very crucial to my success- going bald at this age would send me Into a complete depression and my work life would suffer heavily. This is the best option for me, to at least try it out.

 

[on_a_plain]

it is risky if you are an alpha male that really you feel you CAN do something without hair with girls,
unless you have nothing to lose.

while using Propecia there is no problem
you will see the pysocolocigal thing when you consider stopping that manliness-poison-transexxual-drug
hen you really feel the penile shrinkage, lost penile sensivity etc etc, after ~1.5 month
wake up with fatigue and probably you dont blame finasteride for all
you will lost your feelings, unable to have sex etc.

so my advice to you is go have sex with several girls before starting propecia, get really drunk because you will never get that feeling again after propecia, listen the sound of silence in a quiet room because you will get a neurotransmittal brain damage and get a Tinnitus (constant dingling ), also you will lost your memory, cognition function, oilness in skin that saves your skin from aging fast, look at your beard last time how fast it grows, facial bloating will occur because of impaired cortisol balance, estrogen dominant fat will occur in your waistline and hips, your chin bone will be circle rather than square because of low dht, take a look at clear sky if you see floaters in your vision(because you will get after Propecia.-its like clomid), be sure your eyes not dry... flat feeling or depressed feeling, thyroid problems, adrenal fatigue, adrenal pain, bone pain... the list is very huge... because androgenic properties everywhere. you are bloking your manly thinking and fill your neurotransmitters with estrogen, unbalance them with a single pill. this is so easy but there will be no treatment or turn back. this is your life

again if you can not trust yourself without hair, you suspect from low testosterone, try increasing your testosterone rather than blocking it because dht itself gives you self esteem, courage, engage relationships and MANLINESS. not hairy scalp.

if you consider stopping drug now PLEASE DONT TAKE IT. SAVE YOUR LIFE. even only one pill can kill your 6-10 years to normalize again to %50 -%60 and lose your health. forget the idea that you will get back 100/100 its scam

 

[CliffLee]

this is it. very easy to understand

No it isn't, you're not making a lot of sense. I appreciate the input but please could you back it up with links so we can check your sources? Otherwise it's simply more unsubstantiated nonsense from someone who may or may not be 'trolling'.

 

[on_a_plain]

discontinuation of finasteride, total testosterone (which is boosted by finasteride. intake - you have high libido - you feel good etc. when on finasteride. because of "LH secration" to compansate decreasing DHT) will be hammered down and that makes your adrenals & thyroid & neurosteroids gets collapsed in 2-3 week because of increasing conversion of T into E, also this Estrogen will impair thyroid not to function good ("ultra high estrogen levels decrease throxine to bound to cells", you can google.), and stress the adrenals(you can google "high estrogen lower progesterone in adrenals = adrenal fatigue" ) by decreasing progesterone, then you will feel like a zombie, fatigue etc., it will leave you with estrogen dominant.



NOW--Your Total Testosterone is boosted to x2 more than you have prefinasteride when using finasteride because increased LH secration body trying to compansate "blocked DHT", but your DHT, which controls testosterone->estradiol conversion is shutted down. So you have high T and High E together.

AFTER cessation there is no finasteride blocking 5ar, so you feel a boost in DHT for an instance, shedding etc. additionally your ultra high testosterone from finasteride usage goes into(aromatese) ultra high levels of estradiol(estrogen) MUCH MORE THAN DHT because the impaired pathways, you will ended up with low testosterone(because there is no finasteride is increasing LH secration) and very high systemic and neurologic estrogen. and this is a crash(you can read high estrogen or estrogen dominance in men to google in that period.)



google these terms : high estrogen sytmptoms, hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue. because three of them will be your enemy after this drug/cessetion.

you have to manage adrenal,thyroid and estrogen balance for ever, trying to flush out excess estrogens in your body and central nervous system fluids
if it fits for you that no problem

i hope you understand the 5ar inhibiting process, and its afterparty.
br

 

[abcdefg]

According to predictions in 5 years there will be plenty of other options or cured right? Right now is a pretty bad time to be balding because we are in that awkward age where there are two 20 year old treatments while we wait for something better in a few years