Long term finasteride question

[kckckc]

If we start taking finasteride today, and it helps slow down the male pattern baldness process... and then let's say we use it for 10 years and then stop.

Will the male pattern baldness play 'catch up' and lose hair really fast or will male pattern baldness be 'delayed' because we used it 10 years ago, so it'll gradually resume the hair loss that the user experienced 10 years ago.

I'm not quite sure the best choice of words to use.

I think another way to explain this is, will male pattern baldness play 'catch up' once we stop taking finasteride or does male pattern baldness go into 'stasis' when we're using finasteride and will go out of 'statis' and resume balding normally once we stop?

Are there any disadvantages to delaying finasteride while trying to use minoxidil and RU58841 as a substitute?

[trying to avoid using finasteride as long as possible since once I'm in, it's going to be long term]

 

[lmao9955]

As soon as you notice first signs of hairloss, get on Finasteride. It will work until you balding genes will overpower it. For some it works for 15 years, 10 years, 5 years while for some it dosent work at all. We all respond differently to different drugs.
You won't know until you try it out.
Let's hope there is a cure for this **** in the next 10 years.

 

[xapato]

The wisdom of the crowd says that starting a 5ar inhibitor earlier gets you to a better place than starting it later. Another question is whether or not it makes a difference in the long run to quit taking a 5ar inhibitor now or later. If you're 35 now, will quitting finasteride now instead of 6 months from now make a difference to your hair when you're 40? I'm curious about that.

 

[kckckc]

I'm not sure anymore. My derm told me to hold off taking finasteride and use minoxidil only for the first 6 months. I have no idea whose advice I should take.

 

[xapato]

I read somewhere that, 10 years after starting finasteride, most men have more hair than before they started. Peak regrowth was something like 2 years after starting. This is speculative, but to me that means that, if you wait another six months or year, then your peak regrowth point will be slightly worse than if you start now. Even if it makes little to no difference to your result 10 years from now, I think we can guess that it will make a difference 2-3 years from now.

 

[lmao9955]

I'm not sure anymore. My derm told me to hold off taking finasteride and use minoxidil only for the first 6 months. I have no idea whose advice I should take.

It's a total personal choice. Would you mind taking a pill once a day or would want to apply a liquid or a faom twice a day? The latter is a hassle for most of the people. If I was in your place I would've started both at the same time. But if I was supposed to chose between a pill and a hassle, I would definitely go for once a day pill. Rogaine and stuff can be added to the regimen later after 6 months if you aren't happy with the thickening.

 

[Breyfogle]

Let's not forget it can wreak havoc on your ability to get and maintain an erection. I've been off it for five years because of that.

 

[kckckc]

Let's not forget it can wreak havoc on your ability to get and maintain an erection. I've been off it for five years because of that.

This is exactly why I'm a little hesitant about starting finasteride so early at age 26, I'll be reliant on it for a long time. If I can avoid any potential side effects (although I know a small % of people experience side effects), I'll rather go through the hassle of applying the foam twice a day.

- - - Updated - - -

I read somewhere that, 10 years after starting finasteride, most men have more hair than before they started. Peak regrowth was something like 2 years after starting. This is speculative, but to me that means that, if you wait another six months or year, then your peak regrowth point will be slightly worse than if you start now. Even if it makes little to no difference to your result 10 years from now, I think we can guess that it will make a difference 2-3 years from now.

How is it possible for men who were in to NW5 area to become a NW1.5 or NW2 even when they started finasteride so late in the game? That's the biggest question I have before starting finasteride. I'm not quite sure if finasteride has an effect on peak regrowth.