In A Bit Of A Dilemma Regarding Treatments (finasteride)

[fixthis]

I've been on finasteride for over 8 months and no improvement. Recently I've had exams so I'm taking a month break, I'm already just over 2 weeks in. All of this has got me thinking whether I should quit finasteride for good I've not noticed any improvement and I've had side effects (mainly weak erections and water semen)which haven';t gone away, the alter has improved a bit while I've been off but the weak erections haven't changed.

I'm NW3 and 22 right now which is very depressing but it feels like there's no way out since finasteride has crippled even though I gave it a go. The only other thing I use is rogaine, demrarolling and I've been trying RU for the past month or so and seeing how it goes. Ideally I just want to maintain my hair till better treatments come out but my hairloss has become more aggressive this past year. It's like no matter what I do I'm fucked either way whether I'm on treatments or not both of which are equally depressing. The only other thing is that I don't want to develop permanent side effects the longer I'm on finasteride. I just RU can help since it's supposed to be an anti androgen

 

[AnxiousAndy]

Can you upload pics of your hair? We judge our own hair from a warped perspective.. I don't think you will be NW3, probably NW2. Also, if finasteride is at least maintaining your hair then that means its working. Regrowth isn't to be expected.

 

[fixthis]

Can you upload pics of your hair? We judge our own hair from a warped perspective.. I don't think you will be NW3, probably NW2. Also, if finasteride is at least maintaining your hair then that means its working. Regrowth isn't to be expected.

I never feel comfortable posting any sort of pics on the internet but I'm between NW2.5-3. The thing is at the start I was hoping for regrowth but I've not even been maintaining if anything my hair loss has speed for the last year. I'd be lucky if I can slow it down, ideally I just want to maintain until something better comes out. I guess that's why I'm trying RU for the time being.

 

[reyl]

Can you upload pics of your hair? We judge our own hair from a warped perspective.. I don't think you will be NW3, probably NW2. Also, if finasteride is at least maintaining your hair then that means its working. Regrowth isn't to be expected.

This is just false. The vast majority of people in finasteride studies experienced regrowth, something like 80%. That means that some people won't be good responders to the med, but most will.

 

[Retinoid]

If there has been no change in your hair then that means Finasteride is most likely working. I agree that it would be nice to see pics beforehand and afterward, but it is your choice.

Where are you mostly balding (temples or crown?) Crown is easier to regrow. I am a big proponent of scalp massage as I have seen others improve on doing it and I feel like this whole mess is really from the scalp changing and causing the DHT mess. Also I have been incorporating a full scalp exercise recently as I was able to get rid of my forehead creases with a face exercise+retina A so I figured it should help with balding too!

 

[AnxiousAndy]

This is just false. The vast majority of people in finasteride studies experienced regrowth, something like 80%. That means that some people won't be good responders to the med, but most will.

Yeah and the tooth fairy is real. I don't buy into the studies, if I got even a slow down of hair loss I would believe it but all it did was accelerate my balding.. Take a look at the forums, I see more people reporting finasteride isn't working than people benefitting from it.. Does that look like its working for almost everyone?
Also FYI the regrowth was only seen in 60% of the people in mercks studies tops.. It looks good on paper but it just doesn't work out that way in practice and many members here will agree.. Don't be so sure of yourself when you haven't even took finasteride.. Speak from experience, not the latter.

 

[reyl]

Yeah and the tooth fairy is real. I don't buy into the studies, if I got even a slow down of hair loss I would believe it but all it did was accelerate my balding.. Take a look at the forums, I see more people reporting finasteride isn't working than people benefitting from it.. Does that look like its working for almost everyone?
Also FYI the regrowth was only seen in 60% of the people in mercks studies tops.. It looks good on paper but it just doesn't work out that way in practice and many members here will agree.. Don't be so sure of yourself when you haven't even took finasteride.. Speak from experience, not the latter.

The majority of the people who take the drug don't post their experiences online. I know people in real life who definitely recovered their hairline and crown while on it and then a few where it didn't really help much. Using only the people who self-report issues is selection bias. This guy on reddit posted this in a random unrelated comment as his before/after(using finasteride): https://imgur.com/p0z3Wiu

Now if I didn't see that random comment which was in an unrelated forum, I would have never seen his success because it wasn't posted on here or /r/tressless or any the other "main" hairloss sites.

I don't actually need it right now as I've been maintaining fine on my own anti PGD2 regimen + pro PGE2 along with dermarolling. I just haven't updated my profile in a while. It works for me it probably won't work as well as finasteride would for most people so it would be irresponsible for me to suggest alternative methods when finasteride (and dutasteride) is the most proven and studied hairloss "cure".

 

[AnxiousAndy]

The majority of the people who take the drug don't post their experiences online. I know people in real life who definitely recovered their hairline and crown while on it and then a few where it didn't really help much. Using only the people who self-report issues is selection bias. This guy on reddit posted this in a random unrelated comment as his before/after(using finasteride): https://imgur.com/p0z3Wiu

Now if I didn't see that random comment which was in an unrelated forum, I would have never seen his success because it wasn't posted on here or /r/tressless or any the other "main" hairloss sites.

I don't actually need it right now as I've been maintaining fine on my own anti PGD2 regimen + pro PGE2 along with dermarolling. I just haven't updated my profile in a while. It works for me it probably won't work as well as finasteride would for most people so it would be irresponsible for me to suggest alternative methods when finasteride (and dutasteride) is the most proven and studied hairloss "cure".

dutasteride is a complete joke. I hear that claim all the time that people on finasteride don't post on forums and while I imagine its true for some, many likely would post initially to ask about side effects, etc. I was one of them. Don't know if you're aware that propecia was a commercial failure and didn't do half as good as was initially hoped. Sounds like a lot of success there with a 99%+ chance of complete regrowth eh? *sarcasm*
I'm glad you are finding success on your regimen, but please don't post misinformation, keep it real.

 

[reyl]

dutasteride is a complete joke. I hear that claim all the time that people on finasteride don't post on forums and while I imagine its true for some, many likely would post initially to ask about side effects, etc. I was one of them. Don't know if you're aware that propecia was a commercial failure and didn't do half as good as was initially hoped. Sounds like a lot of success there with a 99%+ chance of complete regrowth eh? *sarcasm*
I'm glad you are finding success on your regimen, but please don't post misinformation, keep it real.

Dutasteride is a complete joke

http://www.twinshairloss.com/ These guys would tell you otherwise (just scroll down).

I hear that claim all the time that people on finasteride don't post on forums and while I imagine its true for some, many likely would post initially to ask about side effects, etc.

None of the people I know at work post on forums. Justin Trudeau and Trump are both on it, do you think they went on forums for it?

Don't know if you're aware that propecia was a commercial failure and didn't do half as good as was initially hoped

I don't know if you're aware that in 2008 they made $429 million off of the drug, and $323.5 million off of proscar (just 5mg finasteride).

That doesn't sound like a commercial failure to me. That also doesn't count all the generic knockoffs that many people use which would make the sales a lot higher if they were. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/64978/000095012309003688/y74217e10vk.htm here is the report, do ctrl+f propecia

but please don't post misinformation, keep it real.

Strong words coming from the guy who told everyone to take oral minoxidil. but I am doing the exact opposite of that by looking at actual data, mixing it in with intuition and experience, rather than going off of forum posts only. People who have a problem are waaaay more likely to report a problem than people where it's working as intended. I don't doubt that it doesn't work for some or that some people have side effects that are more than minor, but for most people it does in fact work.

 

[Beowulf]

Strong words coming from the guy who told everyone to take oral minoxidil.

For the record my dermatologist put me on oral minoxidil, and up until recently it's worked wonderfully. Not that minoxidil is necessarily what it wrong with me at the moment.

 

[Beowulf]

Hes saying that because Oral intake of minoxidil goes systemic more often than topical. In addition, it isn't really targeting your specific areas of thinning, but rather taking a broad attempt at hair regrowth.

If you have frontal loss only, why make your entire scalp susceptible to Minoxidil growth dependency?

The debate 2 years ago was over people putting themselves in the hospital taking massive doses.

According to my dermo and the study he's following oral minoxidil doesn't cause dependency at all, you can apparently stop whenever you want without any hair fall. Additionally I didn't really have any shedding.

You seem to be implying that minoxidil replaces some type of natural growth structure within hair. I'm still looking into minoxidil and I'm more a student of psycINFO than Medline, but the answer is illusive.

Plus thicker hair all over? Yes please.

 

[fixthis]

If there has been no change in your hair then that means Finasteride is most likely working. I agree that it would be nice to see pics beforehand and afterward, but it is your choice.

Where are you mostly balding (temples or crown?) Crown is easier to regrow. I am a big proponent of scalp massage as I have seen others improve on doing it and I feel like this whole mess is really from the scalp changing and causing the DHT mess. Also I have been incorporating a full scalp exercise recently as I was able to get rid of my forehead creases with a face exercise+retina A so I figured it should help with balding too!

My crown is pretty thick I've mainly been receding from the front since I was 17 and a half , so 5 years of this agony. The problem with finasteride was even though I was on it for 9 months I was still receding and then when I took the side effects into consideration it was too much. Right now I'm thinking of going back on it after my exams but my erections are like noodles lol.

Yeah and the tooth fairy is real. I don't buy into the studies, if I got even a slow down of hair loss I would believe it but all it did was accelerate my balding.. Take a look at the forums, I see more people reporting finasteride isn't working than people benefitting from it.. Does that look like its working for almost everyone?
Also FYI the regrowth was only seen in 60% of the people in mercks studies tops.. It looks good on paper but it just doesn't work out that way in practice and many members here will agree.. Don't be so sure of yourself when you haven't even took finasteride.. Speak from experience, not the latter.

I think it does work for a lot of people but I've noticed my balding has also accelerated while I've been on finasteride. The dermatologist did say to me that it's a bit of a hit and miss for people, for some people it maintains and regrows but for others it does nothing.

 

[M.Piep]

Yeah and the tooth fairy is real. I don't buy into the studies, if I got even a slow down of hair loss I would believe it but all it did was accelerate my balding.. Take a look at the forums, I see more people reporting finasteride isn't working than people benefitting from it.. Does that look like its working for almost everyone?
Also FYI the regrowth was only seen in 60% of the people in mercks studies tops.. It looks good on paper but it just doesn't work out that way in practice and many members here will agree.. Don't be so sure of yourself when you haven't even took finasteride.. Speak from experience, not the latter.

***I have been on Finasteride for a prostate condition and hair loss, and noticing a hair loss diminishment, at 3 months and thin regrowth soon after. Fairly fully regrowth at 6 months. A year later back to normal, even bushier. My regiment is 5ml nightly in combination with doxazosin for enlarged prostate. My doctor prescribed night doses to reduce some of the side effects the next day.
>>> I was losing hair due to side effects of anti depressants. It was a happy circumstance that Finasteride doubles as hair loss and prostrate medication. I do have some problems climaxing but I compensate for that by using Libido Max, an herbal Testosterone enhancer that also works by opening vascular systems. Not recommended for people with heart ailments. I have found it online for as low as $18 for 75 gel tabs. Only problem is your body developed a tolerance for it. A year in I am at 4 tabs, starting from 1. Use On or near empty stomach an hour to 2 hours before performance time.
*** Other suggestions for sexual dysfunction is other male enhancers (v****, Cialis?) Also I have read that timing sexual activity when Finasteride is at it's lowest in your system, right before redosing. For instance; have at it with the body fun right before bedtime, then take your Finasteride dose.
*** Or as others have said in this forum, possibly reducing dosage/frequency.
Look up Testosterone enhancing foods, which include many types of nuts, Asian Mushrooms, cold water fish, and green leafy vegetables. Exercise, laughter, massage, sunshine help.
Finally, I found when I give the Male Enhancer a break, suggested every 3 weeks as I remember, going a few days to a week without sexual activity seems to prime the pump for a pretty hefty erection and orgasm. A not unpleasant side effect of the Libido Max is a increase in size. Start out with gentle dosages though.
***The effects and side effects of Finasteride and the male enhancer are subject to variables of a person's genetics and metabolism.
>>>I hope this helps you or someone out there.

The debate 2 years ago was over people putting themselves in the hospital taking massive doses.

According to my dermo and the study he's following oral minoxidil doesn't cause dependency at all, you can apparently stop whenever you want without any hair fall. Additionally I didn't really have any shedding.

You seem to be implying that minoxidil replaces some type of natural growth structure within hair. I'm still looking into minoxidil and I'm more a student of psycINFO than Medline, but the answer is illusive.

Plus thicker hair all over? Yes please.

My hair loss was front to middle and Finasteride slowed, then stopped hair loss and enabled healthy full regrowth in my case.

 

[AnxiousAndy]

My crown is pretty thick I've mainly been receding from the front since I was 17 and a half , so 5 years of this agony. The problem with finasteride was even though I was on it for 9 months I was still receding and then when I took the side effects into consideration it was too much. Right now I'm thinking of going back on it after my exams but my erections are like noodles lol.



I think it does work for a lot of people but I've noticed my balding has also accelerated while I've been on finasteride. The dermatologist did say to me that it's a bit of a hit and miss for people, for some people it maintains and regrows but for others it does nothing.

I would add something else in to counter the effects. Since adding in Cyproterone my shedding has decreased a bit but the damage from my half a year long shed is now rearing its ugly head.. Hopefully I can get maintenance soon.

 

[M.Piep]

My crown is pretty thick I've mainly been receding from the front since I was 17 and a half , so 5 years of this agony. The problem with finasteride was even though I was on it for 9 months I was still receding and then when I took the side effects into consideration it was too much. Right now I'm thinking of going back on it after my exams but my erections are like noodles lol.



I think it does work for a lot of people but I've noticed my balding has also accelerated while I've been on finasteride. The dermatologist did say to me that it's a bit of a hit and miss for people, for some people it maintains and regrows but for others it does nothing.

 

[1knox1]

The debate 2 years ago was over people putting themselves in the hospital taking massive doses.

According to my dermo and the study he's following oral minoxidil doesn't cause dependency at all, you can apparently stop whenever you want without any hair fall. Additionally I didn't really have any shedding.

You seem to be implying that minoxidil replaces some type of natural growth structure within hair. I'm still looking into minoxidil and I'm more a student of psycINFO than Medline, but the answer is illusive.

Plus thicker hair all over? Yes please.

Same. Due to start soon on a very low dose soon via my derm. Quite excited actually. What dosage did he put you on, mate?

 

[M.Piep]

For fixthis. Hello, . You mentioned having some problems with full hard erections, when on Finasteride. As I mentioned in posts elsewhere. I had/have a problem with coming at times with the medication. I note some guys that have some degrees of sexual dysfunction have some variation.
I use a great male enhancer that friends turned me on to. It is herbal and enhances testosterone and dialates vascular systems, allowing freer blood flow, especially to your male parts. Take 1-2 pills on a basically empty stomach. Do this an hour or so before you want to get into sexual activity. Usually a slight buzz and a tingling down in your crotch signals that the Libido Max(name, brand) is in your system and you are good to go, --er come. Park yourself in front of some hot images or your partner and have fun. Orgasms are intense and satisfying. Effects last 1½ to 2½ hours so if you are interrupted, you can still get back into the time window. Also if I was into it I found I could have multiple ejacs.
I have found it on EBay with different sellers ranging from $18 - $25 for a 75 geltab bottle. And less for a test pack. It puts you back in charge of your Libido and erections, and gets your stud back. This is not for people with heart problems or who are on heart medications. Have fun.

 

[M.Piep]

Erections are large and
Some people do have temporary midterm set backs but soon the medication gets to work in earnest and kicks some ***. At least now that you mention it I seem to remember some of that. Mostly it was forward progress; tentative at first but around 5-6 months things started going faster and stronger. I think I seem to remember my physcian telling me it slowly accumulates and saturates your system for full effectiveness. A simple but apt explanation. I have been on other medications for other things that have this accumulative build up effect for full operating status.

 

[M.Piep]

Oops I think an excerpt from a male enhancement post I was writing pasted in by accident on that last post.

 

[Beowulf]

Same. Due to start soon on a very low dose soon via my derm. Quite excited actually. What dosage did he put you on, mate?

I'm just on 1 mg, I started before they did the low doses. Been going good so far so no need to change.