andy_mac87
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After 11 years, I’m at the end of my time on finasteride. I thought I’d share my story in case it helps others, as I know reading these helped me a lot when I was deciding what to do. Sorry it’s so long!
The problem
At around aged 21 I started noticeably thinning on top. My brother is nearly 3 years older than me and totally bald so I knew what I had coming. I’d get teased by friends, and my girlfriend of 7 years left me for someone else, so I was already depressed and not really ready to deal with balding too. The worst thing about balding so young is that girls your age aren’t used to it either, whereas I imagine when they’re in their 30s dating a bald guy isn’t that odd. I remember finally picking up the courage to chat to girls again, and one joked about my hairloss, everyone laughed and I felt sh*t, and it knocked my confidence back a long way. I’m sure you all know the feeling. I just wanted to kick the can 5 years or so down the road until I was better prepared to deal with hairloss. I never liked the idea of messing with my hormones long term.
The solution
I went to see a hair transplant guy. Not sure why but they advised finasteride instead. It would have cost me £50 a month or there abouts which I couldn’t really afford as a student. I did loads of research online, much of it on here, and I decided to get finasteride (I have always had Fincar) which I bought on United Pharmacies. I had about 5 month’s supply for £30 delivered to the UK.
Over the years i also used InHouse Pharmacy. Never had any problems with either.
I divided the 5mg tablets and took 1mg a day. About 4 years in I realised I could have 1mg every other day and still maintain.
I decided the risks were worth it because i feel that people are more likely to be vocal when they’re not happy – I’m more likely to write a review for a bad experience at a restaurant than a good one, I think that’s human nature. So I supposed there was an element of that in what you read about finasteride; the guys who got on fine with it just got on with life and didn’t tell anyone, the ones who had problems would always be on the forums. Also, correlation is not causation. Yes you’re depressed, but would you be depressed if you weren’t taking finasteride? How do you know the drug is the cause? Also if you convince yourself the medication is going to make you feel sh*t, then your mind will make you feel sh*t
The outcome
I kept my hair! In the first 3 month’s a lot grew back too. It was a lot thicker, people even noticed, only my temple area didn’t seem to improve. I was really happy. Over the 11 years my hair probably hasn’t changed. I can’t say there were any noticeable side effects.
However in 2016 I had a near death experience in which my face and right hand were hit with a microlight propeller. Consequently I’ve been left with a red 5 jnch scar on my face and some weakness to my upper lip. Also have an ugly skin graft on my hand. I’ve had loads of treatment which hasn’t improved the appearance of my scars. Obviously they make me have low self esteem and self conscious. I was just dating a girl at the time and she stuck by me through it all which showed me how amazing she is, and I eventually decided to marry her. It sounds awful but part of that decision was because I think a lot of girls would be put off dating a guy who looks like he’s been knifed, so I just couldn’t go back to dating again and I’d convinced myself she’s the one. I’m mentioning all this because it muddies the water regarding finasteride effects on my mental health.
The aftermath
3 or so years after the accident and I felt like I’d mentally recovered. But over the last 2 years or so I’ve really noticed that I suffer with generalised anxiety, low self-esteem and fatigue. I can also become irritable and angry. I realised all this can be linked to low testosterone levels so I took a test which showed I was at the low end of normal. Again, correlation is not causation but had years of finasteride gradually made these changes to my mental health? I’m less inclined to think it was the accident because I only started noticing it more recently.
Also, I think I have a less androgenic appearance than I should. I’m 33 but people guess I’m around 24. Sounds great but it’s not, especially as people assume I’m inexperienced in my work. I can’t grow muscle, have a hard time shifting fat, can’t grow a beard, have a tiny jaw, and don’t behave in an androgenic manner – like I’m not decisive and assertive. Could these be because I was taking finasteride while I was developing? Who knows, but my brother is quite the opposite.
The future
So I’m getting married in 2 months, then hope to have children after. I thought the wedding would be a good time to stop. I’d appreciate some help, and I know I need to research, but I didn’t want to come off instantly. I figured this could mess with my body and I’d rather shave my head and lose my hair more slowly so it’s not quite as obviously. I thought about taking 1mg twice a week for a few months, then one a month for another 3.
Is it really important to be off if trying for a baby too?
If you got this far, well done. I hope that’s been of some interest. If I had my time again I would still take finasteride, but maybe stop after 5 years. Who knows. Good luck to you all
The problem
At around aged 21 I started noticeably thinning on top. My brother is nearly 3 years older than me and totally bald so I knew what I had coming. I’d get teased by friends, and my girlfriend of 7 years left me for someone else, so I was already depressed and not really ready to deal with balding too. The worst thing about balding so young is that girls your age aren’t used to it either, whereas I imagine when they’re in their 30s dating a bald guy isn’t that odd. I remember finally picking up the courage to chat to girls again, and one joked about my hairloss, everyone laughed and I felt sh*t, and it knocked my confidence back a long way. I’m sure you all know the feeling. I just wanted to kick the can 5 years or so down the road until I was better prepared to deal with hairloss. I never liked the idea of messing with my hormones long term.
The solution
I went to see a hair transplant guy. Not sure why but they advised finasteride instead. It would have cost me £50 a month or there abouts which I couldn’t really afford as a student. I did loads of research online, much of it on here, and I decided to get finasteride (I have always had Fincar) which I bought on United Pharmacies. I had about 5 month’s supply for £30 delivered to the UK.
Over the years i also used InHouse Pharmacy. Never had any problems with either.
I divided the 5mg tablets and took 1mg a day. About 4 years in I realised I could have 1mg every other day and still maintain.
I decided the risks were worth it because i feel that people are more likely to be vocal when they’re not happy – I’m more likely to write a review for a bad experience at a restaurant than a good one, I think that’s human nature. So I supposed there was an element of that in what you read about finasteride; the guys who got on fine with it just got on with life and didn’t tell anyone, the ones who had problems would always be on the forums. Also, correlation is not causation. Yes you’re depressed, but would you be depressed if you weren’t taking finasteride? How do you know the drug is the cause? Also if you convince yourself the medication is going to make you feel sh*t, then your mind will make you feel sh*t
The outcome
I kept my hair! In the first 3 month’s a lot grew back too. It was a lot thicker, people even noticed, only my temple area didn’t seem to improve. I was really happy. Over the 11 years my hair probably hasn’t changed. I can’t say there were any noticeable side effects.
However in 2016 I had a near death experience in which my face and right hand were hit with a microlight propeller. Consequently I’ve been left with a red 5 jnch scar on my face and some weakness to my upper lip. Also have an ugly skin graft on my hand. I’ve had loads of treatment which hasn’t improved the appearance of my scars. Obviously they make me have low self esteem and self conscious. I was just dating a girl at the time and she stuck by me through it all which showed me how amazing she is, and I eventually decided to marry her. It sounds awful but part of that decision was because I think a lot of girls would be put off dating a guy who looks like he’s been knifed, so I just couldn’t go back to dating again and I’d convinced myself she’s the one. I’m mentioning all this because it muddies the water regarding finasteride effects on my mental health.
The aftermath
3 or so years after the accident and I felt like I’d mentally recovered. But over the last 2 years or so I’ve really noticed that I suffer with generalised anxiety, low self-esteem and fatigue. I can also become irritable and angry. I realised all this can be linked to low testosterone levels so I took a test which showed I was at the low end of normal. Again, correlation is not causation but had years of finasteride gradually made these changes to my mental health? I’m less inclined to think it was the accident because I only started noticing it more recently.
Also, I think I have a less androgenic appearance than I should. I’m 33 but people guess I’m around 24. Sounds great but it’s not, especially as people assume I’m inexperienced in my work. I can’t grow muscle, have a hard time shifting fat, can’t grow a beard, have a tiny jaw, and don’t behave in an androgenic manner – like I’m not decisive and assertive. Could these be because I was taking finasteride while I was developing? Who knows, but my brother is quite the opposite.
The future
So I’m getting married in 2 months, then hope to have children after. I thought the wedding would be a good time to stop. I’d appreciate some help, and I know I need to research, but I didn’t want to come off instantly. I figured this could mess with my body and I’d rather shave my head and lose my hair more slowly so it’s not quite as obviously. I thought about taking 1mg twice a week for a few months, then one a month for another 3.
Is it really important to be off if trying for a baby too?
If you got this far, well done. I hope that’s been of some interest. If I had my time again I would still take finasteride, but maybe stop after 5 years. Who knows. Good luck to you all
