Concerns about Finasteride

[rtw556]

Hey guys, how are you?

So I want to start taking finasteride, but I have a couple of concerns about it. I'm 19 years old by the way. Should I be worried about these things:

- All the side effects. I've heard about loss of sex drive, but also things like penises shrinking, testicle pain etc. I've read a lot of horror stories. I even read about someone who, for the rest of his life, had to take hormonal pills every day after using finasteride. Should I be worried?

- My doctor says it'll start working after about 9 months. My hair is going away very quickly atm, and I'm scared by the time it starts working it'll be too late. Is it even worth it?

Thank you!

 

[KO21]

Hey guys, how are you?

So I want to start taking finasteride, but I have a couple of concerns about it. I'm 19 years old by the way. Should I be worried about these things:

- All the side effects. I've heard about loss of sex drive, but also things like penises shrinking, testicle pain etc. I've read a lot of horror stories. I even read about someone who, for the rest of his life, had to take hormonal pills every day after using finasteride. Should I be worried?

- My doctor says it'll start working after about 9 months. My hair is going away very quickly atm, and I'm scared by the time it starts working it'll be too late. Is it even worth it?

Thank you!

I thought it started blocking DHT right away but usually people notice a difference in maintenance or regrowth within a year.

I'm two months in. Had bad male pattern baldness itch and watery semen the first month. My hairline is getting destroyed. And I have low Sex drive.

Gotta make a decision sometimes
I guess. I'm sticking it out for sure

 

[Agustin Araujo]

My doctor didn't prescribe me finasteride because of the potential side effects. I started aggresively diffusing at 19. I'm 20 now. Everything is under control with minoxidil. So far so good.

You'll need to get on Finasteride to keep your hair from thinning for the long-term. Minoxidil will buy a little bit of time but DHT will continue destroying the hair follicles if the androgen isn't inhibited. Getting side effects on Finasteride is unlikely, approximately a 2% chance of happening, and if you do get them, you can discontinue the treatment and they'll subside. I take Dutasteride which is practically a stronger type of Finasteride and have been fine with no negative side effects. The point is, it won't hurt to give it a shot. All the 'horror stories' online are unreliable and having nothing but anecdotal evidence, I read about those before I started using a DHT inhibitor and still started the treatment because the claims were just not convincing.

 

[myhairbegone]

There are horror stories out there for every drug.

I talked to my GP, a dermatologist, and a neurologist; all assured me it was safe and they have no problem telling people to take it.

At the end of the day it is a risk as some do get unwanted side effects. Up to you to determine if your hair is worth taking the risk