Critical questions about taking finastriside

[wellwellwell]

Hi there, I'm in the process of weighing the pros and cons of taking this drug... and a few important questions crossed my mind:

1) My wife and I have future plans, in the next year or 2, to have children... I'm reading a lot about birth-defects, specifically if the female is taking or coming into contact with finasteride... what are the risks (to my semen) if I'm taking this causing problems with the fertility process?

2) I was actually on finasteride about 6 years ago and stopped for 2 reasons - 1) pain in testicles and 2) slight gyno. What is the reason for the pain in testicles? I mean to report as just that seems very immature since there is clearly something that is going on that shouldn't be?

3) If you start taking finasteride you have to take it for the rest of your life or you will lose every bit of hair that you saved while on it? I understand this to be the case but please confirm.

4) What are are the expected financial costs for taking finasteride & minoxidil, i.e. yearly?

Thanks!!

 

[Night]

1. There have been reports of users having babies while on finasteride.

2. If you get side effects, just stop. You either don't try it and lose hair or try it and quit due to sides.

3. Yes.

4. I got about 300 dosages of generic finasteride for 70 dollars. Rogaine generic is like 30 for a 6 month supply.

 

[Coolhandjames]

I have read stories about side effects continuing AFTER stopping use.

Can anyone shed some light on this ?

 

[Night]

There are a 'few people' claiming that sides didn't go away after use. In all honesty, you use a drug for years and years, then 8 years down the line you can get a erection. You stop the pills and it continues, some will argue that its old age and it happened naturally. But how can you know? I doubt you will get life long sides, especially only trying it 6 months.

 

[Coolhandjames]

There are a 'few people' claiming that sides didn't go away after use. In all honesty, you use a drug for years and years, then 8 years down the line you can get a erection. You stop the pills and it continues, some will argue that its old age and it happened naturally. But how can you know? I doubt you will get life long sides, especially only trying it 6 months.

Or maybe it's all in the head ?

- - - Updated - - -

I am going to try low doses and see what happens.

What am I looking at possibly low ejaculation volume and softer erections ?.... what are the chances of this happening ?

Is it guaranteed you will get sides ?

 

[wellwellwell]

Well like I said, I've been off it for 6 years... I haven't had any problems with libido or testicle pain at all since then, nothing else abnormal except I still have the slight gyno but I feel like if I actually got into a good workout routine it would go away too.

- - - Updated - - -

There have been reports of users having babies while on finasteride.

This is not encouraging at all. Infact if there is 0.1%+ increase chance of complications then I will not risk it, because it's much more important to think about the life you're bringing into this world then you're own vanity.

 

[Night]

From what I read, sprem is normal. If you have concerns you can try getting off of the drug for a few weeks then do the deed. I don't recall the after life of finasteride is.

 

[wellwellwell]

Nah, won't do, unfortunately! I'm willing to risk "sides" to myself but not in fertility / offspring. Who knows how long finasteride stays in your system... I've heard could be 6+ months...

It's sad, I may be very thinning by the time I have two kids. =(

 

[Night]

Well, if I where you I would talk to a doctor about the kid thing. Might want to read this too.

http://www.baldingblog.com/2005/10/17/taking-propecia-while-trying-to-have-a-baby/

 

[wellwellwell]

Well, if I where you I would talk to a doctor about the kid thing. Might want to read this too.

I'm confused about that #1 and #3 seem like the same thing:

"

stop it through the entire period from conception to the delivery of the baby""stop the drug completely during the entire pregnancy"

Anyway... If you stop for a few months, seems there's no point in starting to begin with since you're going to lose everything you gained anyway?​

 

[Night]

The first one is to stop treatment before the deed. It can take up to six months before you notice your hair getting thinner.

 

[wellwellwell]

Unfortunately not worth it... IMO.

Who are you anyway? A Merck & Co employee?

 

[Night]

No. I wish. Just did my research and gave you my opinion. I know hair loss sucks and in the end you asked and I tried to help. It is ultimately up to you in the end. If I had to have a kid I would probably stop taking it too.

 

[wellwellwell]

Thanks, yeah, you're advice is fine... I just can't take it during this time, it seems selfish and risky.