Age: 48
Started taking 1.25 milligrams of finasteride per day (5 mg pills cut up into quarters) in June 2010, so have been taking for over 7 years, every day. Finasteride is the only drug I have taken during this time period
Results:
It hasn't been a miracle cure by any means, but it did slow down the hair loss quite a bit, and once I combined it with Rogaine 5% minoxidil, have had some great results. Mind you, I've been realistic in my expectations and have only wanted to stop the hair loss with possibly a little regrowth, which I've had. So, I'm happy with the combination.
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Side effects:
1. body hair has diminished greatly. Used to have back hair, don't anymore, hair on hands is gone as well. Only body hair remaining is chest hair, even hair on abdomen has decreased by at least 60%.
2. Sex drive has decreased over the years, but I'm in my 40s and approaching 50 now, so I don't think finasteride has much to do with that. I never noticed a sex drive decrease during the first 4 years. I haven't had any testosterone tests. Have never felt the need.
3. I developed osteoarthritis in one of my ankles at only 46 years old. Finasteride probably has nothing to do with this, and I didn't even bother mentioning finasteride to my podiatrist. Instead, chose to research it on the internet myself, and haven't found any correlation between finasteride and arthritis. I injured my ankle quite a bit in high school basketball, plus old airborne injury, so it's highly plausible my ankle condition is related to that.
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Conclusion: Im happy with the results and would definitely do it again if I could go back in time. I still take finasteride and have no plans on stopping. If I ever found out that my ankle condition is related to finasteride (which I highly doubt), then my stance would turn 180 degrees.